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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 11, 2018
DES MOINES, Iowa – DNR conservation officers responded to numerous hunting incidents this weekend during the second shotgun season for deer. The following are incidents that are currently under investigation by the Iowa DNR and any possible charges will be forthcoming.
- On Saturday, December 8, around 9:05 a.m., DNR conservation officers responded to a property damage report in Reasnor in Jasper County. A 13-year-old Jesup boy, shot numerous times at a moving deer with a 20-guage shotgun. One of his rounds hit a residence at 12586 E. 88th Street South. Minimal damage was done to the siding of the house.
- On Sunday, December 9, around 8:30 a.m., DNR conservation officers responded to a report of a man that dropped his loaded muzzleloader causing it to discharge and striking himself in the left wrist and chest. The incident happened in Madison County. Ronny Butler, 39, of Macksburg, was air lifted to a Des Moines hospital and underwent surgery and is expected to survive.
- On Sunday, December 9 around 4:30 p.m., DNR conservation officers responded to a fatal hunting incident at Robert’s Creek Park on the north side of Lake Red Rock. Blake E. Schroder, 23, of Leighton, Iowa, was fatally struck by a round believed to be fired from a member of his large hunting party. An autopsy is pending on Schroder at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny.
- On Sunday, December 9, around 4:30 p.m., DNR conservation officers responded to a property damage report in Dickinson County just west of West Lake Okoboji. A man at 20458 193rd Loop in Milford, was inside a steel building when a bullet entered through the walls. Officials believe it was a stray bullet from a deer hunter, but have not been able to locate a hunter.
- On Sunday, December 9, around 5:06 p.m., DNR conservation officers responded to a property damage report in Butler County. Homeowners at 28353 325th Street in New Hartford heard a loud noise on their window shortly after hearing a gunshot. The owners noticed their window was broken and a shotgun slug was recovered from the scene.
- On Sunday, December 9, DNR conservation officers responded to a property damage incident in Decatur County. A Tama man fired a shot at a deer and missed, hitting a house at 21912 170th Street in Leon.
DNR officials remind hunters of the following safety tips:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
- Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction
- Know your intended target and its surroundings
- Do not touch the trigger of the gun until you're ready to shoot
- Wear as much blaze orange as possible
Media Contact: Alex Murphy, DNR Director of Communications, Alex.Murphy@dnr.iowa.gov or 515.729.7533
Iowa anglers can buy the Missouri and Big Sioux River paddlefish license and tags starting Dec. 15 through Jan. 7.
Buy your special paddlefish license and tags on the Iowa DNR online licenses sales website at www.iowadnr.gov or by telephone at 800-367-1188. A resident license sells for $25.50 and a nonresident license is $49. You must also have a valid Iowa fishing license.
You can buy up to two tags – one from Dec. 15 to Dec. 31 and an additional tag from Jan. 1 to Jan. 7, or two tags if you didn’t buy one in December.
The license, harvest tag(s), regulations, and survey card will be mailed to purchasers in mid-January. The postage paid survey card helps the Iowa DNR evaluate the success of the paddlefish season, so please fill out and return survey cards whether a paddlefish was harvested or not. The Iowa DNR is always working to improve the paddlefish season for anglers; any input provided is considered and is greatly appreciated.
Last year, Iowa anglers bought 350 paddlefish licenses and nonresident anglers bought 50 paddlefish licenses. The Iowa DNR received 76 survey cards from last year’s season (19% response). Anglers averaged just fewer than four paddlefish trips and the average length of fish harvested last year was about 32 1/2 inches.
The Missouri and Big Sioux River paddlefish season opens Feb. 2 and runs through April 30.
Media Contact: Chris Larson, Western Iowa & Missouri River Regional Fisheries Supervisor, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 712-769-2587.
The wildlife refuge at the Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County will be open for public use, including hunting and trapping, on Dec. 18.
The main purpose of the refuge is to provide a safe resting and feeding area for waterfowl. The Hawkeye Wildlife Area is in the south duck and goose zone. Iowa’s south zone duck season closes Dec. 11.
While the goose season will be open until Jan. 19, 2019, geese use of the refuge is minimal this time of year, preferring the open water in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City metro areas. All regulations, shooting hours, bag limits, and license and tag requirements apply during the respective seasons.
Media Contact: Steve Woodruff, Wildlife Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 319-330-7013.
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