The second shotgun season is wrapping up this weekend and an Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer is sharing information about how deer hunting seasons are going.

Conservation Officer Aaron Arthur tells Raccoon Valley Radio that statewide for both the first and second shotgun seasons through last weekend, there have been 31,880 deer harvested, which is down eight percent compared to last year. He talks about how the warmer weather is impacting deer hunting.

“Usually when snow is on the ground it’s easier for people to see the deer. Deer standing in the timber right now that are with the brown leaves on the ground and the background, they blend in fairly well. So you’re success is not as high, due to probably visibility.”     

Arthur states there have been five hunting incidents across Iowa for the shotgun seasons, including two property damage and three personal injury. He points out that because shotgun seasons involve group hunting, people are driving deer forward, and two of the three personal injury accidents were because someone shot at moving deer.

“So they’re focused on the deer, they’re shooting and not paying attention to what’s in front or beyond the target and that’s how people are getting injured. You know when hunting, follow the golden rule of firearm safety, always have it (the shotgun) pointed in a safe direction. When it’s time to shoot, make sure you know what’s in front of and beyond the target.”    

Arthur reminds shotgun hunters that they are required to wear at least a vest of solid blaze orange and he recommends wearing more than that to be more easily seen by other hunters. Second shotgun season ends Sunday.