ARC 9242C - Iowa Administrative Rules

Adopted and Filed

Deer population management zones, ch 105

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ARC 9242C

NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION[571]

Adopted and Filed

Rulemaking related to deer population management zones

The Natural Resource Commission (Commission) hereby rescinds Chapter 105, “Deer Population Management Zones,” Iowa Administrative Code, and adopts a new chapter with the same title.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

This rulemaking is adopted under the authority provided in Iowa Code sections 481A.38, 481A.39, 481A.48 and 483A.8.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code sections 481A.38, 481A.48 and 483A.8.

Purpose and Summary

Chapter 105 establishes deer management zones to be used in areas that do not typically have hunting opportunities in order to safely, ethically, and effectively manage deer populations. The chapter includes additional measures for state parks, urban environments, county conservation board property, other government jurisdictions, and private property to make sure that the program is conducted safely and to guide the managing entities through the process. This chapter has been reviewed consistent with Executive Order 10.

Public Comment and Changes to Rulemaking

Notice of Intended Action for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on January 8, 2025, as ARC 8628C. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

●January 28, 2025

●January 29, 2025

No one attended the public hearings. No public comments were received. No changes from the Notice have been made.

Adoption of Rulemaking

This rulemaking was adopted by the Commission on April 8, 2025.

Fiscal Impact

This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

This rulemaking is subject to the waiver provisions of 571—Chapter 11. Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking 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 rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking 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 rulemaking will become effective on June 18, 2025.

The following rulemaking action is adopted:

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.

[Filed 4/17/25, effective 6/18/25]

[Published 5/14/25]

EDITOR’S NOTE: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 5/14/25.