For we Iowans, hunting season(s) are very limited at this time of the year. With the exception of Coyote (continuous open season) and pigeons within 100yds. of building/bridges, nothing else is available. We obviously can't have those coyotes getting in the chicken coups, nor the pigeons bombing our bridges, but the rest of the creatures get time to get a little older. I've listed the "tentative" 2002-2003" seasons below, but find one omission – no handgun deer hunting, which has previously been an approved season as per the following legislative information:
RELATING TO THE HUNTING OF DEER WITH A PISTOL OR REVOLVER
AND PROVIDING A PENALTY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. Section 481A.48, Code 1997, is amended by adding the following new unnumbered paragraph:
1 11 NEW UNNUMBERED PARAGRAPH. The commission shall establish
1 12 one or more pistol or revolver seasons for hunting deer as
1 13 separate firearm seasons or to coincide with one or more other
1 14 firearm deer hunting seasons. Any pistol or revolver firing a
1 15 magnum three hundred fifty-seven thousandths of one inch
1 16 caliber or larger, centerfire, straight wall ammunition
1 17 propelling an expanding-type bullet is legal for hunting deer
1 18 during the pistol or revolver seasons. The commission shall
1 19 adopt rules to allow black powder pistols or revolvers for
1 20 hunting deer. The rules shall not allow pistols or revolvers
1 21 with shoulder stock or long-barrel modifications. The barrel
1 22 length of a pistol or revolver use for deer hunting shall be
1 23 at least four inches. The rules may limit types of
1 24 ammunition. A person who is sixteen years of age or less
1 25 shall not hunt deer with a pistol or revolver.
You will note that the handgun cartridges are limited to straight wall ammunition and “expanding-type” bullets. Previous years have had deer/handgun seasons, so I’m sure the following proposed “tentative” schedule simply has an oversight re the handguns usage.
Iowa 2002-2003 Hunting Seasons
Species Dates Inclusive
Youth Rooster Pheasant (age <=15) Oct 19-20
Rooster Pheasant Oct 26-Jan 10
Bobwhite Quail Oct 12-Jan 31
Gray Partridge Oct 14-Nov 30
Turkey (Gun) * Oct 1-Dec 6 & Dec 23-Jan 10
Turkey (Bow only)* Oct 1-Dec 6 & Dec 23-Jan 10
Deer (Bow) Oct 1-Dec 6 & Dec 23-Jan 10
Deer (Muzzleloader) Oct 12-Oct 20 & Dec 23-Jan 10
Youth Deer (12-15yr) Sept 21-Oct 6
and severely disabled
Deer (Shotgun) Dec 7-Dec 11 (first) or Dec 14-Dec 22 (second)
Late Deer Jan 11-17
(Antlerless)**
Ruffed Grouse Oct 5-Jan 31
Rabbit (Cottontail) Sept 1-Feb 28
Rabbit (Jack) Oct 26-Dec 1
Squirrel (Fox/Grey) Sept 1-Jan 31
Groundhog June 15-Oct 31
Crow Oct 15-Nov 30 & Jan 14-March 31
Pigeon *** Oct 1-March 31
Raccoon and Opossum Nov 2-Jan 31
Rox (Red/Gray) Nov 2-Jan 31
Coyote Continuous Open Season
* Resident only
** Restricted by county
*** Within 100yds of building/bridge open year
around
Dan
RELATING TO THE HUNTING OF DEER WITH A PISTOL OR REVOLVER
AND PROVIDING A PENALTY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. Section 481A.48, Code 1997, is amended by adding the following new unnumbered paragraph:
1 11 NEW UNNUMBERED PARAGRAPH. The commission shall establish
1 12 one or more pistol or revolver seasons for hunting deer as
1 13 separate firearm seasons or to coincide with one or more other
1 14 firearm deer hunting seasons. Any pistol or revolver firing a
1 15 magnum three hundred fifty-seven thousandths of one inch
1 16 caliber or larger, centerfire, straight wall ammunition
1 17 propelling an expanding-type bullet is legal for hunting deer
1 18 during the pistol or revolver seasons. The commission shall
1 19 adopt rules to allow black powder pistols or revolvers for
1 20 hunting deer. The rules shall not allow pistols or revolvers
1 21 with shoulder stock or long-barrel modifications. The barrel
1 22 length of a pistol or revolver use for deer hunting shall be
1 23 at least four inches. The rules may limit types of
1 24 ammunition. A person who is sixteen years of age or less
1 25 shall not hunt deer with a pistol or revolver.
You will note that the handgun cartridges are limited to straight wall ammunition and “expanding-type” bullets. Previous years have had deer/handgun seasons, so I’m sure the following proposed “tentative” schedule simply has an oversight re the handguns usage.
Iowa 2002-2003 Hunting Seasons
Species Dates Inclusive
Youth Rooster Pheasant (age <=15) Oct 19-20
Rooster Pheasant Oct 26-Jan 10
Bobwhite Quail Oct 12-Jan 31
Gray Partridge Oct 14-Nov 30
Turkey (Gun) * Oct 1-Dec 6 & Dec 23-Jan 10
Turkey (Bow only)* Oct 1-Dec 6 & Dec 23-Jan 10
Deer (Bow) Oct 1-Dec 6 & Dec 23-Jan 10
Deer (Muzzleloader) Oct 12-Oct 20 & Dec 23-Jan 10
Youth Deer (12-15yr) Sept 21-Oct 6
and severely disabled
Deer (Shotgun) Dec 7-Dec 11 (first) or Dec 14-Dec 22 (second)
Late Deer Jan 11-17
(Antlerless)**
Ruffed Grouse Oct 5-Jan 31
Rabbit (Cottontail) Sept 1-Feb 28
Rabbit (Jack) Oct 26-Dec 1
Squirrel (Fox/Grey) Sept 1-Jan 31
Groundhog June 15-Oct 31
Crow Oct 15-Nov 30 & Jan 14-March 31
Pigeon *** Oct 1-March 31
Raccoon and Opossum Nov 2-Jan 31
Rox (Red/Gray) Nov 2-Jan 31
Coyote Continuous Open Season
* Resident only
** Restricted by county
*** Within 100yds of building/bridge open year
around
Dan