During the Boone City Council meeting on October 6, 2025, discussions centered on the city's ongoing deer control plan, which has become increasingly relevant due to rising deer populations in urban areas. The council previously instituted an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer, marking a significant step in their efforts to manage the local deer population.

The council is now considering further changes to the ordinance regarding the use of projectiles within city limits. Chief of Police has been tasked with investigating the implications of these changes and will present his findings in future meetings. This move aligns with the council's goal-setting discussions from the previous year, which aimed to address urban wildlife management more effectively.

In addition, the council has been in contact with Catherine Cummings, a wildlife depredation biologist from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Cummings has provided insights into urban deer hunts, referred to by the DNR as deer management zones. The council has reached out to several nearby cities, including Ames, Oskaloosa, Mason City, Marshalltown, and Fort Dodge, to learn from their experiences with similar programs.

The feedback from these cities indicates a variety of approaches to managing deer populations within city limits. For instance, while Ames has a very restrictive policy, other cities have adopted more lenient regulations. Statewide, approximately 50% of available hunting tags are purchased, with a success rate of about 30%. In Ames, for example, only 18 out of 50 tags were sold last year, resulting in the harvest of 16 deer.

The Boone City Council's discussions reflect a growing recognition of the need for effective wildlife management strategies in urban settings. As they explore potential changes to ordinances and gather data from neighboring cities, the council aims to strike a balance between public safety, wildlife conservation, and community interests. Future meetings will likely continue to address these important issues as the council seeks to implement a comprehensive deer management plan.