(Ottumwa, Iowa) – The City of Ottumwa’s thirteenth deer season for bow hunters began on September 16, 2017 and recently concluded on January 10, 2018. During the season, thirty-four hunters registered with the police department to participate in the program. During the four month season, forty four (44) does, one (1) buck, and one (1) button buck were harvested bringing the total harvest number to forty six (46). Nine (9) hunters qualified for buck tags that will be issued during for the 2018/2019 season next fall.

The Ottumwa city deer hunting program was started in the fall of 2005 as a means to reduce the deer population in Ottumwa. Since then, a total of 863 deer have been harvested from within the city limits through the program. The start of the City’s 2018/2019 deer season for bow hunters will be announced this summer.