Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-2022 Deer Hunt Application Instructions1 2021 – 2022 Iowa City Deer Management Bow Hunt Program Application Process and Instructions; Rules; and Additional Information (7/21/21) APPLICATION PROCESS AND INSTRUCTIONS Thank you for your interest in the Iowa City Deer Management Bow Hunt Program (“Bow Hunt Program”). The 2020-2021 Bow Hunt Program season begins September 18, 2021 and ends January 10, 2022. Below you will find the steps necessary to complete the application process. Please pay close attention to the opening and closing dates as paperwork submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Where Can You Hunt •Hunters must own property or have permission to hunt property which meets the Iowa City regulations. •The Iowa City Police Department does NOT provide or solicit land for hunters to utilize. Application Process •Private Property Bow Hunter applications will be available at www.icgov.org/deerprogram beginning August 9, 2021 and closing on November 5, 2021. Application packets may also be picked up seven days a week at the front desk of the Iowa City Police Department at 410 E. Washington Street. •Online applications are available as a fillable PDF and can be completed digitally or downloaded and handwritten. Any application received that is not legible or complete will be returned prior to processing. •A copy of the hunter’s Iowa DNR Hunting License must be included with the application. •Applications must be e-mailed to zach-diersen@iowa-city.org or delivered to the Iowa City Police Department (410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240), by no later than 5pm on October 20, 2021. The hunter’s application must be approved prior to hunting if application is submitted after October 20, 2021. Applications submitted after October 20, 2021 will not be accepted. •A person who has been convicted of or received a deferred judgment for a violation of a fish and game provision for an incident that occurred since 10/1/18 is not eligible for the Bow Hunt Program. 2 • After applications are received, they will be processed by the Iowa City Police Department. Hunters must notify landowners of a possible on-site inspection by the hunt coordinator (Lt. Zach Diersen) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), to confirm the location meets all regulations. • Before hunting is allowed, Permission to Hunt on Private Property and Waiver of Separation forms must be submitted and approved: o It is the responsibility of the hunter to obtain the signatures of property owners. o Completed forms must be e-mailed to zach-diersen@iowa-city.org or delivered to the Iowa City Police Department (410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240) BEFORE any hunting occurs. • Hunters will be notified with the decision of their application. If approved, hunters must pass an annual archery proficiency test using their compound bow or crossbow if applicable. This test will be proctored by the Iowa City Fin and Feather and additional details will be provided with the application decision. If you have any questions, please contact the hunt coordinator: Lt. Zach Diersen Iowa City Police Department Office Phone: 319-356-5276 Email: zach-diersen@iowa-city.org 3 Hunter Checklist APPLICATION (REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED) Application packets are available at www.icgov.org/deerprogram or can be picked up at the Iowa City Police Department (410 E. Washington Street). All materials can be e-mailed to zach.diersen@iowa- city.org or dropped off at the police station. ☐ Read “Application Process and Instructions; Rules; and Additional Hunter Information” ☐ Bow Hunt Application (Form #1) ☐ Copy of valid Iowa DNR Hunting License HUNTING LOCATION FORMS (REQUIRED BEFORE HUNTING) These may be submitted at the time of application, but are not required until before hunting occurs. Please allow time for approval. Forms received after the start of the hunting season will not be considered valid until they are approved. ☐ Permission to Hunt on Private Property Form (Form #2) ☐ Waiver of Separation Form(s), if required (Form #3) – No more than 3 waivers of separation allowed. ☐ Map of Planned Hunt Location AFTER APPLICATION APPROVAL (REQUIRED BEFORE HUNTING) ☐ Archery Proficiency Test (Conducted by Fin and Feather) DURING HUNTING (REQUIRED TO CARRY WHILE HUNTING) ☐ Valid Iowa DNR Hunting License ☐ Urban Deer License/Tags ☐ Copy of Signed Permission to Hunt on Private Property Form AND signed Waver of Separation Form(s), if required ☐ Picture ID AFTER DEER HARVEST (REQUIRED) ☐ Completed Antlerless Deer Harvest Confirmation Report (Form #4) ☐ Report with Iowa DNR (Please see below under “Additional Information”) ☐ Visual confirmation and report with ICPD (Please below under “Additional Information”) 4 RULES The hunter must: Be at least 18 years old or older on the day of the hunt. Take all shots at least six (6) feet up in a manufactured elevated stand which has an approved safety harness; each hunter is encouraged to use a TMA or ASTM certified harness. NOT shoot within 150 feet (50 yards) or less of a home, building, or property line. NOT shoot back into the distance separation; except: (1) when hunting own