HSB 254 (LSB 2915YC (2) 91)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES BILL BY CHAIRPERSON WULF)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to open season exceptions for taking geese.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 481A.87, subsection 3, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  Prior permission is not required for an owner or tenant of agricultural property or an associated residence located outside the corporate limits of a city to take, capture using a cage trap or dog-proof trap, shoot, or temporarily possess, for the purpose of destroying or disposing of, a raccoon, opossum, any species of goose, or skunk on the property if the owner or tenant in good faith deems the animal to be a nuisance. This subsection does not apply to animals listed pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act or listed as endangered by the commission pursuant to section 481B.3.
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 open season exceptions for taking geese.
   Under current law, an owner or tenant of agricultural property or an associated residence located outside the corporate limits of the city may destroy or dispose through certain allowable methods any raccoon, opossum, or skunk on the property without prior permission if the owner or tenant in good faith deems the animal to be a nuisance, regardless of whether it is an open season for taking the animal. The bill adds geese to the list of animals that may be taken outside of an open hunting season when deemed a nuisance. Certain species of geese are federally protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A person who violates the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act may be subject to penalties under federal law.