ARC 2033C
NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION[571]
Notice of Intended Action
Twenty-five interested persons, a governmental subdivision, an agency or association of 25 or more persons may demand an oral presentation hereon as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)“b.”
Notice is also given to the public that the Administrative Rules Review Committee may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this proposed action under section 17A.8(6) at a regular or special meeting where the public or interested persons may be heard.
Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code sections 455A.5(6), 481A.38, 481A.39, and 481A.48, the Natural Resource Commission hereby gives Notice of Intended Action to amend Chapter 91, “Waterfowl and Coot Hunting Seasons,” Iowa Administrative Code.
Chapter 91 contains the regulations for hunting waterfowl and coot and includes season dates, bag limits, possession limits, shooting hours, and areas open to hunting. The proposed amendments adjust the season dates to comply with the 2015-2016 federal regulations as anticipated by the Department of Natural Resources, based on meetings with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) this year at the Mississippi Flyway Council. The final USFWS regulations are not published until July, yet the season begins in September. Therefore, the Department is obligated to begin the rule-making process before the final parameters have been set. The proposed amendments also ensure that the seasons open on weekends and include a special September teal season allowing 16 days of additional hunting for all species of teal. The additional season will not adversely impact teal numbers and will allow Iowa hunters 16 more days of recreational hunting opportunity during the peak migration period for teal. The zones and season dates provide different opening and closing dates for the duck season in each zone.
Any interested person may make written suggestions or comments on the proposed amendments on or before June 30, 2015. Written comments may be directed to the Dale Garner, Wildlife Bureau Chief, Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034; by e-mail to wildlife@dnr.iowa.gov; or by fax to (515)725-8202. Persons who wish to convey their comments orally may contact the Department’s Wildlife Bureau at (515)725-8200 or by visiting the fourth floor of the Wallace State Office Building during regular business hours.
There will be a public hearing on June 30, 2015, at 2 p.m. in the third floor conference room of the Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa. At the public hearing, persons may present their views either orally or in writing. Participants will be asked to give their names and addresses for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of the amendments.
Any persons who intend to attend the public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Department and request specific accommodations.
After analysis and review of this rule making, there will be not be an impact on jobs in the state since the changes only adjust for calendar date changes.
These amendments are intended to implement Iowa Code sections 481A.38, 481A.39, and 481A.48.
The following amendments are proposed.
	Item 1. Amend subrules 91.1(2) to 91.1(4) as follows:
	91.1(2) Season dates - north zone. Special September teal season: September 6 5 through September 21 20. For all ducks:	October 4 3 through October 19 18 and October 25 24 through December 7 6.
	91.1(3) Season dates - south zone. Special September teal season: September 6 5 through September 21 20. For all ducks:	October 4 3 through October 8 7 and October 18 17 through December 11 10.
	91.1(4) Season dates - Missouri River zone. Special September teal season: September 6 5 through September 21 20. For all ducks:	October 4 3 through October 8 7 and October 25 24 through December 18 17.
	Item 2. Amend subrules 91.3(2) to 91.3(4) and 91.3(8) to 91.3(11) as follows:
	91.3(2) Season dates - north zone. Canada geese and brant: September 27 26 through January 2, 2015 1, 2016. White-fronted geese: September 27 26 through December 9 8. Light geese (white and blue-phase snow geese and Ross’ geese): September 27 26 through January 11, 2015 10, 2016.
	91.3(3) Season dates - south zone. Canada geese and brant: October 4 3 through January 9, 2015 8, 2016. White-fronted geese: October 4 3 through December 16 15. Light geese (white and blue-phase snow geese and Ross’ geese): October 4 3 through January 16, 2015 15, 2016.
	91.3(4) Season dates - Missouri River zone. Canada geese and brant: October 11 10 through January 16, 2015 15, 2016. White-fronted geese: October 11 10 through December 23 22. Light geese (white and blue-phase snow geese and Ross’ geese): October 11 10 through January 16, 2015 15, 2016.
	91.3(8) Light goose conservation order season. Only light geese (white and blue-phase snow geese and Ross’ geese) may be taken under a conservation order from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from January 17, 2015 16, 2016, through April 15, 2015 2016.
	a.  to e.  No change.
	91.3(9) Cedar Rapids/Iowa City goose hunting zone.
	a. 	Season dates. September 6 5 through September 14 13.
	b.  to d.  No change.
	91.3(10) Des Moines goose hunting zone.
	a. 	Season dates. September 6 5 through September 14 13.
	b.  to d.  No change.
	91.3(11) Cedar Falls/Waterloo goose hunting zone.
	a. 	Season dates. September 6 5 through September 14 13.
	b.  to d.  No change.
	Item 3. Amend rule 571—91.6(481A) as follows:
571—91.6(481A) Youth waterfowl hunt. A special youth waterfowl hunt will be held on September 26 and 27 and 28 in the north duck hunting zone, October 10 and 11 and 12 in the south duck hunting zone, and October 17 and 18 and 19 in the Missouri River duck hunting zone. Youth hunters must be residents of Iowa as defined in Iowa Code section 483A.1A and less than 16 years old. Each youth hunter must be accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older. The youth hunter does not need to have a hunting license or stamps. The adult must have a valid hunting license and habitat stamp if normally required to have them to hunt and a state waterfowl stamp. Only the youth hunter may shoot ducks and coots. The adult may hunt for any other game birds for which the season is open. The daily bag and possession limits are the same as for the regular waterfowl season, as defined in rule 571—91.1(481A). All other hunting regulations in effect for the regular waterfowl season apply to the youth hunt.