Hunting
Two
of Polk County Conservation Board's areas are open to hunting. Most of Chichaqua
Bottoms Greenbelt and several remote areas of Jester Park are available to hunt
all game. A portion of Jester Park along Saylorville Lake is open to waterfowl
hunting only.All state and federal hunting laws apply.
Waterfowl Blinds
Polk County Conservation Board initiated a controlled waterfowl hunting program
at the
Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt in 1973. Each year, the program
allows the reservation of up to 12 hunting blinds per day. Up to four people are
allowed per blind. Hunting is allowed Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
from legal opening time until 1 p.m. during the October to early December season.
Blinds are located adjacent to waters that are part of a five hundred acre refuge.
The program has been very popular with cnetral Iowa hunters. The County's operation
is one of several programs in Iowa and the only one in the central part of the state.
The others are along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. It has been popular for
older hunters who find it difficult to wade in many public marshes, but can walk
to individual blinds over dry land at Chichaqua. The layout of the area, access
to the blinds, and the need for no boats make it more attractive.
Waterfowl hunting blinds at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt can be reserved by calling
the Chichaqua office at (515) 967-2596 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The twelve blinds
are located in both marsh and woodland settings. Daily reservations are $25 per
hunting blind. Hunting is allowed from legal opening time to 1 p.m. on Saturday,
Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday throughout the season. Chichaqua is a half hour northeast
of Des Moines near Elkhart and Bondurant.
Non-Toxic Shot
Non-toxic shot (non-lead) is
required of shotgun hunters
on all Polk County Conservation Board land. The only exceptions include deer and
turkeys. Lead shot may still be used at the designated trap range at Chichaqua.
This new policy brings the Polk Co. Conservation Board in line with current regulations
on many state and federally-owned Waterfowl Production Areas.
Controlled Bowhunt
This fall, the Polk Co. Conservation Board will issue special use permits allowing
bowhunters to participate in a controlled bowhunt for antlerless deer at several
Polk County Conservation Board parks. A limited number of special use permits will
be issued for Brown's Woods, Four Mile Creek Greenbelt, Jester Park, Mally's Weh-Weh-Nee-Kee
Park, Sycamore Trail,Thomas Mitchell Park, and Yellow Banks Park. The bowhunt is
limited to antlerless deer only, and will take place from September 11, 2010 to
January 30, 2011.
This controlled bowhunt is being held in response to continued growth in the urban
deer population that has resulted in damage to natural vegetation, increased deer/vehicle
collisions, and damage to private landscaping. Urban deer populations can double
every 3 to 4 years if left unchecked.
What is the Urban Deer Bowhunt Program?
Hunter Information
Bowhunting Guidelines
Application for Controlled
Bow-hunt
2009-2010 Controlled Bowhunt Deer
Report
H.U.S.H. (Help Us Stop Hunger)
Map of Deer Management
Zone
To participate in this program hunters must do the following:
- Pass an approved bowhunter safety education course
- Pass an archery proficiency test
- Apply with PCCB for a special use permit
- Meet with the Conservation Board Ranger to review rules of the hunt and the boundaries
of the special hunting areas
- Purchase a special anterless deer license.
Contact the following organizations and contacts to locate other places to hunt:
|
Des Moines Park and Recreation |
Mike Gaul |
515-208-0310 |
|
West Des Moines Park and Recreation |
Sally Ortgies |
515-222-3447 |
|
Des Moines Water Works |
Regina Olmstead |
515-283-8769 |
|
City of Johnston |
Jim Sanders |
515-278-2344 |
|
City of Urbandale |
Jeff Casey |
515-331-6800 |
|
Polk County Conservation Board |
Brian Herrstrom |
515-967-4889 |
|
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
Tyler Hill |
515-276-4656 ext 6512 |
|
Walnut Woods State Park |
Tim Gedler |
515-285-4502 |
|
City of Clive |
Kelly Canfield |
515-223-5246 |
|
City of Pleasant Hill |
Heath Ellis |
515-208-5212 |