reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.13A - Conviction required for property confiscation — return of property.

481A.13A Conviction required for property confiscation — return of property.
1. The state shall not confiscate property seized under section 481A.12 or 481A.13 unless the person from whom the property was seized is convicted of the violation for which the property was seized. However, the state shall not return any fish or wildlife that is illegal to possess, including fish or wildlife that was taken, possessed, or transported unlawfully.
2. If the person from whom the property was seized is not convicted of the violation for which the property was seized, the department, law enforcement agency, or other governmental agency in possession of the seized property shall return the seized property to the person within thirty days of any of the following:
a. The date the person is found not guilty of the violation.
b. The date the action involving the violation is dismissed.
c. The date the statute of limitations expires for the alleged violation for which the property was seized.
3. For purposes of this section, “convicted” includes a finding of guilt, payment of a scheduled fine, a plea of guilty, deferred judgment, deferred or suspended sentence, adjudication of delinquency, or circumstance where a person is not charged with a criminal offense related to the violation based in whole or in part on the person’s agreement to provide information regarding the criminal activity of another person.
2018 Acts, ch 1150, §4
Referred to in §481A.11, 481A.13, 483A.32, 483A.33
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.14 - Dams — fishways.

481A.14 Dams — fishways.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to place, erect, or cause to be placed or erected, any dam or other device or contrivance in such manner as to hinder or obstruct the free passage of fish up, down, or through such waters, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Dams for manufacturing or other lawful purposes may be erected across the waters of the state. No permanent dam or obstruction across such waters shall be erected or maintained which is not provided with a fishway, except by written approval of the director, nor shall any pumping station or plant except sand pumping and dredging machines, in or connected with such waters be constructed or operated except by written approval of the director, which is not provided with screens to prevent fish from entering the pumping station or plant. Such fishways and screens shall be constructed and used according to the plans and specifications prepared and furnished by the director. Any dam, obstruction, or pumping plant which is not so constructed is a public nuisance and may be abated accordingly.
[C97, §2540, 2547, 2548; S13, §2547; SS15, §2540, 2548; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1741; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.14]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §1855
C93, §481A.14
Nuisances in general, chapter 657
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.15 - Destruction or alteration of dam.

481A.15 Destruction or alteration of dam.
It is unlawful for any owner or the owner’s agent to remove or destroy any existing dam, or alter it in a way so as to lower the water level, without having received written approval from the environmental protection commission of the department.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1742; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.15; 82 Acts, ch 1199, §54, 96]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §1853
C93, §481A.15
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.16 - Taking by director for stocking and exchange.

481A.16 Taking by director for stocking and exchange.
The director may take from the public waters of the state, at any time and in any manner, any fish for the purpose of propagating or restocking other waters, or exchanging with fish and wildlife agencies of other states, the federal government, or private fish hatcheries.
[C97, §2546; S13, §2546; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1744; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.16]
83 Acts, ch 110, §1
C93, §481A.16
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.17 - Target shooting sports program.

481A.17 Target shooting sports program.
The department shall establish a target shooting sports program to promote recreational target shooting sports. The purposes of the program shall be to introduce more Iowans to target shooting sports, promote existing target shooting programs, provide more target shooting facilities, and improve existing target shooting facilities. The commission may adopt rules to achieve these purposes.
2012 Acts, ch 1118, §6
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.18 - Hunting incidents — mandatory reporting.

481A.18 Hunting incidents — mandatory reporting.
This section applies to a person who is involved in a hunting incident with a firearm or a fall from a device that allows or assists a person to hunt from an elevated location, if the hunting incident results in an injury to a person, or property damage exceeding one hundred dollars. The person shall report the hunting incident to the sheriff’s office in the county where the hunting incident occurred or to the department within twelve hours after the hunting incident occurred. However, if an injury caused by the hunting incident prevents timely reporting, the person shall make the report as soon as practicable. A person who fails to report the hunting incident as required in this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
90 Acts, ch 1198, §1
C91, §109.18
C93, §481A.18
2008 Acts, ch 1161, §15
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.19 - Reciprocity of states.

