The City of Oskaloosa is preparing for the upcoming 2015/2016 Urban Deer Hunting season, to be held within the Oskaloosa city limits. The 2015/2016 hunting season will run from September 19th, 2015 thru January 10th, 2016. 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{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 3rd from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 5th from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Any hunter interested in participating in this hunting season must attend, and pass, one of these proficiency tests. Hunter’s 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 available on the City of Oskaloosa website.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has allotted up to 200 licenses to be used during the 2015/2016 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.