Potato Creek State Park in North Liberty is among several facilities scheduled to close next week for the first of two planned deer reduction hunts this season. Others include Clifty Falls, Fort Harrison, Harmonie, Lincoln, McCormick’s Creek, Ouabachie, Pokagon, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Tippecanoe River, Turkey Run and Whitewater Memorial.
All will close Sunday night and reopen Wednesday morning. Only hunters drawn last September and those hunters they listed on their applications may participate. No standby drawings are scheduled this year.
DNR biologists determine which parks require reductions each year based on habitat recovery and previous harvest rates. Reductions help control browsing by deer to a level that helps maintain habitat throughout the state parks for all plants and animals. Last year 1,004 deer were harvested at 19 state parks.
The second deer reduction hunt of the season will take place Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
