City of Ottumwa issued the following announcement on Aug. 20.
As set by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the City of Ottumwa’s deer season for bow hunters will begin on September 12, 2020 and will run through January 10, 2021. The City’s deer hunting program was implemented in 2005 as a method to safely reduce the deer population within the city limits of Ottumwa.
Hunters interested in participating in the City’s deer season must possess a State of Iowa hunting license, a DNR Ottumwa deer tag from the Wapello County Recorder’s Office, and register with the City of Ottumwa through the Ottumwa Police Department. Hunters are required to pass an annual shooting proficiency test at Whitetail Archery in Agency, Iowa with the bow they will be
hunting with and must follow all rules and regulations prescribed by the DNR and the Chief of Police.
Hunters are reminded that they must maintain a minimum distance of one hundred fifty (150) feet from any occupied building while hunting, one hundred fifty feet (150) feet from any property owned by the Ottumwa Community School District, seventy-five (75) feet from any unoccupied building (unless permission is granted from the property owner), and seventy-five feet from any street or trail. Hunters may hunt along property lines (except property owned by the Ottumwa Community School District), but may not shoot across the property line without permission of the adjoining property owner. Finally, hunters are reminded that they cannot hunt on private property without the permission of the property owner.
Although in years past, the city deer season has been split into two (2) halves allowing hunters the opportunity to qualify for an incentive either sex license for the first and second half of the season. This year, like last will be a single season with the doe harvests from that season counting towards the following season’s incentive licenses. In order to qualify for the incentive
either sex license for the 2020-2021 season, a city deer hunter must have harvested at minimum, three (3) female deer (does) during the 2019-2020 season. This same standard applies for the 2020-2021 season.
A safety harness requirement was put into place during the 2015 season, and will remain in effect for hunters who choose to hunt on city property. Tree stand accidents are one of the leading causes of injury while hunting. According to the Iowa DNR, one in three hunters hunting from an elevated position will have a fall resulting in serious injury. For the 2020-2021 season,
hunters will be required to wear and secure a safety harness when hunting from a tree/tree stand on City owned property. It is encouraged that all hunters regardless of whether they are hunting on private or City property utilize a safety harness.
Hunters of all ages are encouraged to participate in this year’s season. Anyone with questions regarding the City’s deer hunting program, or this year’s season can contact Sgt. Blake Lefler at (641)683-0661. A list of rules and regulations will also be posted on the City of Ottumwa website; https://www.cityofottumwa.com/departments/police/deer_management/
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up