HomeMy WebLinkAboutA022 - September 8, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City CouncilITEM #:22
DATE:09-08-26
DEPT:POLICE
SUBJECT:URBAN DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - BOW HUNTING
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Over the past several decades, Ames has experienced citizen complaints about deer damage,
vehicle-deer collisions, and other issues associated with deer within the city.
In an attempt to address these concerns, a Special Urban Deer Task Force (SUDTF) was
convened in 2006. The City ordinance establishing the SUDTF requires an annual report to
the City Council. Previous Task Force recommendations to the City Council have included an
annual survey of deer populations, a ban on deer feeding, public education efforts, and limited
urban bow hunting of deer. In 2021, the reporting frequency was amended to once every five
years.
The City Ordinance prescribes the membership categories of the Urban Deer Task
Force who are charged with making recommendations to the City Council:
a. One or more representatives from Iowa State University with expertise in animal
ecology, entomology, or other relevant fields.
b. A wildlife management specialist from the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources.
c. A representative from the Izaak Walton League.
d. One or more representatives from Neighborhood Groups or Associations in City
Deer Management Zones.
e. A representative from the Story County Conservation Board.
f. A representative from the City of Ames Animal Control office.
g. A representative from the City of Ames Parks & Recreation Commission.
h. The City’s hunter coordinator.
The following are the members of the 2026 Urban Deer Task Force:
Dr. Adam Janke - Associate Professor, Extension Wildlife Specialist and Associate Director,
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Andy Kellner - Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Jake Strohm - Izaak Walton League
Max Rothschild - Citizen Representative
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Jerry Keys - Story County Conservation Board
Ron Edwards - City of Ames, Supervisor for Animal Services
Kathy Pike - City of Ames, Animal Services Officer
Janet Rathe - Ames Parks & Recreation Commission
Sergeant Derek Grooters - City of Ames Police Department, City's Hunter Coordinator
Geoff Huff - Chief of Police, City of Ames Police Department
Urban deer hunting has been conducted in a limited number of locations under special rules
administered by the Police Department. All participants must purchase a special tag and
register with the Police Department. Rules also require participants to pass a safety
course, proficiency test, hunt only from tree stands (elevated) situated at least 85 feet
from trails, and limit shots to 75 feet or less.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) establishes "legal hunting hours" (one-half
hour before sunrise that continue to one-half hour after sunset) and the "dates" for the City of
Ames. However, the City can modify these hours and dates as long as they fall within the
overall DNR timeline for hunting.
The following chart illustrates the results of the Urban Deer Hunt for the past seven years. The
increase in deer harvested in 2025 is due to the addition of the Munn Woods area.
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Permits
Issued 22 21 15 17 20 16 23
Deer
Harvested 22 24 15 15 12 14 34
An aerial count of deer is generally conducted by the DNR under a cost-sharing arrangement
with the City. An aerial survey is taken after the close of the hunting season, when there is
snow on the ground, and other weather conditions allow for the flight. The aerial survey was
not conducted last year due to weather conditions. Unfortunately, again this year, the snow
cover and weather conditions did not cooperate to allow for an aerial count.
In urban areas, maintaining a deer density below 30 deer/square miles reduces overall
human-deer conflict to a socially tolerable level. Densities above this typically result in
increased deer-vehicle collisions, property damage to gardens and landscaping, and adverse
impacts to native plant communities. The most recent aerial surveys in Ames (2021) showed
an overall deer density of 36 deer/square miles with some survey segments counting
significantly higher densities (see below). Hunter feedback, especially from west Ames,
indicates these numbers may continue to rise.
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AMES AERIAL DEER SURVEY: (See Attached Map)
Ames Aerial
Deer Survey
2012 Deer
Observed
(Deer/Sq.
Mi.)
2013 Deer
Observed
(Deer/Sq.
Mi.)
2014 Deer
Observed
(Deer/Sq.
Mi.)
2016 Deer
Observed
(Deer/Sq.
Mi.)
2018 Deer
Observed
(Deer/Sq.
Mi.)
2019 Deer
Observed
(Deer/Sq.
Mi.)
2021 Deer
Observed
(Deer/Sq.
Mi.)
