OSKALOOSA URBAN DEER MANAGEMENT SEASON
This deer is seen passing by housing on the southern part of Oskaloosa in May of this year. (photo by Ken Allsup)
Oskaloosa, Iowa – For the third year in a row, the City of Oskaloosa is preparing for the upcoming 2012/2013 Urban Deer Hunting season, to be held within the Oskaloosa city limits. The 2012/2013 hunting season will run from September 15th, 2012 thru January 20th, 2013. During this season, qualified hunters will be allowed to harvest deer within the city limits using bows and arrows.
Bow hunters interested in participating in this hunting season are required to pass an archery proficiency test, consisting of 5 shots, made from 20 yards. Hunters must score at least 80% accuracy within an 8-inch circle target. Hunters are allowed two attempts to pass this test.
Two testing dates have been set for this upcoming season. This testing will be held at The First Church of the Nazarene “Fellowship Building” located at 201 Hope Street (directly east of the “Alternative Building” in the 200 block of South 11th Street). The dates and times for this testing are: Thursday, September 6th from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 8th from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Any hunter interested in participating in this hunting season must attend, and pass, one of these proficiency tests. Hunters need to bring a current form of identification and their current/valid Iowa Hunting License with them to this testing.
The Oskaloosa Urban Deer Management Program has an established set of rules, which each hunter must follow. A copy of these rules is attached to this release.
During the previous season (2011/2012) hunters harvested 32 deer within the Oskaloosa City limits. This was a 60% increase from the 2010/2011 season when 20 deer were harvested. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has allotted up to 200 licenses to be used during the 2012/2013 city season.
Anyone with questions regarding this program is encouraged to contact Lt. Russ Van Renterghem, of the Oskaloosa Police Department, by calling (641) 673-3201 ext. 5916 or by email at: russ.vanrenterghem@oskaloosaiowa.org.
