2020-2021 Cedar Rapids Urban Deer Management Program Report

The Cedar Rapids Urban Deer Management Program concluded the 2020-2021 bow hunt season on January 10, 2021. A total of 53 hunters qualified for the urban bow hunt.  Twenty-nine of the 53 hunters were successful in harvesting at least one deer. 

There were a total of 88 deer taken during this season's bow hunt. This is a decrease of 31 deer from the 2019-2020 season.  The decrease in hunters and deer harvested is attributed to the COVID-19 public health pandemic.  Due to the pandemic and the requirement of social distancing, no new hunters were admitted to the hunt this year because the Urban Deer Management Program Manager was unable to hold orientation sessions.  Only hunters from the 2019-2020 season were permitted after electronic submission of their application and review by the Urban Deer Management Program Manager. 

A breakdown of the deer that were harvested is: 

• 79 does
• 3 button bucks
• 6 antlered bucks

Eleven of the deer were donated to help feed the hungry in Cedar Rapids and Linn County. Seventy-seven deer were kept for personal consumption.  Hunters had the choice to either donate their deer to the HUSH program or to a local program to feed the hungry in Linn County.  The local donation program is a cooperative effort between the Newhall Locker, HUSH, the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, and local ENT Physician Dr. Kevin Carpenter M.D.  The two main goals of donation include reducing the deer populations and providing high-quality red meat to the needy in Iowa. 

Two hunters harvested 7 deer. Nine hunters harvested 5 or more does with this season's hunt and will be eligible for the 2021-2022 incentive buck tag.

There were no injuries or hunting violations recorded this year. 

Battalion Chief Jason Andrews continues as the Program Manager for the Cedar Rapids Urban Deer Management Program.