Segment 1a
(rural)20 (51)18 (46)2 (5)10 (26)5 (13)30 (77)41 (105)
Segment 1b 18 (42)3 (7)2 (5)0 (0)40 (93)2 (5)0 (0)
Segment 2a
(rural)61 (36)117 (69)49 (29)92 (54)12 (7)61 (36)87 (51)
Segment 2b 5 (5)1 (1)22 (24)13 (14)35 (38)10 (11)2 (2)
Segment 3 2 (5)8 (20)7 (18)3 (8)9 (23)11 (28)0 (0)
Segment 4 3 (8)1 (3)7 (18)10 (26)7 (18)3 (8)0 (0)
Segment 5 23 (15)76 (48)51 (32)74 (47)44 (28)12 (8)27 (17)
Segment 6
(rural)35 (71)33 (67)27 (55)41 (84)49 (100)37 (76)34 (69)
Segment 7
(rural)41 (56)40 (55)53 (73)56 (77)39 (53)40 (55)65 (89)
Segment 8 46 (81)40 (70)57 (100)46 (81)35 (61)21 (37)45 (79)
Segment 9
(rural)22 (15)45 (30)63 (43)66 (45)65 (44)43 (29)30 (20)
Overall 276 (30)382 (42)340 (37)411 (45)340 (37)270 (30)331 (36)
VEHICLE-DEER ACCIDENTS
Additionally, accidents involving deer are considered. The chart below indicates the number of
vehicle vs. deer accidents. Data from the past three and one-half years show a trend toward
decreasing car/deer accidents in the Ames area.
2023 (77)2024 (73)2025 (60)2026 (18)
January - 9 January – 1 January – 2 January - 2
February – 5 February – 3 February – 6 February – 3
March – 4 March – 4 March – 3 March – 3
April – 2 April – 5 April – 3 April – 3
May – 10 May – 17 May – 3 May – 4
June – 7 June – 7 June – 4 June – 3
July – 4 July – 3 July – 3
August – 1 August – 3 August – 4
September – 6 September – 4 September – 4
October – 8 October – 10 October – 12
November – 13 November – 17 November – 13
December - 6 December - 9 December - 3
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URBAN DEER TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CITY-OWNED
PROPERTY:
The Urban Deer Task Force members support the continuation of hunting in designated
City-owned property locations. Dates for these locations are recommended by the
Parks and Recreation staff within the established dates and times set by the DNR.
Following last year ’s approach and taking the DNR established hours and dates into
consideration, the City staff and Deer Task Force are recommending continuing the
Urban Deer Hunt program in the following locations:
RECOMMENDED NON-PARK / PUBLIC AREA:
Wooded City property south of the Hunziker Youth Sports Complex:
City property north of the landfill in east Ames off Watt Street (does not include water
plant or adjacent construction areas):
RECOMMENDED PARKLAND AREAS:
South River Valley Park
Gateway Park: Restricted to the west timber
Inis Grove Park
Homewood Golf Course
Munn Woods
All dates and times are coordinated each year with the DNR, Parks and Recreation
Department, and the Ames Police Department. Hunting may be temporarily suspended by the
Ames Police Department in any location for safety-related reasons.
URBAN DEER TASKFORCE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PRIVATE PROPERTY:
Last year, hunting was allowed on private property if there were three or more acres
available and hunting was supported by adjacent property owners. Because of the
broad array of views in the community, the Urban Deer Task Force continues to
endorse the following two categories of private property hunts:
1. In the first category, hunts on wooded or agricultural tracts are reviewed by the Police
Department and, if the property met the program criteria, it could be approved for
hunting. There is one private wooded/agricultural tracts that continued to be approved
for hunting this year which is Coldwater Golf Course.
2. In the second category, locations that were primarily residential properties would be
reviewed by the Police Department and then publicized in a manner that would seek
additional input from other residents in the neighborhood. There were no residential
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properties evaluated or approved for hunting.
The Urban Deer Task Force members are not recommending a change to the hunts on
wooded or agricultural tracts (Category 1), but are recommending changes to other
private property hunting (Category 2).
The Urban Deer Task Force is recommending continuation with improvements to
private property hunting (Category 2). While the overall deer population is one
component to consider, the distribution of deer in residential neighborhoods should
also be considered as this is where the complaints of damage come from.
CURRENT PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
The current program allowing private property to be enrolled as urban deer hunting locations
requires the owner or lawful agent in control of the property to submit a written request for
participation to the Police Department. Requests must include owner/agent permission for at
least three contiguous acres, a map of the property, and a listing of any additional rules or
restrictions being proposed. This may include limitations on who may hunt on the property.
The City Hunt Manager (Police Department) will evaluate the property.
Currently, residential locations receive an initial review by the City Hunt Manager, followed by
notification of adjacent property owners. This is done by the property owner or hunter(s) using
city forms. A significant requirement under the current process for residential locations
is that neighbors within 200 yards of the stand must approve of the hunting and
neighbors within 400 yards of a deer stand must be notified.
