City of Fort Dodge, Iowa

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• Ordinance No. 2358
• Urban Controlled Bow Hunt Map
• Buck Tag 2025

The Fort Dodge Urban Controlled Bow Hunting season for 2025-2026 will take place from September 20, 2025, to January 10, 2026. This season was approved by the Fort Dodge City Council on April 14, 2025 (Resolution 25-04-069).

Bow hunting will be allowed on approved private properties within city limits, each measuring at least 200 yards by 200 yards. Only adult hunters (18+) who have demonstrated proficiency with bow and arrow are eligible to participate.

Hunters who want to participate must:

• Complete the International Bow Hunter Safety Education Course available online at www.bowhunter-ed.com/iowa if you haven't done so previously.
• Complete an annual proficiency test through the Fort Dodge Police Department
• Return the completed application and all documents no later than 4:30 pm on Friday, August 15, 2025.
• Attend a MANDATORY informational meeting. More information will be provided upon receipt of your application.

• Urban Controlled Bow Hunt Application
• Permission to Hunt on Private Property Form
• Voluntary Authorization & Release
• Waiver of Separation Form
• Urban Controlled Bow Hunt Proficiency Certificate
• Incentive License/Tag AKA "Buck Tag"
• Deer Harvested Confirmation Report
• Ordinance Number 2358
• Urban Controlled Bow Hunt Map
• Full Urban Controlled Bow Hunt Required Forms Packet

In an effort to incentivize the Urban Controlled Bow Hunt Program, the Fort Dodge City Council has implemented a “Earn a Buck Program”. This is intended to increase harvests and help to reduce deer numbers within the Urban Deer Management Zone. 

ELIGIBILITY:

• All hunters participating in the Fort Dodge Urban Controlled Bow Hunt Program are eligible for a buck incentive license/tag. To earn a buck tag, hunters must harvest three does, verified through the official process and confirmed in the IDNR system. This total can be achieved over multiple hunting seasons.
• Once a buck tag is issued, it must be used within the current hunting season and cannot be carried over to the next season. However, qualifying does can carry over to the next season and count toward obtaining a buck tag.
• Pooling, sharing, or using another hunter's verified harvest is prohibited. Hunters can only receive credit for their own harvests.
• To verify a doe, the hunter must remove 1.5” to 2” from either the left or right ear in the presence of the official verifying the harvest. If any ear part is removed before the doe has been checked, it will not count toward the hunter’s total.

It is the responsibility of the hunter to follow all state and local laws, rules, and regulations to harvest deer and ensure they are fully eligible for the buck incentive license/tag. 

PROCESS:

• The Fort Dodge Police Department will maintain an "Antlerless Deer Harvest Confirmation Report" for each hunter. After a hunter has harvested three does through the verification process, the Police Department will receive confirmation from the IDNR. Once confirmed, the Police Department will notify the IDNR to issue the Buck Tag in the IDNR system for that hunter.
• The incentive buck license/tag can only be used within the Fort Dodge Urban Deer Management Zone during the following hunting season. Buck tags are valid for one full season only. Harvesting a buck must comply with all requirements of the Urban Controlled Bow Hunt program and follow all IDNR processes.