The University of Iowa again is cooperating with the City of Iowa City’s Deer Population Management Project. The latest deer management plan, which was approved by the Iowa City Council in August, calls for one season of sharpshooting deer from Dec. 1, 2019, to March 31, followed by four years of public bow hunts. The city has hired a certified wildlife biologist to coordinate the implementation of this plan using safe, efficient, and humane methods as approved and authorized by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
This is a city-wide initiative, and some outlying wooded areas owned by the university will be included:
- Wooded area from Hawkins Drive to Mormon Trek Boulevard, including Lower Finkbine Trail (south of softball and track complex bordering Highway 6)
- Wooded area north of Finkbine Golf Course
- Wooded area bordering Ashton Cross County Course
- Wooded area west of UI Sports Medicine Clinic (near Melrose Avenue at Hawkeye Park Road and Hawkeye Drive)
The safety of students, faculty, staff, and public is the university’s top priority, especially for members of UI community who may live, work, or study near these areas. In order to ensure safety, the UI recommends avoiding the areas listed above during periods of sharpshooting activity, on the following days and times, weather dependent:
- 3 to 11 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24
- 3 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26
- 3 to 11 p.m. Thursday, March 5
- 3 to 11 p.m. Sunday, March 8
- 3 to 11 p.m. Monday, March 9
- 3 to 11 p.m. Monday, March 16
No sharpshooting activity will be allowed on dates of men’s and women’s basketball games or wrestling meets at Carver Hawkeye Arena.
Additional reminders and information will be shared on the City of Iowa City website. Impacted parks will be closed while deer management activity is underway, and signage will be posted in the area when sharpshooting activity is taking place. You can find park closure details at www.icgov.org/deerproject.
More details about the plan can be found on the City of Iowa City website.