property while adhering to distance requirement from adjoining property owner home, building, and property line; and (2) other property owners(s) waives distance requirement in written statement filed with the City. NOT position or use an elevated stand within 150 feet (50 yards) of any recreation trail, road, park, school, sidewalk, or right-of-way; and NO shot shall be taken that may cross or enter into the same. Shoot downward and no further than 75 feet (25 yards) from an elevated stand. NOT shoot a spotted fawn. Not bait or feed. Baiting and feeding are prohibited. Attempt to retrieve every arrow. Case all bows while traveling to and from the site to the hunting stand. Must own property or have permission to hunt property which meets the Bow Hunt Program rules. Follow DNR Hunting guidelines, except when the City regulations are more restrictive than State regulations. Follow HUSH (Help Us Stop Hunger) drop-off guidelines. Must promptly report to the Hunt Coordinator any hunting activity that is observed which violates these rules or any state or local law. Carry picture ID Separation Requirement: Hunter shall not hunt within 150 feet of a home, building, or property line UNLESS the property owner or authorized manager of the property waives that separation requirement in writing. The 5 Waiver of Separation Requirement form must be filed with the City. The separation requirement applies to homes, buildings, and property lines on the property being hunted as well as homes, buildings, and property lines adjoining properties. If the property requires more than three waivers, the property cannot be hunted. Adjoining property means all parcels of property that share a property line with the property to be hunted including properties that contact each other only at one point. Hunting License – Urban Deer /Tag – Permission Form(s): While hunting within the City of Iowa City ALL hunters must carry their Iowa DNR hunting license, Urban Deer License/Tags, and the permission form associated with the property being hunted. If Waiver of Separation forms are required, they must be carried as well. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Iowa City Police Department will be conducting checks throughout the season. Any hunter not having the proper documentation on their person will be subject to removal from the program and/or subject to citation. Reporting Process to Confirm Harvested Deer: All deer harvested within the City of Iowa City must be reported to the IDNR AND the City of Iowa City Police Department. To report a harvested deer under the City’s Bow Hunt Program, please follow these steps before transporting the deer off the property. 1. Mandatory Harvest Reporting for Deer: Hunters who harvest a deer must report the harvest to the IDNR by midnight on the day after it is tagged, or before taking it to a locker or taxidermist, or before processing it for consumption, or before transporting it out-of-state, whichever occurs first. The hunter whose name is on the tag is responsible for making the report. Failure to report or reporting falsely may result in a misdemeanor citation and possible loss of hunting privileges. 2. Registering Harvested Deer with The City of Iowa City: Hunters must register the deer with the City by calling 319-356-5276 and requesting an officer meet them at their vehicle prior to leaving the hunt location. 3. Report Hit Non-Recovered Deer: Just as IDNR regulations requires you to report deer hit but not recovered, you will also must report this with your hunt coordinator. Please leave your name, time and date, area hunting, area deer last seen, sex of deer, and area of deer struck. This must be done within 12 hours of not locating the injured deer. Email is the preferred method of contact. Avoid Confrontation with the Public: If anyone confronts you in a harassing manner while you are attempting to hunt, DO NOT engage in any threatening behavior, back talking, etc. Instead, call the Joint Emergency Communication Center at 319-356-6800, request an officer to respond, and attempt to remove yourself from the situation. The incident must also be reported to the hunt coordinator via email or phone call immediately. Interaction with Law Enforcement, City Employees, and Public: Hunters must at all times be respectful and cooperative with any Law Enforcement Official, City Employee, and/or the Public. Any verbal or written 6 complaints of hunter(s) displaying rude or disrespectful behavior will be investigated. Hunters found not being respectful and cooperative will be removed from the program immediately. Additional Rules: • Legal weaponry for all hunting allowed during this season shall be restricted to compound bows and arrows, except that a hunter with a qualifying disability as defined by IDNR regulations be allowed to use a crossbow as defined and limited by the IDNR. • A hunter shall not dispose of any animal part on a public property, including roadside ditches. Entrails, bone and unusable parts of the deer can be disposed of in the trash if it is bagged in plastic. This applies to the City of Iowa City. If you live outside the City, consult your garbage collection service for proper disposal guidelines. • Deer must be covered during transport. • Hunt location will not be approved if more than three Waiver of Separations to the 150-foot rule are required. • Hunting under the influence of drugs or alcohol will result in suspension of Urban Bow Hunt privilege. • No driving or stalking of deer is permitted. • Hunters should attempt to contact property owners before entering private property to track or retrieve injured or dead deer. • No property may be hunted by more than 4 hunters. • Tree stands cannot be erected sooner than 7 days prior to the hunt and must be removed within 7 days after the hunt. • Only 3 tags to be issued at a time. