This bill amends the allocation process for nonresident deer hunting licenses in Iowa, specifically addressing the issuance of antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses. The bill establishes a cap of 6,000 licenses for nonresidents, with a requirement that at least 600 of these licenses be reserved for nonresident landowners who own a minimum of 40 acres of land zoned for agricultural purposes. If fewer than 600 nonresident landowners apply for these reserved licenses by the designated deadline, any unissued licenses will be made available for purchase alongside other excess nonresident licenses. Additionally, the bill maintains that no more than 35 percent of both the reserved and remaining licenses can be allocated for bow season.

The bill also clarifies that after the issuance of the 6,000 antlered or any sex licenses, any additional licenses will be exclusively for antlerless deer. The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) will continue to determine the number of nonresident antlerless deer hunting licenses available each year. This legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 483A.8