481A.19 Reciprocity of states.
1. a. Any person licensed by the authority of Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, or South Dakota to take fish, game, mussels, or fur-bearing animals from or in the waters forming the boundary between such state and Iowa, may take such fish, game, mussels, or fur-bearing animals from that portion of said waters lying within the territorial jurisdiction of this state, without having procured a license from the director of this state, in the same manner that persons holding Iowa licenses may do, if the laws of Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, or South Dakota, respectively, extend a similar privilege to persons so licensed under the laws of Iowa.
b. Any person licensed by the authority of Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, or South Dakota to take fish, game, mussels, or fur-bearing animals from or in lands under the jurisdiction of any of those states may take such fish, game, mussels, or fur-bearing animals from or in lands under the jurisdiction of the commission when such land is adjacent to that respective state but is separated from other land in Iowa by a body of water, without having procured a license from the director of this state, in the same manner that persons holding Iowa licenses may do, if the laws of Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, or South Dakota, respectively, extend a similar privilege to persons so licensed under the laws of Iowa.
2. Any privileges conferred by this section shall be subject to a reciprocal agreement as negotiated by the commission and the authority of a state provided in subsection 1 which confers upon a licensee of this state reciprocal rights, privileges, and immunities as provided in section 483A.31. Such agreements may include determination of which state’s seasons and limits shall apply for specific geographical areas.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1762; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.19]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §1855
C93, §481A.19
2008 Acts, ch 1161, §16; 2009 Acts, ch 144, §15, 16; 2011 Acts, ch 34, §108
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.20 - Parrots and canaries.

481A.20 Parrots and canaries.
This chapter shall not be construed to forbid the selling or shipping of parrots, canaries, or any other cage birds which are imported from other countries or not native to any part of the United States.
[S13, §2563-r; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1777; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.20]
C93, §481A.20
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.21 - Birds as targets.

481A.21 Birds as targets.
A person shall not keep or use any live pigeon or other bird as a target, to be shot at for amusement or as a test of skill in marksmanship, or shoot at a bird kept or used for such purpose, or be a party to such shooting, or lease any building, room, field, or premises, or knowingly permit the use thereof, for the purpose of such shooting. This section does not prevent any person from shooting at live pigeons, sparrows, and starlings when used in the training of hunting dogs. This section does not prevent any person from shooting at a game bird that is released a minimum of twenty-five yards from that person on a licensed hunting preserve. For the purposes of this section, “game bird” means the same as defined in section 484B.1.
[S13, §2563-i; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1778; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.21]
88 Acts, ch 1216, §5
C93, §481A.21
2009 Acts, ch 179, §213, 217; 2010 Acts, ch 1154, §1
Referred to in §481A.22, 805.8B(3)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph c
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.22 - Field and retriever meets — permits and tags required.

481A.22 Field and retriever meets — permits and tags required.
1. a. All officially sanctioned field meets or trials and retriever meets or trials where the skill of dogs is demonstrated in pointing, retrieving, trailing, or chasing any game bird, game animal, or fur-bearing animal shall require a field trial permit. Except as otherwise provided by law, it shall be unlawful to kill any wildlife in such events. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 481A.21 it shall be lawful to hold field meets or trials and retriever meets or trials where dogs are permitted to work in exhibition or contest whereby the skill of dogs is demonstrated by retrieving dead or wounded game birds which have been propagated by licensed game breeders within the state or secured from lawful sources outside the state and lawfully brought into the state. All of the birds must be released on the day of trials on premises where the trials are held.
b. Any birds released may be shot by official guns after having secured a permit as provided in this section.
c. The permits may be issued by the director of the department upon proper application and the payment of a fee of two dollars for each trial held. A representative of the department shall attend all such trials and enforce the laws and regulations governing same.
2. The person or persons designated by the committee in charge to do the shooting for the trials shall be known as the official guns, and no other person shall be permitted to kill or attempt to kill any of the birds released for such trials.
3. Before any birds are released under this section, they must each have attached a tag provided by the department and attached by a representative of the department at a cost of not more than ten cents for each tag. All tags are to remain attached to birds until prepared for consumption.
4. It is unlawful for any person to hold, conduct, or to participate in a field or retriever trial before the permit required by this section has been secured or for any person to possess or remove from the trial grounds any birds which have not been tagged as required in this section.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.22]
86 Acts, ch 1244, §24; 90 Acts, ch 1216, §7
C93, §481A.22
2015 Acts, ch 30, §157; 2016 Acts, ch 1011, §88
Referred to in §481A.6A, 805.8B(3)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph c
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.23 - Transportation for sale prohibited.

481A.23 Transportation for sale prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation, except as otherwise provided, to offer for transportation or to transport by common carrier or vehicle of any kind, to any place within or without the state, for the purposes of sale, any of the fish, game, animals, or birds taken, caught, or killed within the state, or to peddle any of such fish, game, animals, or birds.
[C97, §2555; SS15, §2540, 2555; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1780; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.23]
C93, §481A.23
See also §481A.32 and 481A.38
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.24 - Use of mobile radio transmitter prohibited — exceptions.