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The hunt coordinator will contact approved hunters by phone prior to the 2021-2022 hunt to review rules and discuss any additional details. Buck Incentive Award Program: 2021-2022 Program: The IDNR is the sole authority to determine the number of Buck tags which will be awarded to the Bow Hunt Program. This is based on the total number of antlerless deer harvested under the City’s Bow Hunt Program during the previous season. Therefore, until the upcoming season is completed on January 10, 2022, the number of Buck Tags that may be awarded is unknown. To ensure participation in the City’s “Buck Incentive Award Program”, a hunter must harvest 3 antlerless deer in Iowa City’s Deer Management Zone. Button bucks, spike bucks, and shed bucks do not qualify as one of the three antlerless deer. 7 • A hunter who harvests 3 antlerless deer as described above will earn 1 Buck Incentive Tag for the 2022-23 City of Iowa City’s Bow Hunt Program. • Only 1 Buck Tag will be awarded per qualifying hunter and only reported, registered and confirmed Antlerless Deer Harvest Confirmation Reports will be utilized for this count. • Buck Tags earned are not transferable and can only be utilized within the City of Iowa City. Note: In the event the IDNR changes their ratio for awarding Buck Incentive Tags, a special drawing will be held. For this drawing, only a hunter who harvested 3 antlerless deer as described above will have their name placed in the drawing. The names will then be drawn until the number of Buck Incentive Tags are utilized. Example: 8 eligible hunters – IDNR award 7 Buck Tags – All eight names will be placed in drawing – The first 7 names drawn receive the Buck Tag for the following season – 1 hunter will not be awarded a Buck Tag. Please be aware, the City of Iowa City’s Bow Hunt Program is reviewed annually by the City Council. The City is under NO obligations to renew the special bow hunt for antlerless deer after 2023-2024 season. In other words, although your name may be selected for a Buck Tag, there is no guarantee the antlerless deer bow hunt will be conducted the following season. ALL hunters must remember, participating in the Bow Hunt program is a PRIVILEGE AND NOT A RIGHT. Poaching: Should you see possible poaching, please call the Joint Emergency Communication Center at 319-356-6800 or 911. Be prepared to give your location and detailed information regarding the circumstances. H.U.S.H. – Help Us Stop Hunger: Any hunter can donate any legally taken, field-dressed deer to any of the participating HUSH lockers. For updates, visit www.iowahush.com. HUSH program lockers have been advised to contact the local hunt coordinator and the IDNR regarding deer improperly dropped off. Hunters violating HUSH drop-off standards and or spoiled meat will be subject to removal from the program. Please take the ethical steps to ensure your deer has been preserved properly. Post-Harvest Suggestions: These reminders will help you safely preserve the deer for your personal use, as preparation for your locker of choice to process for you, or for the HUSH program. Remember, you harvested the animal and it is your legal responsibility is to keep the meat from spoiling. Each day you prepare to hunt, you should consider whether you have enough time to properly recover and take care of your harvest or not. If you don’t -- you should not hunt that day. 8 Every harvest: • Remove the entrails as soon as possible and before taking it to the locker. Proper techniques can be viewed online if needed. Cooperate with the property owner regarding the disposal of entrails. Have a plan before the harvest that fits your hunt location. • Remove reproductive organs, clean out the chest cavity/rinse with water, split the pelvis and remove anal cavity/rinse with water. • Keep chest cavity open and hind legs open to ensure quick cooling. • Minimize exposure to sunlight, rain and dirt. When temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit: • Purchase and use a large tote or sled to minimize clean-up for the following; • Place 5 lb. bags of ice or frozen 1-gallon milk jugs of water in chest cavity and between the split pelvis. Replace every 24 hours, or sooner if air temperature is high. • Place iced deer on garage floor, this will help pull the heat out of the animal. • Process as soon as possible or get your deer to the locker as soon as possible -- at least within 24 hours. If dropping off your deer at a locker, follow their directive on preparation. Public Records • The forms completed by owners and hunters are public records with limited exception such as driver license information.