City of Marquette is now included in special archery deer hunt

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One hundred antlerless licenses will be available for a special archery deer hunt in Pikes Peak State Park and city of McGregor and Marquette properties. These deer were spotted near Pikes Peak State Park this past month. (Photo by Austin Greve)

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

 

For the first time, Marquette will be included with Pikes Peak State Park and city of McGregor properties in a special archery deer hunt.

 

One hundred antlerless licenses will be available only to Iowa residents for the season spanning from Oct. 1 to Jan. 10. Hunting will remain open during the shotgun deer seasons.

 

According to Pikes Peak State Park Manager Andrew Roach, 130 deer have been taken in the managed hunt since 2018, including 29 a year ago. 

 

Ross Ellingson, the DNR’s Northeast Iowa State Depredation Biologist, said hunting is the best and most widely accepted tool for managing deer populations. 

 

“When cities or parks prohibit hunting, deer populations can grow to levels that are unacceptable to the people that live within city limits or live/farm next to parks. Special archery hunts are a safe way to reduce and then manage populations so that deer are not depleting the forest understory, damaging plants and gardens and being all too often struck by vehicles,” Ellingson explained. 

 

From a statewide deer management perspective, he said these hunts are important to all Iowans by preventing situations with high deer densities, where the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease goes unchecked. 

 

“Many special hunt coordinators across the state ask hunters to test their deer for CWD. Knowing whether or not the disease is in the area is extremely important,” Ellingson added.

 

Special hunts such as Pikes Peak/McGregor/Marquette are allotted a limited number of antlerless licenses that must only be used within the boundaries of the approved area. 

 

“Harvest data is easy to track so that the entity involved can measure the success of the hunt,” Ellingson said. “Participants must prove their skills by passing a proficiency test and follow rules to avoid conflict with citizens while hunting.”

 

Antlerless licenses can be purchased at Fisk Farm and Home in Monona. The cost is $28.50 for the first license, unless you have already purchased an antlerless license outside this hunt, and $15 for additional licenses. 

 

All new hunters must meet the requirements of a proficiency test: hitting a nine-inch target three out of five times from a distance of 20 yards away. Roach will administer proficiency tests from Sept. 2 to 12. Call the park office at (563) 873-2341 and leave a message to set up an appointment.

 

All current Iowa hunting rules and regulations apply with this hunt. Hunting must be from an elevated position or tree stand, unless a person has a permanent physical impairment that prevents them from climbing. Tree stands may be placed on or after Sept. 24 (one week before the season opener) and must be removed by Jan. 17 (one week after the season ends).

 

Hunters must remain at least 30 yards from public use areas such as trails, houses, streets, private property lines, campgrounds, public areas, parking lots and buildings. Individuals may hunt closer with permission from the property owner.

 

Within the city of Marquette, hunters agree to maintain a distance of 150 feet from any property line or occupied building and 75 feet from an unoccupied building, street or trail.

 

Parking is allowed only in designated parking lots. Do not drive off roadways or onto trails to retrieve deer. Deer should be field dressed away from roadways, trails and dwellings.

 

The hunting area includes Pikes Peak State Park properties and city of McGregor and Marquette properties. Contact Roach at (563) 873-2341, McGregor City Administrator Denise Schneider at (563) 873-3795 or Marquette City Manager Mildred Stewart at (563) 873-3735 if you have questions about boundaries and where you can hunt.

 

All hunters must report their harvest to the DNR Harvest Reporting System by midnight of the day after tagging a deer. Text your registration number to 1-800-771-4692 and follow the prompts.

 

An incentive is being offered this year to encourage more doe harvests. If a hunter harvests three female deer this year, they will qualify for an any sex tag for next year. To count the doe harvest toward the any sex tag, Roach, a city official or the Mar-Mac Police Department must physically see the deer within 24 hours of harvest. Contact Roach at (563) 873-2341 or (563) 880-4579, the Mar-Mac Police at (563) 873-2500, Marquette City Hall at (563) 873-3735 or McGregor City Hall at (563) 873-3795.

 

Hunters who are not participating in the incentive do not need to show their deer, but should text or call and leave a message for Roach with details of the harvest, including date, time, sex and location.

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