Oskaloosa Urban Deer Management Season
This pair of deer was spotted within the city limits of Oskaloosa. (file photo)
An Oskaloosa Police Department Press Release
The City of Oskaloosa is preparing for the upcoming 2018/2019 Urban Deer Hunting season, to be held within the Oskaloosa city limits. The 2018/2019 hunting season will run from September 15th, 2018 through January 10th, 2019. During this season, qualified hunters will be allowed to harvest deer within the city limits using a hunting bow.
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, to qualify for this hunt. 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 “After Hours Archery” located at 216 North B Street. The dates and times for this testing are: Thursday, August 16, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 18, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.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 to participate in this program. A copy of these rules can be found on the city website.
During the previous season (2017/2018) hunters harvested 8 deer within the Oskaloosa City Limits. This was a 60% decrease from the 2016/2017 season when 20 deer were harvested. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has allotted up to 100 licenses to be used during the 2018/2019 city season.
Anyone with questions regarding this program are encouraged to contact Officer Gideon Kluge of the Oskaloosa Police Department by calling (641) 672-2557 or by email at gideon.kluge@oskaloosaiowa.org.
