571—94.7 (483A) Method of take. Permitted weapons and devices vary according to the type of season.
	 94.7(1) Bow season. Except for crossbows for persons with certain afflictions of the upper body, as provided in 571—15.5(481A), only longbow, compound or recurve bows shooting broadhead arrows are permitted. Arrows must be at least 18 inches long. No explosive or chemical devices may be attached to the arrow or broadhead.
	 94.7(2) Regular gun season. Only 10-, 12-, 16-, or 20-gauge shotguns, shooting single slugs only, and flintlock or percussion cap lock muzzleloaded rifles or muskets of not less than .44 nor larger than .775 caliber, shooting single projectiles only, and handguns as described in 571—subrule 106.7(3), will be permitted in taking deer during the regular gun season.
	 94.7(3) Muzzleloader and holiday seasons. During the muzzleloader and holiday seasons, deer may be taken with a muzzleloader, handgun, or bow as described in 94.7(1). Muzzleloading rifles are defined as flintlock or percussion cap lock muzzleloaded rifles and muskets of not less than .44 and not larger than .775 caliber, shooting single projectiles only. Centerfire handguns must be .357 caliber or larger shooting straight-walled cartridges propelling an expanding-type bullet (no full-metal jacket) and complying with all other requirements provided in Iowa Code section 481A.48. Legal handgun calibers are listed on the department of natural resources list of “Acceptable Handgun Calibers for Hunting Deer in Iowa.” Revolvers, pistols and black powder handguns must have a 4-inch minimum barrel length. There can be no shoulder stock or long-barrel modifications to handguns. Muzzleloading handguns must be .44 caliber or larger, shooting single projectiles only.
	 94.7(4) Prohibited weapons and devices. The use of dogs, domestic animals, salt or bait, rifles other than muzzleloaded, handguns except as provided in 94.7(3), crossbows except as provided in 571—15.5(481A), automobiles, aircraft, or any mechanical conveyances or device including electronic calls is prohibited except that paraplegics and single or double amputees of the legs may hunt from any stationary motor-driven land conveyance. “Bait” means grain, fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay, salt or mineral blocks or any other natural food materials, or by-products of such materials transported to or placed in an area for the intent of attracting wildlife. Bait does not include food placed during normal agricultural activities. “Paraplegic” means an individual with paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both legs, usually due to disease of or injury to the spinal cord.
It shall be unlawful for a person, while hunting deer, to have on their person a rifle other than a muzzleloading rifle that meets the requirements of 571—subrule 106.7(3).
	 94.7(5) Discharge of firearms from highway. No person shall discharge a shotgun shooting slugs or a rifle, including a muzzleloading rifle or musket, or a handgun from a highway during the regular gun seasons in all counties and parts of counties north of Highway 30. A “highway” means the way between property lines open to the public for vehicle traffic, including the road ditch, as defined in Iowa Code section 321.1(78).
	 94.7(6) Hunting from blinds. No person shall use a blind for hunting deer during the regular gun deer seasons as defined in 94.2(2), unless such blind exhibits a solid blaze orange marking visible in all directions with a minimum height of 12 inches and a minimum width of 12 inches. Such blaze orange shall be affixed directly on or directly on top of the blind. For the purposes of this subrule, the term “blind” is defined as a place of concealment constructed, either wholly or partially from man-made materials, and used by a person who is hunting for the purpose of hiding from sight. A blind is not a naturally occurring landscape feature or an arrangement of natural or agricultural plant material that a hunter uses for concealment. In addition to the requirements in this subrule, hunters using blinds must also satisfy the requirements of wearing blaze orange as prescribed in Iowa Code section 481A.122.
[ARC 7687B, IAB 4/8/09, effective 5/13/09; ARC 8887B, IAB 6/30/10, effective 8/18/10]