This bill amends Section 483A.8 of the Iowa Code to define and regulate deer hunting practices, specifically introducing the concepts of "group hunting" and "party hunting." Group hunting is defined as multiple hunters hunting on the same land, either cooperatively or individually, using only the tag of the hunter who harvested the deer. In contrast, party hunting allows resident hunters to share their tags, enabling any member of the party to use any tag for deer taken by the group. The bill permits group hunting for both resident and nonresident hunters, while party hunting is restricted to resident hunters only, with nonresident hunters prohibited from participating in this practice.

Additionally, the bill establishes that violations of these regulations will result in a simple misdemeanor, carrying a scheduled fine of $35. The current rules allow party hunting for residents during specific hunting seasons, and this bill maintains that framework while clarifying the definitions and conditions under which these hunting practices can occur.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 483A.8