TRENDS IN IOWA WILDLIFE POPULATIONS AND HARVEST 2016-2017 Iowa Department of Natural Resources Chuck Gipp, Director September 2017 TRENDS IN IOWA WILDLIFE POPULATIONS AND HARVEST 2016-2017 Compiled by: Peter Fritzell Chapters Prepared by: Tyler Harms White-Tailed Deer Jim Coffey Wild Turkeys Vince Evelsizer Furbearers Orrin Jones Waterfowl Todd Bogenschutz Upland Wildlife Stephanie Shepherd Greater Prairie Chicken Pat Schlarbaum Osprey Bruce Ehresman Sandhill Crane Stephanie Shepherd Bald Eagle Bruce Ehresman Barn Owl Vince Evelsizer Mountain Lion Vince Evelsizer Black Bear Vince Evelsizer Gray Wolf David Hoffman Trumpeter Swan Andrew Norton Bowhunter Observation Survey CONSERVATION & RECREATION DIVISION September 2017 Iowa Department of Natural Resources Chuck Gipp, Director TABLE OF CONTENTS White-Tailed Deer ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Historical Perspective ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 2016-2017 Hunting Season Results .................................................................................................................................. 2 Population Trend Surveys ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Outlook for 2017 .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 Figures .............................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Tables .............................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Wild Turkeys.......................................................................................................................................................................... 36 Historical Perspective ..................................................................................................................................................... 36 Spring Harvest Survey ..................................................................................................................................................... 36 Youth Turkey Season ...................................................................................................................................................... 37 Fall Harvest Survey ......................................................................................................................................................... 37 Brood Survey .................................................................................................................................................................. 39 Figures ............................................................................................................................................................................ 41 Tables .............................................................................................................................................................................. 45 Furbearers ............................................................................................................................................................................. 62 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 62 Historic Furbearer Harvest ............................................................................................................................................. 63 Licensed Furharvesters and Fur Dealers ........................................................................................................................ 64 Current Fur Market in Iowa ............................................................................................................................................ 64 2016-17 Furharvest Season in Iowa ............................................................................................................................... 64 Figures ............................................................................................................................................................................ 72 Tables .............................................................................................................................................................................. 96 Waterfowl Management, Seasons, and Harvests in Iowa .................................................................................................. 109 Duck Breeding Populations .......................................................................................................................................... 110 Giant Canada Goose Population ................................................................................................................................... 110 Waterfowl Harvests ...................................................................................................................................................... 110 Waterfowl Seasons ....................................................................................................................................................... 111 Waterfowl Banding ....................................................................................................................................................... 111 Figures .......................................................................................................................................................................... 112 Tables ............................................................................................................................................................................ 115 Upland Wildlife ................................................................................................................................................................... 137 Historical Summary of Populations and Harvest .......................................................................................................... 137 Figures .......................................................................................................................................................................... 142 Tables ............................................................................................................................................................................ 148 Wildlife Restoration 2016-2017 activities ........................................................................................................................... 171 Greater Prairie Chicken Restoration ............................................................................................................................. 171 Trumpeter Swan Restoration ....................................................................................................................................... 180 Sandhill Cranes in Iowa ................................................................................................................................................. 187 Osprey Restoration ....................................................................................................................................................... 191 Bald Eagle Restoration .................................................................................................................................................. 199 Barn Owl Restoration ................................................................................................................................................... 205 Status of Selected Other Species in Iowa............................................................................................................................ 216 Mountain Lion/Cougar Status in Iowa 1995-2016 ....................................................................................................... 216 Black Bear Status in Iowa (2001-Present) .................................................................................................................... 220 Gray Wolf (Timber Wolf) Status in Iowa (2001-Present) ............................................................................................. 224 Prior Restorations (without 2016-2017 activities) .............................................................................................................. 227 2016 Bow Hunter Observation Survey ................................................................................................................................ 228 i WHITE-TAILED DEER Historical Perspective White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were reported to be abundant when European settlers arrived in Iowa in the early 1800’s. Although the clearing and cultivating of land for agriculture may have initially improved the suitability of the landscape for deer, uncontrolled exploitation for food and hides rapidly reduced deer numbers. By 1880 deer were rarely sighted in much of the state and in 1898