SF 521 (LSB 2193SV (2) 88)

SENATE FILE 521

BY  COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

(SUCCESSOR TO SF 290)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to goose hunting on private property.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 481A.5, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  3.  Additional hunting restrictions caused by the establishment of a refuge area for any wild goose shall not apply to a person hunting on private property during any established goose hunting season except that private property located within a closed area adjacent to a wild goose refuge area shall not be used to allow goose hunting for profit.
    Sec. 2.  Section 481A.7, Code 2019, is amended to read as follows:
   481A.7  Hunting on game refuges.
   1.  It Except as provided in section 481A.5, subsection 3, it shall be unlawful to hunt, pursue, kill, trap or take any wild animal, bird, or game on any state game refuge so established at any time of the year, and no one shall carry firearms thereon, providing, however, that predatory birds and animals may be killed or trapped under the authority and direction of the director.
   2.  The commission may specify the distance from a state game refuge where shooting is prohibited, and shall have notice of same posted at such distance in conspicuous places around the refuge, provided, however, this prohibition shall not apply to owners or tenants a person hunting on their own land outside of a state game refuge private property. The commission may prohibit shooting at any reasonable distance from a state game refuge deemed necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the refuge is established.
    Sec. 3.  Section 481A.39, Code 2019, is amended to read as follows:
   481A.39  Biological balance maintained.
   1.  The commission is designated the sole agency to determine the facts as to whether biological balance does or does not exist. The commission shall, by administrative rule, extend, shorten, open, or close seasons and set, increase, or reduce catch limits, bag limits, size limits, possession limits, or territorial limitations or further regulate taking conditions in accordance with sound fish and wildlife management principles.
   2.  Additional hunting restrictions caused by the establishment of a restricted area for any wild goose, pursuant to subsection 1 of this section, shall not apply to a person hunting on private property during any established goose hunting season.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to goose hunting on private property.
   Current law allows the department of natural resources to establish state game refuges on any land owned by the state to effect sound wildlife management, among other reasons. In establishing a game refuge, the department may promulgate rules that restrict hunting on private property.
   The bill exempts a person hunting on private property from additional restrictions caused by the establishment of a refuge area or restricted area for any wild goose except that private property located within a closed area adjacent to a wild goose refuge area shall not be used to allow hunting for profit. A person hunting on private property must still adhere to other hunting restrictions that would exist regardless of the establishment of a refuge area or restricted area for any wild goose.