Des Moines, IA- The state expert who tracks Iowa's deer population says the state herd has been healthy this year. The Iowa DNR's Tyler Harms tells Radio Iowa that Hemorrhagic Disease has been a problem in the past, but not this year. "The hemorrhagic disease has been pretty low this year so not a main concern of ours -- obviously chronic wasting diseases is still a big concern -- and we're continuing our intensive surveillance efforts across the state," he says. Harms says they've held several public information meetings on CWD. "In Jefferson, Iowa, Glenwood Iowa and Decorah, Iowa, all very well attended and very obvious that folks are concerned and passionate and willing to help with the management of this disease," Harms says. "We did also just have a virtual public meeting, had at about 225 folks attend that meeting as well. So, really grateful to our hunters and our citizens for taking an interest in learning more about what we all can do to slow the spread of that disease." The first shotgun deer season is underway now and wraps up on December 7th.