Polk deer herd breaks records

Special bow-hunting seasons have helped, but the hungry animals take a large toll on local plants.

By PERRY BEEMAN
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
05/05/2004

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The Des Moines area's deer population is at record levels, the latest count shows, devastating both decorative and woodland plants.

The boom came despite a series of special bow-hunting seasons designed to rein in the deer numbers.

Scientists flying in a helicopter in January found higher deer numbers in all but one of 13 Polk County zones where deer are counted each year.

Little stands in the way of the animals' proliferation. Iowa has few large predators - such as mountain lions - that eat deer.

"The only predators left are Fords, Buicks and Chevys," said Loren Lown, Polk County natural resources specialist.

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Wow! Maybe I should pay a visit to my cousin this fall. There's deer in them there woods.