For the seventh year in a row, the City of Oskaloosa is preparing for the upcoming 2016/2017 Urban Deer Hunting season to be held within the Oskaloosa city limits. The 2016/2017 hunting season will run from September 17th, 2016 thru January 10th, 2017. During this season, qualified hunter 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{99cd714f394079a7f0ed2eb1518dd31342ff3ceb5b6c267c3ad8acd5b5a7d66b} 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, September 1st from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 3rd from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Any Hunter interested in participating in this hunting season must attend, and pass, one of these proficiency test. Hunter 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 is attached to this release.
During the previous season (2015/2016) hunters harvested 17 deer within the Oskaloosa City limits. This was a 11{99cd714f394079a7f0ed2eb1518dd31342ff3ceb5b6c267c3ad8acd5b5a7d66b} decrease from the 2014/2015 season when 19 deer were harvested. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has allotted up to 100 licenses to be used during the 2016/2017 city season. This is a decrease from the 200 licenses allotted for the previous years.
Anyone with questions regarding this program in 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 or Officer David Wilke, of the Oskaloosa Police Department, By calling (641) 673-3201 ext. 5906 or by email at: david.wilke@oskaloosaiowa.org
Story provided by Osky News