481A.24 Use of mobile radio transmitter prohibited — exceptions.
1. For the purposes of this section:
a. “One-way mobile radio transmitter” means a radio capable of transmitting a signal only but not capable of transmitting a voice signal. The signal may be tracked or located by radio telemetry or located by an audible sound.
b. “Two-way mobile radio transmitter” means a radio capable of transmitting and receiving voice messages including, but not limited to, a citizen band radio or a cellular telephone.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who is hunting shall not use a one-way or two-way mobile radio transmitter to communicate the location or direction of game or fur-bearing animals or to coordinate the movement of other hunters. This subsection does not apply to the hunting of coyotes except during the shotgun deer season as set by the commission under section 481A.38.
3. A licensed falconer may use a one-way mobile radio transmitter to recover a free-flying bird of prey properly banded and covered on the falconry permit.
4. A person hunting with the aid of a dog may use at any time a one-way mobile transmitter designed to track or aid in the recovery of the dog.
[C79, 81, §109.24]
88 Acts, ch 1216, §6
C93, §481A.24
93 Acts, ch 119, §1; 94 Acts, ch 1147, §1
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(d)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph d
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.26 - Unlawful transportation.

481A.26 Unlawful transportation.
No person, except as otherwise provided, shall ship, carry or transport in any one day, game, fish, birds, or animals, except fur-bearing animals in excess of the number legally permitted to be in possession of such a person.
[C97, §2555; SS15, §2555; C24, 27, 31, §1783; C35, §1782-e1; C39, §1782.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.26]
C93, §481A.26
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(c)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph c
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.30 - Entire shipment contraband.

481A.30 Entire shipment contraband.
In the shipping of fish, game, animals, birds, or furs, whenever a container includes one or more fish, game, animals, birds, or furs that are contraband, the entire contents of the container shall be deemed contraband and shall be seized by the director or the director’s officers.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1787; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.30]
C93, §481A.30
2022 Acts, ch 1032, §81
Section amended
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.31 - Game brought into the state.

481A.31 Game brought into the state.
It shall be lawful for any person, firm, or corporation to have in possession any fish or game lawfully taken outside the state and lawfully brought into the state, but the burden of proof shall be upon the person in such possession to show that such fish or game was lawfully killed and lawfully brought into the state.
[SS15, §2555; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1788; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.31]
C93, §481A.31
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.32 - Violations — penalties.

481A.32 Violations — penalties.
1. A person who does any of the following is guilty of a simple misdemeanor and shall be assessed a minimum fine of twenty dollars for each offense for which no other punishment is provided:
a. Takes, catches, kills, injures, destroys, has in possession, buys, sells, ships, or transports any frogs, fish, mussels, birds, their nests, eggs, or plumage, fowls, game, or animals or their fur or raw pelt in violation of the provisions of this chapter or of administrative rules of the commission.
b. Uses any device, equipment, seine, trap, net, tackle, firearm, drug, poison, explosive, or other substance or means, the use of which is prohibited by this chapter.
c. Uses any device, equipment, seine, trap, net, tackle, firearm, drug, poison, explosive, or other substance or means at a time, place, or in a manner or for a purpose prohibited.
d. Does any other act in violation of the provisions of this chapter or of administrative rules of the commission.
2. Each fish, fowl, bird, bird’s nest, egg, or plumage, and animal unlawfully caught, taken, killed, injured, destroyed, possessed, bought, sold, or shipped shall be a separate offense.
3. A person convicted of taking a deer, antelope, moose, buffalo, or elk with a prohibited weapon as defined by rules of the department, is subject to a fine of one hundred dollars for each offense committed while taking the animal with the prohibited weapon.
[R60, §4381 – 4383; C73, §4048, 4053, 4063; C97, §2543, 2544, 2551, 2552, 2556, 2558, 2561; S13, §2547-e, 2551-b, 2561, 2563-a8, -i, -o, -s, -v; SS15, §2540-a, 2544, 2551, 2552, 2556; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1789; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.32]
88 Acts, ch 1216, §7, 8
C93, §481A.32
2002 Acts, ch 1147, §1; 2018 Acts, ch 1026, §150
Referred to in §481A.59
See also §481A.23 and 481A.38 and applicable scheduled fine under §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraphs f and g
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.33 - Violations relating to dams.

