Hunting Archery Duck Deer

Bow hunting in Ottumwa (OTTUMWA) On Tuesday night, Ottumwa City Council Members unanimously approved a city ordinance to allow bow hunting inside city limits.

Tuesday morning, opponents of the measure handed in a petition to the city clerk’s office containing 195 signatures from city residents who say allowing bow hunting in Ottumwa is not safe.

Ottumwa Police Chief Dennis Massey told the council the bow hunting issue began when concerned citizens told police something had to be done about the deer overpopulation.

Massey says the city has looked at other towns like Dubuque and Coralville who have seen great success controlling deer populations by allowing bow hunting in their cities.

“What we’re going to end up with, the other towns tell me that have this type of program, is about 25 to 35 dedicated hunters that know what they’re doing, and they are very safety conscious. They try to take shots of 20 yards or less,” Massey said.

Council member Frank Fisher says he enjoys the deer, but admits there are too many.

“My wife and I, we’ll drive of an evening and look at the deer, however if I was getting my shrubs totally torn up and my yard, that a lot of people put a lot of time and money in, I would have some concern. We do have a tremendous amount of deer overpopulation,” Fisher said.

One concerned citizen spoke out at the meeting saying that some hunters disregard regulations now and asked how police will control bow hunters inside city limits?

“This isn’t a good thing; this is not a good thing for the safety of the people in this city; I understand there is a problem with the deer; we have an excess amount of deer, and I know that, but this is not the solution,” Ottumwa resident Sharon Richards said.

The council voted 5-0 to approve the third reading and to pass and adopt the bow hunting ordinance.

Massey says he will meet with the council in a work session on Monday to suggest and go over several rules and regulation regarding the use of bows and arrows in Ottumwa.