ARC 9888C

ARC 9888C

NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION[571]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rulemaking related to wild turkey hunting
and providing an opportunity for public comment

    The Natural Resource Commission (Commission) hereby proposes to amend Chapter 98, “Wild Turkey Hunting,” Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

    This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code sections 481A.38, 481A.39, 481A.48, 483A.1, 483A.7 and 483A.24.

State or Federal Law Implemented

    This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code sections 481A.38, 481A.39, 481A.48, 483A.1, 483A.7 and 483A.24 and 2025 Iowa Acts, Senate File 148.

Purpose and Summary

    Chapter 98 governs spring and fall wild turkey hunting by residents and nonresidents. Four amendments are proposed to implement 2025 Iowa Acts, Senate File 148, which removed the requirement that a landowner or tenant, as defined by Iowa Code chapter 483A, select a method of take and instead makes resident turkey hunting licenses valid until filled during the applicable time of year.

Regulatory Analysis

    A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on October 1, 2025. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

     ?   October 21, 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.

Public Comment

    Any interested person may submit comments concerning this proposed rulemaking, which must be received by the Department of Natural Resources (Department) no later than 4:30 p.m. on January 28, 2026. Comments should be directed to:

    Free language assistance: If you speak a non-English language, the Department offers language assistance services free of charge. Contact the Department at chris.ensminger@dnr.iowa.gov.

    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 chris.ensminger@dnr.iowa.gov.

Public Hearing

    A public hearing at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

    Persons who wish to make oral comments at the public hearing will be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rulemaking.

    Any persons who intend to attend the 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 chris.ensminger@dnr.iowa.gov or civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov or by telephone at 712.260.1040 at least seven days before the event.

    Asistencia lingüística gratuita: Si necesita ayuda en un idioma que no sea inglés, comuníquese con el Departamento al chris.ensminger@dnr.iowa.gov o civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov o por teléfono a 712.260.1040 al menos siete días antes del evento.

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).

    The following rulemaking action is proposed:

    ITEM 1.  Amend paragraph 98.1(1)“d” as follows:

    d.  Number of fall licenses. No one may apply for or obtain more than two wild turkey fall hunting licenses. A hunter may obtain no more than two combination shotgun-or-archery licenses, or two archery-only licenses, or one of each. One license of either type may be free to eligible landowners or tenants.

    ITEM 2.  Amend subrule 98.2(4) as follows:

    98.2(4) Archery-only licenses. The total number of available fall archery-only licenses shall not be limited by zones or quotas.

    ITEM 3.  Amend subrule 98.2(5) as follows:

    98.2(5) Landowner/tenant licenses. The total number of available fall landowner/tenant licenses shall not be limited by zones or quotas.

    ITEM 4.  Amend subrule 98.3(2) as follows:

    98.3(2) Landowner/tenant licenses. An eligible resident landowner or tenant may obtain a combination shotgun-or-archery license or a one free archery-only spring turkey license or one free fall turkey license that is valid until filled using an appropriate method of take as defined for the season and only on the farm unit of the landowner or tenant. One combination shotgun-or-archery license or one archery-only license may be obtained in addition to the free spring or fall license. Nonresident landowners are not eligible for resident or landowner turkey hunting licenses.

    a.   Spring combination shotgun-or-archery licenses. A spring combination shotgun-or-archery license will be issued by season and will be valid only on the farm unit of the landowner or tenant.

    b.   Spring archery-only licenses. A spring archery-only license will be valid for all seasons but only on the farm unit of the landowner or tenant.

    c.   Number of spring licenses. One combination shotgun-or-archery license or one archery-only license may be obtained in addition to the free shotgun-or-archery license or the free archery-only license. If an archery-only license and a combination shotgun-or-archery license are obtained, the shotgun-or-archery license must be for season 4. If a free shotgun-or-archery license and a paid shotgun-or-archery license are obtained, one of the licenses must be for season 4.