SF 2242 (LSB 5160SV (1) 90)

SENATE FILE 2242

BY  COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

(SUCCESSOR TO SF 2043)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to special landowner deer hunting licenses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 483A.24, subsection 2, paragraph c, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   c.  Upon written application on forms furnished by the department, the department shall issue annually without fee two deer hunting licenses, one antlered or any sex deer hunting license and one antlerless deer only deer hunting license, to the owner of a farm unit or a member of the owner’s family, but only a total of two licenses for both, and to the tenant of a farm unit or a member of the tenant’s family, but only a total of two licenses for both. The deer hunting licenses issued shall be valid only for use on the farm unit for which the applicant applies pursuant to this paragraph. The owner or the tenant need not reside on the farm unit to qualify for the free deer hunting licenses to hunt on that farm unit. The free deer hunting licenses issued pursuant to this paragraph shall be valid and may be used during any bow or firearm deer hunting season. The licenses may be used to harvest deer in two different seasons open season using a method of take authorized for that season, subject to any other restrictions that may apply, without first designating a season of use for the license, but only one deer shall be harvested for each license. In addition, a person who receives a free deer hunting license pursuant to this paragraph shall pay a one dollar fee for each license that shall be used and is appropriated for the purpose of deer herd population management, including assisting with the cost of processing deer donated to the help us stop hunger program administered by the commission.
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 special landowner deer hunting licenses. The bill allows the two special deer hunting licenses issued to resident landowners or tenants, or their family members, to be used without first designating the season of use for the license. The bill allows the licenses to be used in any open season using a method of take authorized for that season. Current law specifies that the licenses may only be used during any bow or firearm deer hunting season and for harvesting deer during two different seasons.