A rule change approved by the administrative rules committee during 2017 Iowa legislative session allows hunters who have a valid permit to carry to carry a handgun while hunting deer under an archery tag. The change was included as part of a gun rules package approved by the committee. Hunters may not use a handgun to shoot a deer during the Oct. 1-Dec. 1 portion of the archery season. Hunters who do not have a permit to carry may not have a handgun in their possession while hunting under an archery tag.

A handgun is a legal method of take for the late muzzleloader season.

(IA DNR Press Release)

Iowa’s young hunters will get to experience the first cackle and flush of the year during the youth only pheasant season Oct. 21st-22nd The residents-only youth season gives Iowans age 15 and younger the opportunity to hunt for rooster pheasants without purchasing a license, habitat fee or taking hunter education. Youths must hunt under direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older that has a valid hunting license and habitat fee. Special youth only seasons allows young hunters an opportunity for success without pressure or competition from other hunters. Only the youth are allowed shoot pheasants and they may bag one rooster per day.

Tips for a Safe Hunt

• Iowa law requires hunters to wear at least one of the following articles of visible, external apparel with at least 50 percent of its surface area solid blaze orange: hat, cap, vest, coat, jacket, sweatshirt, shirt or coveralls.
• Hunters should stay in communication with each other and to stay in a straight line while pushing a field.
• Discuss the hunting plan that spells out how the hunt will take place, each person’s role in the hunt and where each person will be at all times.
• Know exactly where standers will be located, especially when hunting standing corn or tall switch grass to avoid having the standers get shot by the pushers as they near the end of the field and the birds begin to flush.
• Make sure to unload the gun when crossing a fence or other obstacle to avoid it accidentally discharging.
• Properly identify the target and what is beyond it especially if hunting in fields that still have standing corn.
• If hunting with a dog, never lay a loaded gun against a fence.  Hunting dogs are usually excited to be in the field and could knock the gun over causing it to discharge.

Share the hunt. Take someone new along to help keep Iowa’s great hunting tradition alive.

The Iowa DNR is launching a new campaign this week called “Let’s Go Hunting” to encourage more people to either try hunting, to get back into hunting, or for passionate hunters to share their favorite pastime with a beginner. According to Dale Garner, division administrator of the DNR’s Conservation and Recreation Division, the number one reason someone tries hunting for the first time is because they received an invitation from an experienced hunter; often a parent, family member or adult mentor.

“Many people think of passing on hunting traditions to kids, and that’s definitely important,” said Garner. “But we are encouraging hunters to also consider inviting an adult friend, co-workers or spouse, really anyone who has an interest in the outdoors, in discovering a new organic meat source, or even just spending quality time with friends and family.”

The multi-channel campaign includes the development of new videos that showcase “why” people hunt, along with a web page and a social media photo contest, among other campaign components. The campaign will also promote hunter education, the Apprentice License, and hunting-related links and applications, including the DNR’s online license sales site.

Campaign partners include Izaak Walton League, the National Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Raised Hunting, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club International-Iowa Chapter and Whitetails Unlimited. The campaign kicked off on October 16 and will run through mid-December.  To view videos and connect with helpful hunting information to get started, go to: www.iowadnr.gov/letsgohunting