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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 28, 2021
State conservation officers have charged three men with multiple hunting violations in Des Moines County from two separate investigations for illegal activity that allegedly occurred this fall.
An anonymous call to State Conservation Officer Paul Kay in October began an investigation into the alleged unlawful taking of a mature white-tailed deer that lead officers to discover additional deer and a turkey were also allegedly illegally taken, as well as, multiple violations for hunting over bait and a felon in possession of a firearm. The individual faces the possible loss of hunting privileges as well as the loss of the firearm used to take the deer and turkey.
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The second case grew from an investigation into suspicious activity in northern Des Moines County in November that lead state conservation officers to a machine shed where they discovered three mature white-tailed deer along with several antlerless deer that were allegedly illegally harvested. Officers identified two individuals who were charged with hunting over bait, using firearms and crossbows in archery season and multiple deer tagging violations. Both individuals face the possible loss of hunting privileges as well as the loss of the firearms, bows and crossbow used to take the deer.
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Potential fines and civil damages from these cases could exceed $100,000. All individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty.
Media Contact: Paul Kay, State Conservation Officer, Des Moines County, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 319-759-0751.
2022 is a boat registration year and Iowans will be registering about 215,000 boats before April 30.
Boat registrations are handled by Iowa’s county recorders and boat owners may bring their current registration to any recorder’s office when they renew. Nonresidents who register their boat in Iowa will go to the county where the boat is primarily used.
Owners who purchased a boat from a private seller and are registering it in their name should bring the signed registration and to make sure the title is signed over to them, if applicable.
Boat registrations are good for three years. Only boats displaying a current registration are allowed to operate on Iowa waters. Registration fees go to support water trails, navigation enforcement, aquatic invasive species, boater education and safety, and the registration system.
Media Contact: Susan Stocker, Boating Law Administrator and Education Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-313-6439.
The Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau has openings for seasonal fisheries aides for the summer 2022 season at fisheries offices across Iowa.
Learn about careers in fisheries while working alongside biologists and technicians. Positions are available in research, management, culture or invasive species.
The DNR is looking for applicants who have a keen interest in a biological, conservation or environmental science career or have graduated from or are currently enrolled in a college with a biological, conservation or environmental science program, or are about to enter their first semester of college from high school.
Find more details on job duties, locations and how to apply on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/Employment. Application deadline is January 7, 2022.
For more information about these positions, contact Bryan Hayes at 712-769-2587 or Bryan.Hayes@dnr.iowa.gov
Hunting seasons will begin closing in early January. Pheasant, archery turkey and deer seasons, and late muzzleloader deer season close on Jan. 10. Goose seasons start closing in the north zone on Jan. 8, followed by the central zone on Jan. 15, and the south zone on Jan. 22.
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.
Iowa hunters have reported harvesting 91,000 deer so far during the 2021 season.
2021 hunting, fishing and trapping licenses expire on Jan. 10, 2022.
The January antlerless deer season will open Jan. 11 and close Jan. 23, 2022. The season is open in Allamakee, Appanoose, Decatur, Wayne and Winneshiek counties.
HIP Reminder - Beginning this year, hunters who pursue migratory game birds will be required to register for Harvest Information Program (HIP) either through the Go Outdoors Iowa app on their smartphone, through a link at www.iowadnr.gov/waterfowl or at www.gooutdoorsiowa.com and answering a few questions. Migratory game birds mean more than ducks and geese; it includes ducks, geese, coots, doves, woodcock, rails, and snipe.
Once registered, hunters will need to physically write a confirmation number on the line provided at the top of the license as proof of registration. The HIP registration can be found in the GoOutdoorsIowa mobile app by clicking on the purchase license button, and then logging in to your account. Registering for HIP is a federal requirement for all migratory bird hunters.
The Iowa DNR is busy reserving locations for its town hall-style public meetings that will be held in late February. These meetings are led by local staff who provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested. Meeting dates and times will be announced once the locations are finalized.
The meetings are open to the public. Comments collected from these public meetings will be considered along with other related comments received by the Iowa DNR prior to proposing changes to hunting rules and regulations. Proposed rules will be presented to the Natural Resource Commission during a regular public meeting for consideration and additional public comment.
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