Changes in Store for Hunters at the 2001 F.W. Kent Park Controlled Deer Hunt
By Kristen Goldsmith, JCCB Naturalist

Hunters interested in participating in the F.W. Kent Park 2001 Controlled Deer Hunt will encounter many changes. Because the hunt has been so successful at controlling the deer population in Kent Park, this year's hunt will be restricted to one weekend, December 1 and 2 of the first shotgun season. This will restrict the total number of hunters to 40 with 50 antlerless-only tags available. All 40 hunters will be allowed to apply for one of the 10 extra licenses. If more than 10 hunters fill out an application for the extra licenses, there will be a drawing.

As in the past, hunters will need to apply for licenses in person on a first come _ first served basis Saturday, September 8, at 8:00 a.m. Unlike proceeding years, the application process will take place at the Conservation Education Center and applicants will not be allowed to camp at the Youth Group Camp the night before. Camping is available at the Family Campground or hunters may arrive in the morning when the park gates open at sunrise. Directly following the application, successful hunters will be required to attend the safety/orientation session. Applicants must list their full name, mailing address, social security number, date of birth and telephone number on their application and will be required to present a valid Iowa driver's license or hunter safety card.

Hunters will receive an approved form from the Johnson County Conservation Board after they successfully apply for the license, which they will need to present to the recorder's office. Because of the statewide switch to electronic licensing, hunters will obtain their licenses in person or by mail, from the Johnson County Recorder's Office starting on September 17, 2001. The recorder's office is open 8 a.m. _ 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The first Kent Park controlled hunt was held in 1996 at a time when deer counts in Kent Park were more than 200. The Deer Management Plan, which was adopted by the board in 1995, established a target population of 60 - 80 deer. This goal appears to have been reached with a winter count in 2001 of 69 deer. Because of this lower count, the JCCB has adjusted the length of the 2001 hunt and the number of hunters so that the herd can be controlled at a maintenance level.

The success of the deer management program has meant dramatically lower incidents of deer damage to Kent Park vegetation including tree seedlings and native prairie vegetation.

For more information about this year's controlled deer hunt or the deer management program at Kent Park, contact the JCCB office at 319-645-2315