The City of Ottumwa’s seventh deer season for bow hunters began on September 10, 2011 and recently concluded on January 29, 2012. During the season, thirty-six (36) hunters registered with the police department to participate in the program.  Fifty-eight (58) does, four (4) bucks, and four (4) button bucks for a total of sixty-six (66) deer were harvested during the four month season.  Last year, twenty-eight (28) hunters registered with forty-eight (48) deer harvested.  Two (2) hunters qualified for buck tags for next year’s season. 

 
The 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 612 deer have been harvested from within the city limits through the program.  The start of the City’s 2012/2013 deer season for bow hunters will be announced next summer.