DNR to host public meetings on hunting, trapping seasons

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold 20 town hall-style meetings in March to review recent hunting and trapping seasons and gather public input on potential rule changes.

The meetings will feature updates from local DNR staff on completed seasons and opportunities for hunters and trappers to discuss possible regulation changes, according to Todd Bishop, chief of the Iowa DNR's Wildlife Bureau.

"We want people to come out to these meetings, listen to the seasons reviews, ask questions and hear directly from our staff," Bishop said. "Part of the meeting will be devoted to discussing potential rule changes and collecting feedback as we work through the rules process."

All meetings are open to the public. Comments collected will be considered before the DNR proposes 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.

Previous listening sessions have led to several regulation changes, including modifications to Canada goose hunting closures, later goose season dates with increased bag limits, expanded raccoon hunting and trapping seasons on private land, modified antlerless deer quotas in north central and Western Iowa, and extended regular trapping seasons through the end of February.

The meetings will be held at the following locations:

March 2

Waverly, 6 p.m., Waverly Public Library, 1500 W. Bremer Ave.

March 3

Bloomfield, 6 p.m., Pioneer Ridge Nature Center, 1339 Highway 63

Boone, 6 p.m., Wildlife Research Station, 1436 255th St.

Burlington, 6 p.m., Burlington Public Library, 210 Court St.

Chariton, 6 p.m., Pin Oak Lodge, 45996 State Highway 14

Creston, 6 p.m., Performing Arts Building multipurpose room (124), 1201 W. Townline St.

Decorah, 7 p.m., Franklin W. Olin Building, Room 102, Luther College, 700 College Drive

Des Moines, 6:45 p.m., Des Moines Izaak Walton, 4343 George Flagg Parkway

Maquoketa, 7 p.m., Hurstville Interpretive Center, 18670 63rd St.

Spencer, 6:30 p.m., Iowa Lakes Community College, 1900 Grand Ave., Suite B1

March 4

Iowa City, 5:30 p.m., Johnson County Extension Office, 3109 Old Highway 218 South

Charles City, 6:30 p.m., Public Library Zastrow Room, 910 Clark St.

Okoboji, 6 p.m., Maser Monarch Lodge, 22785 Nature Center Road

Perry, 6 p.m., Dallas County Conservation Board, Forest Park Museum administration building, 14581 K Ave.

March 5

Algona, 7 p.m., Tietz Entrepreneurial Center, Iowa Lakes Community College, 2111 Highway 169 North

Council Bluffs, 5:30 p.m., Bass Pro Shops, 2901 Bass Pro Drive

Hinton, 5 p.m., Dennis L. Sohl Center for Outdoor Learning, Hillview Recreation Area, 25601 C60

Lake View, 6:30 p.m., Speaker Park Shelter House, 418 N. Blossom St.

Toledo, 5:30 p.m., Tama County Nature Center at Otter Creek Lake Park, 2283 Park Road

Ventura, 6 p.m., Clear Lake Wildlife Unit Office, 15326 Balsam Ave.

Anyone attending the public meetings who has special requirements related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the Iowa DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov.