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91st General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

HF 866: Relating to open season exceptions for taking geese

Died when the session ended · The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died.

What it does

This bill relates to open season exceptions for taking geese. Under current law, an owner or tenant of agricultural property or an associated residence located outside the corporate limits of the city may destroy or dispose through certain allowable methods any raccoon, opossum, or skunk on the property without prior permission if the owner or tenant in good faith deems the animal to be a nuisance, regardless of whether it is an open season for taking the animal. The bill adds geese to the list of animals that may be taken outside of an open hunting season when deemed a nuisance. Certain species of geese are federally protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A person who violates the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act may be subject to penalties under federal law.

Sponsors

Natural Resources committee

Cost

No fiscal note

House subcommittee · named February 25, 2025

  • Rep. Derek Wulf (R) · derek.wulf@legis.iowa.gov
  • Rep. Eric J. Gjerde (D) · eric.gjerde@legis.iowa.gov
  • Rep. Sam Wengryn (R) · sam.wengryn@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 0 for, 6 against

Against: Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; Humane World for Animals; Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club; Iowa Conservation Alliance; Iowa Sportsmans Club; Izaak Walton League - Iowa Division

In plain words

  1. February 25, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Natural Resources committee · as HSB 254
  2. February 25, 2025House subcommittee named: Wulf, Gjerde and Wengryn · as HSB 254
  3. March 4, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 254
  4. March 4, 2025Approved by the House committee · as HSB 254
  5. March 4, 2025Committee vote: 15–6 · as HSB 254
  6. March 7, 2025Filed in the House
  7. March 7, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 866 · as HSB 254
  8. April 3, 2025Sent to the House Natural Resources committee

From public records at legis.iowa.gov, compiled by Funnel (iowafunnel.com), an independent, nonpartisan site. Current as of Monday, November 9, 2026. https://iowafunnel.com/bills/91/HF866