481A.56A  Retrieval of wounded deer by leashed dogs.
  A person having a valid hunting license and a valid deer hunting license who has wounded a deer while hunting may use a dog to track and retrieve the wounded deer. An unarmed dog handler assisting in the recovery of a wounded deer is exempt from the licensing requirements as long as the handler is associated with the licensed hunter who wounded the deer. Any person using a dog for tracking wounded deer must maintain physical control of the dog at all times during the search by means of a maximum fifty-foot lead attached to the dog’s collar or harness. The licensed hunter who wounded the deer may dispatch the deer using a legal method of take authorized by the person’s deer hunting license consistent with all rules and regulations for that season. A person shall not chase, hunt, wound, or kill any animal other than the deer that the hunter is tracking, except in self-defense. Using a dog to track a wounded deer on private property is permissible with consent of the property owner. A person using a dog to track a wounded deer outside of legal deer hunting hours shall not be in possession of a firearm or archery device. The commission may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement this section.
2020 Acts, ch 1096, §1; 2021 Acts, ch 43, §1
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(r)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph r
Section amended