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DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- The Department of Natural Resources is considering holding an extra deer hunting season in December to further reduce the state's deer population.

The agency will review the proposal at its meeting Thursday.

Richard Leopold, the agency's director, said severe weather has deterred deer hunters and put the state behind in its goals of reducing the state's deer herd. About 34,000 less deer have been hunted this year compared to 2006, according to agency statistics.

The proposed season would be December 21-23 and would be available to licensed hunters.

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