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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 26, 2018
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The River Valley OHV Park will remain closed for 2019 due to necessary cleanup following floods and a major fire this past summer.
The 360-acre park is located just east of the Missouri River and adjacent to a levy that often causes excessive amounts of standing water for extended periods of time following flooding events.
After a period of closure, the park was open from 2017 until May 2018 when an illegal campfire destroyed the park and created unsafe conditions for users. Following the fire, several flooding events have occurred which delayed addressing the hazards.
Cleanup work can only take place between November and March due to the Indiana Bat being present in the area. The Indiana Bat is a native of North America and is commonly found in the Midwest and is on the endangered species list. This, coupled with the weather conditions, has created a challenge for the DNR to find a time for potential contractors to evaluate the area on-site in safe conditions and form a plan of removal of the debris.
The park will remained closed until further notice. The park has signage posted and all use of the park is restricted, including motorized and non-motorized recreation. Any violators will be charged with trespassing.
Media Contact: Michelle Reinig, River Valley OHV Park Supervisor, at (712) 769-2587 or Michelle.Reinig@dnr.iowa.gov.
The unseasonably warm weather is causing ice conditions to deteriorate across much of the state. Lakes with the best ice are north of Hwy. 3. Use caution and test the ice thickness frequently if heading out and trust your instincts – if it doesn’t look right, don’t go.
Hunting seasons will begin closing soon, starting with pheasant, archery turkey and deer seasons, and late muzzleloader deer season on Jan. 10, then goose seasons starting in the north zone on Jan. 12, followed by the south zone on Jan. 19, and the Missouri River zone on Jan. 26.
The season for quail, partridge, ruffed grouse, and squirrels closes Jan. 31. Rabbit season closes Feb. 28.
The furbearer hunting and trapping seasons also close on Jan. 31. Furharvesters can continue trapping beavers until April 15.
The January antlerless deer season will open Jan. 11 and close Jan. 27, 2019. The season is open in Allamakee, Clayton, Appanoose and Wayne counties. Currently, only Allamakee and Wayne counties have licenses available, Clayton and Appanoose have sold out.
Iowa hunters have reported harvesting 96,000 deer so far during the 2018 season.
2018 hunting, fishing and trapping licenses expire on Jan. 10, 2019.
Hunter Education Classroom courses are offered by knowledgeable and certified volunteer instructors and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers. Classroom courses are typically 12-15 hours in length and are held over 2 to 3 sessions (days). In order to receive certification, a student must attend all sessions and pass the final exam.
Iowa law requires that anyone born after January 1, 1972 must be certified in hunter education before they are eligible to purchase an Iowa hunting license.
Upcoming Hunter Education Classes
Jan. 12, Ely, American Legion – full but there is a waiting list
Feb. 16, Muscatine, Muscatine County Conservation Board Environmental Learning Center
Feb. 18, Glenwood, Southwest Iowa Sportsmans Club
March 7, Wapello, Langwood Education Center
March 12, Toddville, Wickiup Hill Learning Center
March 21, Dubuque, EB Lyons Interpretive Center – Mines of Spain
March 25, Burlington, Starr’s Cave Nature Center
For more information on these and other hunter education opportunities, go to www.iowadnr.gov/huntered
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