In the 2020 passage of HF716, the Iowa Legislature made every effort to create inclusivity moving forward, rather than an exclusive list perpetually behind the curve of innovative sportsmen and the evolving firearms industry. Iowa lawmakers recognized the inherent problems facing the outdoors community and helped them get back out into the field and enjoy one of Iowa’s most precious resources. They made hunting simple again, rather than full of ever-changing lists and annual procedures to beg for your individual chambering to be added or retained. Here is the paragraph in code being referred to:
“A barrel length of at least four inches and firing straight wall or other centerfire ammunition propelling an expanding type bullet with a maximum diameter of no less than three hundred fifty thousandths of one inch and no larger than five hundred thousandths of one inch and with a published or calculated muzzle energy of five hundred foot pounds or higher is legal for hunting deer”.
Does anyone remember the US Postal Service commercials they ran after the ‘flat rate’ boxes were introduced? “If it fits, it ships!” The paragraph above is a similar precept. If your weapon is chambered with a bullet of .350″ to .500″ and has 500lbs+ of energy from a 4″+ barrel, enjoy your safe hunt in Iowa! The Iowa legislature created an inclusive “box” for hunters and offered them the freedom to choose and use weapons chambered within that same box during the December season.
Back to the IA DNR ‘clarification’ press release… Below is the part of the release you should be concerned with:
Prior to beginning the rulemaking process, the Iowa DNR is first soliciting information from hunters on cartridges commonly used to hunt deer in Iowa. Hunters may submit their calibers along with their justification to wildlife@dnr.iowa.gov by Dec. 14, 2020.
It would have been wise to explain to the public how the rule-making process occurs. Unfortunately, the IA DNR did not. Additionally, and most problematic, is the second sentence. Most Iowans interpreted that as: “You can individually contact the IA DNR and grovel for the chance to use the weapon you already own and we’ll take it under advisement.”
The all-inclusive box as opposed to a chance to submit with justification are components of an equation that doesn’t balance. Those two things aren’t even remotely similar. The IA DNR press release, much like their initial email, just days before the big deer season, have both proven to be examples of what not to do.
IFC has been in constant contact with the IA DNR and many legislators since this began. We hope to help shape the process and provide a stable and healthy outcome. We also seek to keep you informed. As of now, your best bet is to stay tuned and send an email through our ACTION ALERT service. When you take two moments to send that message it reaches the IA DNR Director and the address for the rule-making commentary.
TAKE ACTION NOW AND SEND THE IOWA DNR A CLEAR MESSAGE
TO STOP THEIR CONTINUAL OVERREACH!
****Link to the IA DNR clarification press release. Full IA DNR press release:
Clarification on 2021/22 deer hunting season request for comments
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wanted to clarify that there are no changes to legal firearms for the 2020 shotgun hunting seasons starting this weekend.
The Iowa DNR is asking for hunter input ahead of the 2021-2022 deer seasons.
Prior to beginning the rulemaking process, the Iowa DNR is first soliciting information from hunters on cartridges commonly used to hunt deer in Iowa. Hunters may submit their calibers along with their justification to wildlife@dnr.iowa.gov by Dec. 14, 2020.
A draft rule will be presented to the Natural Resource Commission for initial approval and if approved, available for official public comment in 2021. A final rule will not be developed until all public comments and feedback are considered.
Does this mean we can now use rifle rounds?
While not found in the 2020/21 rules, this is essentially what the newly codified law states:
“A rifle cartridge is approved for use for deer hunting if Iowa if it meets all the following criteria:
(a) it is straight wall or other centerfire ammunition;
(b) it is an expanding-type bullet;
(c) it has a maximum diameter of no less than three hundred fifty thousandths of one inch and
no larger than five hundred thousandths of one inch;
(d) it has a published or calculated muzzle energy of five hundred foot pounds or higher for
the barrel length of the rifle being used.”
Reference: Iowa House File 517
Gary Barton’s comment about a 410 being legal. When did that change ? I’ve never heard of this before…tyia
Jim,
Please see page 37 (10, 12, 16, and 20ga slugs only) here: https://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/Hunting/huntingregs.pdf
Are hunters as individuals and the IFC as a whole allowed to litigate this issue and in short sue the idiots who are Breaking the law, the DNR. IF so why not. Get into their pockets deep!
Given you clearly posted the law past by the legislators with specifications as long as you follow those guidelines what can the really do to you? Why bother to contact them for permission as it appears if you follow the guidelines you should be ok.
When people have a department or agency that operates outside the confines of the law, plenty can go wrong. That has happened, right here, in this state, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
In fact, they appear to have more regulatory authority than any other department in the state. Via tax funding, the DNR lobbies and shapes the law through the legislative process, they then make ‘rules’ based on the laws passed rather than adhering to the laws passed and then offer up their recommendations to the NRC. From that point, they enforce through the threat of fines, jail, liens, etc. their version of enforcement. The IA DNR is Judge, Jury, and Executioner in this sense. So yeah, they can do plenty to you and me.
Poor and illegal practices should be stopped at the moment they are known. Otherwise, you get runaway bureaucracies.
I have hunted for 75 years, mostly in Ohio. Now in Iowa for 16 years. You make it too darn complicated. Shotgun season will start in 2 days and you are coming up new changes. Shotguns being legal are 410 gauge, 10 gauge, 12 gauge, 16 gauge and 20 gauge. As far as I know these are all the sizes that I am aware too be used. You are good at confusing me and most likely other people as well. So why are you all of the sudden talking about years 2021 & 2022. Further you have in the past and now talking about straight line sides of casings, that rules out every weapon I own used in deer hunting.
If your weapon is chambered with a bullet of .350″ to .500″ and has 500lbs+ of energy from a 4″+ barrel, enjoy your safe hunt in Iowa. Who in the world are making these kind of rules and regulations. 4″ barrel on a shotgun is illegal in every State of this country, it’s called a sawed off shotgun. You have an early Muzzleloader and a late Muzzleloader season. So when your talking shotguns and muzzleloader which are two different kind of weapon, stop mixing the two together. I assume when you talk about 4″ barrel you mean handguns, please say what you mean and mean what you say. Please contact other DNR in this country who most likely have a better grasp of rules and regulations than you seem to have and consider using regs that are understandable.
Gary,
This section of the code refers to centerfire pistols / rifles, not shotguns. You appear to be operating on a misconception. Also, a 4″ shotgun, while not part of this discussion is considered a registered “SBS” (Short barreled shotgun) and is legal through the NFA – state and local laws apply, of course.