Cornell UniversityThe Nature Conservancy

Community Example: Ottumwa, Iowa

Key facts

  • Community Size: Medium city (10,000 to 50,000 people)
  • Region: Midwest
    • Plan established in 2005

    Ottumwa, Iowa (population of approximately 28,000) has conducted its Deer Harvest Program since 2005 as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Deer Management Zone Hunts. More than 700 deer have been harvested from within Ottumwa’s city limits since the program’s inception, helping this community reduce the instances of property damage and deer-vehicle collisions caused by overabundant deer. Ottumwa’s program is limited to bow hunting only, and each hunter must pass an annual proficiency test administered by Whitetail Outdoors in Agency, Iowa.