T-R FILE PHOTO Deer hunting in Marshall County begins Saturday and will last through Wednesday. Hunters can expect some pleasant weather as they search for deer to shoot, such as these does spotted in Marshall County in December 2019.

The first day of gun season is shaping up to be unseasonably warm.

Deer hunting begins Saturday and the season ends Wednesday. The second gun season is Dec. 12-20.

Hunters can expect some clouds in the morning before clearing up with highs around 50 degrees Saturday. There will be a slight wind, about 5-10 miles, coming from the northwest.

On Sunday, the clouds are likely to persist throughout the day with lows in the 30s and highs in the 50s.

Tyson Brown, state conservation officer for Marshall County, said people can expect deer to be on the move for food early in the morning and evening and hunkering down throughout the middle part of the day.

“There’s still a few does getting chased, but those bucks are really concentrating on food,” Brown said. “They’ll lose about 20 pounds during their rut.”

Brown will traverse the county through the weekend as part of his regular seasonal patrol. During this time he and other game wardens will make sure hunters are complying with safety precautions such as donning blaze orange vests and jackets. They will also check licenses, fees and guns.

Marshall County Conservation Director Mike Stegmann is a solo hunter, but said hunting is one of the activities which should not be heavily impacted by COVID-19.

“Since you’re outside, you can distance yourself from others. Some blinds you hide in where you’ll be in close proximity, typically with family or close friends,” he said. “That’s another element people may not take into consideration this year which they should.”

Stegmann has noticed an increase in the use of the county’s public park and wildlife areas during the pandemic. People are getting out to canoe, kayak and fish — which was extended into the fall this year.

Stegmann offered some advice for preparing your big day in the grove or field. Among the most important pieces of advice was to plan well ahead. He said many hunters scout their hunting grounds and acquire permission from landowners months, even a year ahead of time.

When asking a landowner for permission to hunt their land, rule number one is to be polite.

“Just be as polite as possible. You’re asking permission for you to go into — for all practical purposes — someone’s backyard,” Stegmann said. “A lot of times those people hunt. If they deny permission just roll with punches and move on.”

It’s also important to be transparent with landowners.

“Tell them what you want to do; when you’re going to be out there; how many people are in your group,” Stegmann added. “If they think it’s just you and you show up with a group of 10-to-12 people, that’s not good practice.”

Of course safety is one of the most important things on the minds of Stegmann and Brown. Along with wearing the proper colors to make themselves visible, hunters must also be dressed for the elements. This weekend is looking warm but the weather changes fast.

“Be prepared for the elements. Be aware of your surroundings which in this case – are there other hunters in the area,” Stegmann said.

Brown said one of the most common ways hunters are injured or property is damaged in gun-related hunting accidents is when a bullet passes through the deer. He also warns to use caution when shooting uphill because no one knows what might be on the other side.

“Just be safe with your shots out there,” Brown said.

The highest number of reported injuries each year relates to falls from tree stands and deer blinds, according to Stegmann.

“Make sure you have that harness on. Think back to your hunter safety course that you took,” he said. “Make yourself a checklist. Do you have the proper clothing? Is your firearm safe? Do you handle your firearm safely? Do you have permission, a safety harness, first aid kit? Make that checklist.”

QUESTIONS

For hunting related questions or concerns in Marshall County, contact state conservationist Tyson Brown at 641-751-5246 or conservation director Mike Stegmann at 641-752-5490.

PUBLIC LAND

Public land managed by Marshall County Conservation authorized for hunting includes Timmons Grove North, Iowa River Wildlife Management Area, Arney Bend, Forest Reserve, Marietta Sand Prairie Preserve, Klauenberg Prairie Reserve and Stanley Mill Wetland Mitigation Site. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources manages Hendrickson Marsh which is primarily in Story county but crosses the county line.