The City of Ames has initiated the process of allowing deer hunting in a wooded area near residential living.
This summer, the Ames City Council received several messages about potentially allowing deer hunting in Munn Woods and Emma McCarthy Lee Park. Residents complained of damage to their gardens and landscaping, and collisions caused by the deer population.
The council referred the matter to the Parks and Recreation Commission. On Sept. 18, the commission voted 6-1 not to approve deer hunting in Munn Woods and Emma McCarthy Lee Park.
On Oct. 14, the council overruled the decision and approved deer hunting in Munn Woods only, in a 5.39-acre section of the woods. The council also asked city staff to convene the Special Urban Deer Task Force to offer new recommendations.
The new hunting season would start around Nov. 1, pending approval by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, and would end Jan. 10.
What are the rules for deer hunting in Ames?
The city can issue 75 permits each year for the Ames Urban Deer Hunt Program.
Hunters with permits may hunt in Hunziker Youth Sports Complex, north of a landfill site, South River Valley Park, Gateway Park, Homewood Golf Course and Inis Grove Park.
Hunters must pass a one-time Bowhunter Safety Course and pass an authorized archery proficiency test with the weapon they will use to hunt within Ames.
All shots must be made from an elevated stand at a minimum of eight feet off the ground, at a deer no more than 75 feet away. Stands must also be located at least 85 feet from any maintained roads, recreation trails and organized activity sites, and at least 200 feet from any residence or building.
Survey results show frequent neighborhood deer visits
City staff developed a survey about the deer population in Ames, which was completed by 1,095 residents.
About 40.5% of respondents think the deer population within Ames is a concern, while 27.4% did not.
Deer are seen in 28.3% of respondents’ yards weekly; 22.5% daily; 19.3% rarely; 13.4% monthly; and 16.5% of respondents never see deer in their yard.
About 33.5% of respondents have experienced damage to their gardens; 31.8% have seen damage to landscaping; and 10.5% have experienced vehicle collisions due to deer, according to the survey.
Over half the respondents, 54.1%, said they favor bow hunting as a method to decrease the deer population.
Deer hunting in Emma McCarthy Lee Park was not recommended by city staff. Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham said more people living adjacent to Munn Woods seemed to favor hunting compared to those near Emma McCarthy Lee Park, an area that “gets a lot of activity.”
Deer cause multiple vehicle collisions per year in Ames
There were 77 deer vehicle collisions in 2023 and 73 collisions in 2024. This year, there have been 28 deer vehicle collisions through August, and a total of 65 are estimated for 2025, Ames Police Chief Geoff Huff said.
“For a traffic accident to be a reportable accident, $1,500 damage and/or personal injury,” Huff said. “Today, it’s hard for an accident to cost less than $1,500, so it probably collects most of them.”
Ames residents weigh in on deer problem
Several Ames residents took their concerns directly to the city council at the Oct. 14 meeting.
Diane Birt said every time she leaves her home there are anywhere from three to 10 deer in her yard, and she can’t garden without huge fences to keep them out.
“People that say it’s inhumane to try and control the deer; it’s inhumane to let the deer population be out of control like this,” Birt said. “I love deer, but I don’t feel we’re doing a good job in managing our populations.”
Mary Bernau said she has counted over 26 deer in her yard at once, and before she mows her lawn she has to pick up their manure.
“I used to like deer; I do not anymore,” Bernau said. “It’s going to become a bigger and bigger problem if we don’t do something soon.”
Kay Meyer told the council she’d gotten Lyme disease – a tick-borne disease – last year. She said she was lucky, because not everybody knows about it or the signs for it.
While Meyer didn’t like the idea of bowhunting, this experience convinced her that something needed to be done.
“We’re always going to have to live with deer; they will have ticks, and they will have Lyme disease,” Meyer said. “I like the deer, but I do realize they are a problem.”
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames City Council overrules Parks Commission to allow deer hunting in Munn Woods
Reporting by Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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