Relating to deer hunting licenses available to nonresident hunters

Topics:Environment & natural resources

Same legislation: SF 2344

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Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 31, 2022
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 1, 2022
Done: Senate committeeFebruary 21, 2022
Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 2344
Next: House committee
Next: Passes the House
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Became SF 2344 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 2344 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Iowa would allow 7,500 deer hunting licenses for people who do not live in the state, up from the current limit of 6,000. Out of those licenses, 750 would be set aside for hunters who do not have any preference points. If a nonresident hunter takes an antlerless deer in a specific area, they would receive an extra preference point.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to deer hunting licenses available to nonresident hunters. Currently, the natural resource commission (NRC) issues up to 6,000 antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses to nonresidents. The bill increases that amount to 7,500. The bill requires NRC to make 750 of the antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses available to nonresident applicants who have zero preference points. A drawing for those licenses shall occur prior to a drawing in current law for applicants with the most preference points that continues to pools of applicants with successively fewer preference points until all available nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses have been issued. The bill provides that if a nonresident hunting deer takes an antlerless deer in a zone that is above the population goal determined by NRC, then NRC will assign one preference point to the nonresident, which shall be in addition to any preference points purchased or acquired after failing to obtain an antlered or any sex deer hunting license from a drawing. The department of natural resources shall determine a method for verifying a harvest in a zone that is above the population goal.

Full bill text²

Senate subcommittee

Named February 1, 2022. On February 8, 2022 it recommended passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Fiscal note

AI summary This bill increases the number of nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses available each year to 7,500 and creates a new way for hunters to earn preference points. It is estimated to result in an increase of revenue of $954,000 annually to the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund.³

Read the fiscal note

Description

Senate File 2344 increases the number of nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses that are available annually to 7,500. In addition, the Bill provides an additional way for a nonresident hunter to accumulate preference points used in determining the distribution of nonresident deer hunting licenses.

Background

Currently, the Natural Resource Commission (NRC) is limited to issuing 6,000 nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses annually. After the limit is reached, the NRC may determine a number of nonresident antlerless only deer hunting licenses to issue. If a nonresident does not receive an antlered or any sex deer hunting license due to the limited number, the NRC will assign one preference point to the nonresident for that year and for each successive year the nonresident does not receive a license. The more preference points a person has, the more likely the person will be able to receive a nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting license. The total cost for a nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting license is $636 before additional fees.

Fees from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses go to the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund, which is used for fish and wildlife research, education, management, and expansion of wildlife opportunities. The fund is constitutionally protected and must be used for these purposes by the DNR.