SF 422 (LSB 2519SV (1) 91)

SENATE FILE 422

BY  COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 1078)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to allowable deer hunting practices by multiple hunters and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 483A.8, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  10.  a.  As used in this subsection:
   (1)  “Group hunting” means the practice of more than one hunter hunting for deer on the same parcel of land either in cooperation with each other or individually and using only a tag issued to the hunter who has taken the deer.
   (2)  “Party hunting” means the practice of more than one hunter sharing the total number of tags possessed by the hunters and allowing any hunter to use any tag on any deer taken by a member of the party. Party hunting does not include the practice of group hunting.
   b.  Group hunting is allowed for nonresident and resident hunters.
   c.  Party hunting is allowed for resident hunters subject to rules adopted by the commission. Nonresident hunters shall not engage in party hunting.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill defines group hunting and party hunting. The bill allows group hunting for both resident and nonresident hunters. Additionally, the bill allows for the practice of party hunting among persons with a resident hunting license, subject to rules adopted by the natural resource commission, but prohibits the practice among persons with nonresident hunting licenses. Under current rules, party hunting is allowed for residents during the first and second regular gun seasons and the January antlerless deer only seasons.
    A person who violates the bill commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $35.