HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-2023 Deer Hunt Application Instructions-Rules-Info1
2022 – 2023 Iowa City Deer
Management Bow Hunt Program
Application Process and Instructions;
Rules; and Additional Information (7/27/22)
APPLICATION PROCESS AND INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for your interest in the Iowa City Deer Management Bow Hunt Program (“Bow Hunt Program”).
The 2022-2023 Bow Hunt Program season begins September 17, 2022 and ends January 10, 2023.
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.
• Property owners who are interested in providing land for bow hunting may contact the City’s hunt
coordinator (contact information on the next page). Contact information for interested property
owners will be provided to approved hunters. The list of interested property owners should be
considered a resource only. Expression of interest by a property owner does not replace the
required permission forms. Inclusion of a property owner’s contact information on the list does not
guarantee the property will be available for hunting. Hunters remain responsible for coordinating
hunt locations, securing all necessary permissions, and submitting required paper to the hunt
coordinator.
Application Process
• Private Property Bow Hunter applications will be available at www.icgov.org/deerprogram
beginning August 8, 2022 and closing on October 21, 2022. 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.
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• Applications must be e-mailed to 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 21,
2022. The hunter’s application must be approved prior to hunting if application is submitted after
October 21, 2022
• 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 10/1/19 is not eligible for the Bow Hunt Program.
• After applications are received, they will be processed by the Iowa City Police Department.
• Before hunting is allowed, Permission to Hunt on Private Property and Waiver of Separation forms
must be submitted and approved:
o 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.
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: diersen@iowa-city.org
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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”)
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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
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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 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.
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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
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 2022-2023 hunt to review rules
and discuss any additional details.
Buck Incentive Award Program:
2022-2023 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, 2023, the number of Buck Tags that may be awarded is unknown.
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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.
• A hunter who harvests 3 antlerless deer as described above will earn 1 Buck Incentive Tag for
the 2023-24 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 obligation 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.
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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.