Archers will again be able to hunt deer in the city limits of Fort Dodge, starting this fall.

The City Council on Monday approved an urban bow hunt to begin Sept. 20 and end Jan. 10, 2026.

There was no council debate about the planned hunt. Councilwoman Lydia Schuur was absent from the otherwise unanimous vote.

The hunt must still be approved by the Iowa Natural Resources Commission.

Two previous deer hunts have been held in the city. The most recent one concluded in January. Police Capt. Steve Hanson said no issues have been reported about the previous two hunts.

He said a total of 74 deer were taken in the last two hunts.

The upcoming hunt will be done by bow hunters on private property where landowners give permission for hunting. But hunting can only be done in areas that measure a minimum of 200 yards by 200 yards and have no buildings on them. Most of that property that meets those requirements is on the northern, eastern and western edges of the city.

Hunters will be required to launch their arrows downward from a tree stand or other elevated position so that if an arrow misses a deer it will go into the ground.

To participate, hunters must pass the International Bow Hunter Safety Education Course, pass an annual archery proficiency test and attend a mandatory safety meeting.

The council approved hunting in the city limits in 2022 in response to many complaints over the years about deer eating up gardens and nearly causing crashes on the streets.

The first hunt began in the fall of 2023 and concluded in January 2024.