OSKALOOSA –The City of Oskaloosa has concluded the 2022-2023 urban bow deer hunt within city limits. The Oskaloosa Police Department was assisted with the administration of this hunting program by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Preparation for this hunting season began on August 8th, 2022, with the release of an informational news release. This news release outlined the program’s rules/regulations, season dates, and proficiency testing date. The dates set for the urban hunt were September 18th, 2022, through January 10th, 2023.
Hunters wishing to participate in this hunting season were required to attend, and pass, a bow-and-arrow proficiency test administered by the Oskaloosa Police Department. The Police Department held one testing date at The Gateway Church of the Nazarene located at 140 Gateway Drive, Oskaloosa, IA 52577. The testing date was Saturday, August 27th, 2022, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Seventeen hunters qualified to hunt during the 2022/2023 Oskaloosa Urban Deer Hunt.
This year, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources made 100 antlerless deer tags available to hunters for this program. During the 2022-2023 season, hunters harvested 11 deer. Of those 11 deer taken during this year’s hunting season, 0 were taken in Zone A, 3 were taken in Zone B, 0 were taken in Zone C, 8 were taken in Zone D, and 0 were taken in Zone E.
One investigation during the City Urban Deer Hunt revealed that a deer harvested in Mahaska County was tagged with an urban deer doe tag and reported to be harvested within the City of Oskaloosa. The claim was investigated by Officers of the Oskaloosa Police Department with the assistance of the Iowa DNR. The hunter was later cited for violations by the Iowa DNR. This hunter’s privilege to hunt deer within the City of Oskaloosa has been revoked. The rules and regulations of the Urban Deer Hunt Management program are clear and mandatory.
During the 2022-2023 Urban Deer Hunting season, the Oskaloosa Police Department received no complaints from citizens or hunters regarding this program. Anyone with questions regarding this program is encouraged to contact Officer Alexander Sirovy of the Oskaloosa Police Department by calling (641) 672-2559 or by emailing at alex.sirovy@oskaloosaiowa.org.
