Deer Hunt Announced for Owatonna City Parks

The Owatonna Parks and Recreation Department announces a special deer hunt for this fall to be held in city parks. The archery-only deer hunt will be held in two seasons: November 1-28 and November 29-December 23. Get full details on the parks and recreation website. Registration deadline is September 11.

Interested hunters can register online or at the park and rec office at West Hills Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm. This is an anterless-only hunt and all Minnesota Department of Natural Resources rules apply.

City parks included are Cashman, Hammann, Kaplan's Woods and Kaplan's Woods Parkway, North Straight River Park, Leo Rudolph Nature Reserve, Manthey, Maple Creek Parkway, Kriesel Park and Mineral Springs Park (second season only).

A $20 non-refundable application fee applies. If more than 50 hunters apply there will be a random draw. If more than 30 hunters pass the required proficiency test, a random draw would also be held.

In a related note, the DNR expects more harvesting opportunities for Minnesota deer hunters due to increased numbers in the deer population and the DNR's response to Chronic Wasting Disease. Additionally, the DNR saw a big increase in the number of fishing licenses sold this summer as people look to outdoor activities to replace some of their regular events canceled due to the coronavirus.

Other news from the Owatonna Parks and Recreation department includes a call for residents to "Help us keep Owatonna's parks beautiful!" To participate in the city park clean-up, pick up a bucket at the park shop, which includes pickers and garbage bags. You can leave the filled bags near a garbage can and return the bucket to the city shop.