During the Urban Deer Task Force Meetings, the rules and regulations around private
property hunting were discussed. The rules and regulations in Ames are more stringent than
other similarly situated cities. This has resulted in no private property being included in the
Urban Deer Hunt. Several changes were discussed to address the deer population on private
property where the vast majority of complaints of damage come from while also maintaining a
safe environment for all.
DEER TASK FORCE RECOMMEND NEW RULES FOR PRIVATE PROPERTY DEER
HUNTING (Category 2):
a. In areas where the total hunting area is 3 acres or more (may include multiple abutting
properties).
i. The hunter must obtain a signed waiver from the landowner authorizing hunting on
the property.
ii. The hunter must comply with any additional requirements established by the
landowner.
iii. There is no minimum hunting distance from buildings if the landowner has provided
consent.
iv. All proposed private property hunting locations must be approved by the Ames
Police Department deer management coordinator.
v. A site visit by the coordinator is required.
b. In areas where the total hunting area is less than 3 acres. (May include multiple abutting
properties.)
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i. The hunter must obtain a signed waiver from the landowner authorizing hunting on
the property.
ii. The hunter must comply with any additional requirements established by the
landowner.
iii. Permission from property owners that abut the property must be obtained.
iv. There is no minimum hunting distance from buildings if the landowner has provided
consent.
v. All proposed private property hunting locations must be approved by the Ames
Police Department deer management coordinator.
vi. A site visit by the coordinator is required.
It is important to note in areas of less than 3 acres, while permission is required by the
property owners abutting the hunting property, these owners are not obligated to authorize
hunting on their own property, just agree to allow hunting on the property of the requesting
property owner.
This proposed rule changes for private property hunting address the concerns heard
from the public regarding better control of the deer population outside of the Public and
Park areas where hunting now is allowed. It is hoped this targeted approach will
address the concerns of those who have property damage from deer while providing a
safe environment for both the hunters and public. The Urban Deer Hunt Coordinator
may reject any property for the Urban Deer hunt if it is believed the area is not
appropriate for hunting.
OTHER TECHNIQUES TO CONTROL DEER
The other techniques listed below that the City could utilize in dealing with the deer
issue, but City staff and Deer Task Force are not recommending any of them. In addition,
some of the techniques would require approval from the DNR before the City could attempt
Ordinance is changed to reflect any one of them. Therefore, other than bow hunting, no
changes in techniques are being recommended.
Aversive Conditioning (Hazing & Scare Tactics) – This involves different techniques (i.e.
noise, dogs, activity, etc.) to get deer to move out of an area. The downside to this is that deer
just relocate to another area and they may become a problem for someone else. Hazing can
be an effective tool for homeowners protecting their property but is not effective at the large
scale.
Immunocontraception – This involves tranquilizing does (female deer) and administering a
contraceptive drug. Approval from the IDNR Director and the Natural Resources Commission
would be required. In conversations with the IDNR, approval is unlikely as this technique has
only proven successful in isolated herds i.e. islands, fenced (8-10 feet high) areas and is not
successful in open herds.
Surgical Contraception – Does (female deer) are tranquilized and the reproductive system is
removed or interrupted. Approval from the IDNR Director and the Natural Resources
Commission would be required. In conversations with the IDNR, approval is unlikely as this
technique has only proven successful in isolated herds i.e. islands, fenced (8-10 feet high)
areas and is not successful in open herds.
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Professional Hunters – Companies are hired to bring in sharpshooters at night and use night
vision goggles and rifles to kill the deer. Iowa City used this technique and had success with
thinning the deer herd. They have asked the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) for
approval to use professional hunters again and their request has been denied as the NRC
wants communities to have a more robust bow hunting program. These programs require
approval from the NRC and are very expensive.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve continued bow hunting within the park system, city property, and other eligible
property as detailed in the Urban Deer Management ordinance and the proposed rule
changes regarding deer hunting on private property as listed above.
2. Approve continued bow hunting program as currently administered on both public and
private property.
3. Approve other rule changes to the City's bow hunting program as the City Council might
suggest.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The Iowa DNR, Urban Deer Task Force, Parks and Recreation Commission, staff members
within Parks and Recreation, the Police Department, and Animal Control all support the
continuation of the Urban Deer Management ordinance and proposed rule changes.
Therefore, staff recommends the approval of Alternative 1 whereby:
A. The Council would continue to approve bow hunting in designated locations including the
park system, other city property, wooded and agricultural tracks as detailed in the
current Urban Deer Management ordinance with existing rules.
B. The City Council would approve the proposed rule changes regarding private property
hunting highlighted above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
AmesWholeMap Aerial Segments.jpg
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