ARC 8628C

ARC 8628C

Proposing rulemaking related to deer population management zones
and providing an opportunity for public comment

A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on September 4, 2024. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

●September 24, 2024

Servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística: si habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, los servicios de asistencia lingüística están disponibles de forma gratuita. Comuníquese con el Departamento al andrew.kellner@dnr.iowa.gov.

Any persons who intend to attend a hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Department and advise of specific needs.

Free language assistance: if you need assistance in a language other than English, contact the Department at andrew.kellner@dnr.iowa.gov or civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov or by telephone at 515.571.4010 at least seven days before the event.

Servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística: si necesita ayuda en un idioma que no sea inglés, comuníquese con el Departamento al andrew.kellner@dnr.iowa.gov o civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov o por teléfono a 515.571.4010 al menos siete días antes del evento.

ITEM 1.Rescind 571—Chapter 105 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 105

DEER POPULATION MANAGEMENT ZONES

571—105.1(481A) Definitions.

“Commission” means the natural resource commission.

“Department” means the department of natural resources.

“Special deer management zones” means defined units of public and private land, including state parks, state recreation areas, county parks, urban areas, and areas managed by other governmental jurisdictions.

“Urban deer management zones” means areas mostly within incorporated city limits including city, county, state, and private land.

571—105.2(481A) Special deer management zones. Special deer management zone boundaries, seasons, permitted weapons, license quotas, and other conditions for hunting shall be designated annually by the commission.

105.2(1) Seasons. Deer hunting in a special deer management zone may occur only on dates established by the commission. Season dates may or may not coincide with seasons for general deer hunting outside special deer management zones.

105.2(2) Licenses. Every hunter must have in possession a paid special hunting license valid only for the specific special deer management zone. The hunting license shall specify dates of hunting and the type of deer that may be taken as designated by the commission. The special licenses will be issued at locations and on dates announced by the commission. Special licenses shall be issued to Iowa residents only and shall cost the same as deer licenses issued during the general deer seasons. Incentives, including but not limited to issuing additional antlerless-only or any-deer licenses, may be used to attract hunters to a special hunt.

105.2(3) Permitted weapons. Only weapons permitted during the general deer seasons may be used. The commission may limit the use of specific weapons in some deer management zones and seasons on a case-by-case basis to improve the safety of hunters and the surrounding area.

105.2(4) Hunter safety and proficiency. Hunters may be required to pass a weapons proficiency test and attend a meeting prior to hunting in special deer management zones. The meeting will be used to familiarize hunters with zone boundaries, location of private lands, safety areas around buildings, access points, objectives of the hunt and other aspects of hunting in a special deer management zone.

105.2(5) Checking deer. A hunter who takes a deer may be required to check the deer at a designated headquarters prior to leaving the area.

105.2(6) Educational hunts. Hunts in designated special deer management zones may be restricted to youth or novice hunters to introduce them to safe and ethical deer hunting.

a.Age, experience or other eligibility restrictions may be designated by the commission. Zones, seasons and other conditions for hunting will be designated the same as specified in this rule.

b.An adult must accompany each youth participating in an educational hunt. The adult must be licensed as specified in 571—subrule 106.10(1).

c.A novice, nonyouth hunter may be accompanied by an adult mentor. The mentor must have a valid hunting license and have paid the habitat fee, if otherwise required to do so.

105.2(7) Zone request. Deer management zones will be established only upon request from cities, task forces, a county government, the federal government, or an appropriate responsible entity and when approved by the commission.

571—105.3(481A) State parks and recreation areas. A summary of public comments shall be included with other recommendations to the commission related to hunting in a state park or state recreation area.

571—105.4(481A) Urban deer management zones.

105.4(1) Special restrictions. Cities, deer task forces, or other public entities may require hunters to do one or more of the following: pass a hunter safety and education course, pass a weapons proficiency test, or be approved by the appropriate police department or conservation officer.

105.4(2) Other methods. The natural resource commission in cooperation with the city government may approve other methods of deer removal in urban areas.

571—105.5(481A) County park deer management zones—special restrictions. County park managers may require hunters to do one or more of the following: pass a hunter safety and education course, pass a weapons proficiency test, or be approved by the appropriate county sheriff or conservation officer.

571—105.6(481A) Special deer management zones on private land. Special deer management zones may be established on private land when approved by the commission. Zones, seasons, and other conditions for hunting will be determined by the commission. Hunters will be required to comply with all applicable regulations specified in 571—Chapter 106.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code sections 481A.38, 481A.39, 481A.48 and 483A.8.