2012-13 Iowa Hunting And Trapping Regulations - Iowa Department ...

Deer Hunting
deer. Paraplegics and single- or double-leg amputees
may hunt from any stationary motor-driven conveyance.
“Paraplegic” means an individual afflicted
with paralysis of the lower half of the body with the
involvement of both legs, usually due to disease or
injury to the spinal cord.
“Bait” means grain, fruit, vegetables, nuts,
hay, salt, mineral blocks, or any other natural food
materials, commercial products containing natural
food materials, or by-products of such materials
transported to or placed in an area for the purpose of
attracting wildlife. Bait does not include food placed
during normal agricultural activities.
Shooting Firearms Over Water or Highway
You cannot shoot any rifle on or over any of the
public highways or waters of the state or any railroad
right of way. You cannot discharge a shotgun shooting
a slug, a pistol or a revolver on or over a public
roadway.
Additionally, no person shall discharge a rifle,
including a muzzleloading rifle or musket, or a handgun
from a highway; or discharge a shotgun shooting
slugs from a highway north of U.S. Highway 30,
while deer hunting.
Private Property
{
Fence
Ditch
}
Highway or
Roadway
Right-of-Way
(includes
shoulder)
Ditch
Fence
Private Property
LEGAL METHOD OF TAKE
Archery: Longbows, recurve bows, and
compound bows shooting broadhead arrows are
permitted. No explosive or chemical devices may
be attached to the arrow or broadhead. There are
no minimum draw weights for bows or minimum
diameter for broadheads. Arrows must be at least
18 inches long. Draw locks on compound bows are
legal.
Crossbows are not legal except that a physically
handicapped person, as defined on p. 12, may
obtain a permit from the DNR to use a crossbow.
Applications are available at www.iowadnr.
gov then click on licenses and laws and then
on applications, or by visiting the DNR central
office or any of the district offices (p. 45), or by
calling the DNR at 515-281-5918. Residents
70 and older may obtain one Antlerless-only
statewide crossbow deer license. See p. 27 for
details. Hunters may not carry a handgun while
hunting under an archery tag, unless they have an
unfilled transportation tag for a season that allows
handguns.
Shotguns: 10-, 12-, 16-, and 20-gauge shotguns
shooting single slugs only.
Muzzleloaders: Flintlock or percussion cap
muzzleloading rifles or muskets between .44 and
.775 caliber shooting single projectiles; muzzleloading
pistols .44 caliber or larger with a minimum
barrel length of 4 inches and no shoulder
stock or long barrel modifications. Muzzleloaders
equipped with electronic ignition are not allowed.
There are no restrictions on in-line or disktype
muzzleloaders. Riflescopes may also be used.
Handguns: Center-fire handguns .357 caliber
or larger, shooting straight wall ammunition with
an expanding-type bullet. Minimum barrel length
for all handguns is 4 inches. No shoulder stock or
long barrel modifications are allowed.
Only the following center-fire cartridges may
be used: .357 Magnum, .357 Maximum, .375
Winchester, .38 Super, .40 S&W, .401 Powermag,
10 mm Auto, .41 Remington Magnum, .41 Action
Express, .44 S&W Special, .44 Remington Magnum,
.44 Automag, .444 Marlin, .445 Super Mag,
.45 ACP, .45 Colt, .45 Super Mag, .45 Winchester
Magnum, .45 Silhouette, .451 Detonics, .454
Casull, .45-70 Govt., .460 Rowland, .460 S&W
Mag, .475 Widley Magnum, .475 Linebaugh, .480
Ruger, .50 Action Express, .50 Linebaugh, .50
Beowulf and .500 S&W Mag.
Hunters age 16 and under may not use any
handguns. Hunters ages 17 through 20 must be accompanied
by a parent, guardian or spouse who is
at least 21 years old to use a handgun.
Center-fire rifles: Rifles .24 caliber or larger.
24