571—105.2(481A) Special deer management zones.

1. 105.2(1)  Seasons. Deer hunting in a special deer management zone may occur only on dates established by the commission. Season dates may or may not coincide with seasons for general deer hunting outside special deer management zones.
2. 105.2(2)  Licenses. Every hunter must have in possession a paid special hunting license valid only for the specific special deer management zone. The hunting license shall specify dates of hunting and the type of deer that may be taken as designated by the commission. The special licenses will be issued at locations and on dates announced by the commission. Special licenses shall be issued to Iowa residents only and shall cost the same as deer licenses issued during the general deer seasons. Incentives, including but not limited to issuing additional antlerless-only or any-deer licenses, may be used to attract hunters to a special hunt.
3. 105.2(3)  Permitted weapons. Only weapons permitted during the general deer seasons may be used. The commission may limit the use of specific weapons in some deer management zones and seasons on a case-by-case basis to improve the safety of hunters and the surrounding area.
4. 105.2(4)  Hunter safety and proficiency. Hunters may be required to pass a weapons proficiency test and attend a meeting prior to hunting in special deer management zones. The meeting will be used to familiarize hunters with zone boundaries, location of private lands, safety areas around buildings, access points, objectives of the hunt and other aspects of hunting in a special deer management zone.
5. 105.2(5)  Checking deer. A hunter who takes a deer may be required to check the deer at a designated headquarters prior to leaving the area.

6. 105.2(6)  Educational hunts. Hunts in designated special deer management zones may be restricted to youth or novice hunters to introduce them to safe and ethical deer hunting.

   1. a. Age, experience or other eligibility restrictions may be designated by the commission. Zones, seasons and other conditions for hunting will be designated the same as specified in this rule.
   2. b. An adult must accompany each youth participating in an educational hunt. The adult must be licensed as specified in 571—subrule 106.10(1).
   3. c. A novice, nonyouth hunter may be accompanied by an adult mentor. The mentor must have a valid hunting license and have paid the habitat fee, if otherwise required to do so.
7. 105.2(7)  Zone request. Deer management zones will be established only upon request from cities, task forces, a county government, the federal government, or an appropriate responsible entity and when approved by the commission.

Special deer management zone boundaries, seasons, permitted weapons, license quotas, and other conditions for hunting shall be designated annually by the commission.

[ARC 9242C, IAB 5/14/25, effective 6/18/25]