River otters and bobcats—open area, seasonal bag limit, 108.7
ARC 5067C
NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION[571]
Adopted and Filed
Rule making related to harvesting of certain furbearers
The Natural Resource Commission (Commission) hereby amends Chapter 108, "Mink, Muskrat, Raccoon, Badger, Opossum, Weasel, Striped Skunk, Fox (Red and Gray), Beaver, Coyote, River Otter, Bobcat, Gray (Timber) Wolf and Spotted Skunk Seasons," Iowa Administrative Code.
Legal Authority for Rule Making
This rule making is adopted under the authority provided in Iowa Code sections 455A.5(6), 481A.38, 481A.39 and 481A.87.
State or Federal Law Implemented
This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code section 481A.87.
Purpose and Summary
Chapter 108 sets the season dates, bag limits, possession limits, and areas open to hunting or trapping furbearers. This rule making increases the bag limit for river otters from two per fur harvester to three per fur harvester, adds Boone and Webster Counties to the one-bobcat-per-fur-harvester zone, and clarifies the total allowable bobcat harvest by a fur harvester in a season.
The bobcat and river otter populations are able to withstand these changes. Population data from the past 12 years reveal that Iowa's river otter and bobcat populations continue to grow and expand into more counties with suitable habitat. Information about their population trends is derived from a variety of sources, such as hunter surveys, harvest information, tooth age distribution, field reports, and sightings. The amendments are, therefore, biologically responsible, as required by law. Additionally, they will increase recreational opportunities for Iowa fur harvesters while helping minimize social issues associated with high river otter or bobcat densities.
Public Comment and Changes to Rule Making
Notice of Intended Action for this rule making was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on May 6, 2020, as ARC 5033C. A public hearing was held on May 26, 2020, at 1 p.m. via video/conference call. No one attended the public hearing.
Three comments were received during the public comment period. Two supported the proposed changes, and one encouraged the Department to continue or increase monitoring bobcat and otter populations in the future. No changes from the Notice have been made.
Adoption of Rule Making
This rule making was adopted by the Commission on June 11, 2020.
Fiscal Impact
The Department of Natural Resources (Department) anticipates a very modest increase in fur harvester license sales from the proposed rule. Currently, resident fur harvester licenses, with the wildlife habitat fee, are $41 per year. If any additional fur harvester licenses are sold due to this rule making, revenue would be generated for the State Fish and Game Protection Fund. A copy of the fiscal impact statement is available from the Department upon request.
Jobs Impact
After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found. A copy of the jobs impact statement is available from the Department upon request.
Waivers
This rule is subject to the waiver provisions of 571—Chapter 11. Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Commission for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any.
Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee
The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).
Effective Date
This rule making will become effective on August 5, 2020.
The following rule-making actions are adopted:
Item 1. Amend subrule 108.7(2) as follows:
108.7(2) Open area. River otters may be taken statewide. Bobcats may be taken in the following counties: Adair, Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Boone, Cass, Cedar, Cherokee, Clarke, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Des Moines, Fremont, Guthrie, Harrison, Henry, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Lucas, Lyon, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Mills, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Muscatine, Page, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Scott, Shelby, Sioux, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, and Woodbury.
Item 2. Amend subrule 108.7(3) as follows:
108.7(3) Seasonal bag limit.
a.The seasonal bag limit for river otters is 2 3 river otters per person.
b.The seasonal bag limit for bobcats is 1 bobcat per person in the following counties: Audubon, Boone, Cedar, Cherokee, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Guthrie, Harrison, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Lyon, Monona, Muscatine, Plymouth, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Shelby, Sioux, Webster, and Woodbury.
c.The seasonal bag limit for bobcats is 3 bobcats per person in the following counties: Adair, Adams, Appanoose, Cass, Clarke, Davis, Decatur, Des Moines, Fremont, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Mills, Monroe, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, and Wayne.
d.No more than 3 bobcats total can be legally harvested by a fur harvester in a season. River otters or bobcats trapped in excess of the seasonal bag limit or in a closed area must be turned over to the department; the trapper fur harvester shall not be penalized.
[Filed 6/11/20, effective 8/5/20]
[Published 7/1/20]
Editor's Note: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 7/1/20.
The official published PDF of this document is available from the Iowa General Assembly’s Administrative Rules page.
View the Iowa Administrative Bulletin for 7/1/2020.
The following administrative rule references were added to this document. You may click a reference to view related notices.
Rule 571-108.7(2) Rule 571-108.7(3)The following keywords and tags were added to this document. You may click a keyword to view related notices.
Open area Seasonal bag limit© 2024; State of Iowa | Privacy Policy