481A.33 Violations relating to dams.
1. A person who erects any dam or other obstruction prohibited by this chapter or at a place or in a manner prohibited shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
2. A person who injures or destroys any dam lawfully erected shall be guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor.
[C97, §2548, 2550; SS15, §2548; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1790; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.33]
C93, §481A.33
2021 Acts, ch 80, §312
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.34 - Violations by common carrier.

481A.34 Violations by common carrier.
A common carrier which violates any of the provisions of this chapter relating to receiving, having in possession, shipping, or delivering any fish, fowl, birds, birds’ nests, eggs, or plumage, fur, raw pelts, game, or animals, in violation of the provisions of the Code or contrary to the regulations and restrictions provided in this chapter, and any agent, employee, or servant of a common carrier violating such provisions, is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
[C73, §4049; C97, §2557; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1791; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.34]
88 Acts, ch 1216, §9
C93, §481A.34
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.35 - Attorney general and county attorneys.

481A.35 Attorney general and county attorneys.
It shall be the duty of the attorney general, when requested by the director, to give the attorney general’s opinion in writing upon any question of law arising under this chapter; and it shall be the duty of all county attorneys in this state when requested by the director or any officer appointed by the commission, to prosecute all criminal actions brought in their respective counties for violations of the provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting any person from instituting legal proceedings for the enforcement of any of the provisions thereof.
[R60, §4385; C73, §4051; C97, §2559; SS15, §2559; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1792; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.35]
C93, §481A.35
Referred to in §331.756(23)
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.36 - Information — venue.

481A.36 Information — venue.
1. In all prosecutions under this chapter, any number of violations may be charged in one information, but each charge shall be set out in a separate count if more than one charge is included in one information.
2. Prosecutions for violations may be brought in the county in which any fish, fowl, bird, bird’s nest, eggs, or plumage, or animals protected by this chapter were unlawfully caught, taken, killed, trapped, ensnared, bought, sold, or shipped unlawfully, or in any county into or through which they were received, transported, or found in the possession of any person.
[R60, §4385; C73, §4051; C97, §2559; SS15, §2559; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1793; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.36]
C93, §481A.36
2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127; 2019 Acts, ch 24, §71
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.37 - Presumptive evidence.

481A.37 Presumptive evidence.
It shall be presumptive evidence of a violation of the provisions of this chapter for any person to:
1. Have in possession any fish, game, furs, birds, birds’ nests, eggs or plumage, or animals, which have been unlawfully caught, taken, or killed.
2. Be in possession of such fish, game, furs, birds, or animals at a time when or place where it shall be unlawful to take, catch, or kill the same, except game, birds or animals, during the first ten days of the closed season.
3. Have in possession any implements, devices, equipment, or means whatever of taking fish, birds, or animals protected by the Code at any place where the possession or use thereof is prohibited.
[C97, §2554; S13, §2563-a10; SS15, §2554, 2555; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §1794; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.37]
88 Acts, ch 1216, §10, 11
C93, §481A.37
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.39 - Biological balance maintained.

481A.39 Biological balance maintained.
The commission is designated the sole agency to determine the facts as to whether biological balance does or does not exist. The commission shall, by administrative rule, extend, shorten, open, or close seasons and set, increase, or reduce catch limits, bag limits, size limits, possession limits, or territorial limitations or further regulate taking conditions in accordance with sound fish and wildlife management principles.
[C39, §1794.002; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.39]
88 Acts, ch 1216, §13
C93, §481A.39
Referred to in §481A.5, 481A.6, 481A.9, 481A.38, 481A.48, 481A.67, 483A.6A, 483A.28
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.40 - Use of drugs on wildlife — penalty.

481A.40 Use of drugs on wildlife — penalty.
1. For the purposes of this section, “drug” means any chemical substance, other than food, that affects the structure or biological function of any wildlife under the jurisdiction of the department of natural resources.
2. Except with written authorization from the director or the director’s designee or as otherwise provided by law, a person shall not administer any drug to any wildlife under the jurisdiction of the department of natural resources, including but not limited to drugs used for fertility control, disease prevention or treatment, immobilization, or growth stimulation.
3. This section does not prohibit the treatment of sick or injured wildlife by a licensed veterinarian or holder of a wildlife rehabilitation permit.
4. This section shall not be construed to limit employees of agencies of the state, the United States, or local animal control officers, licensed animal shelters, or licensed pounds in the performance of their official duties related to public health, wildlife management, or wildlife removal. However, a drug shall not be administered by any person for fertility control or growth stimulation except as provided in subsection 2.
5. An officer of the department may take possession of or dispose of any wildlife under the jurisdiction of the department of natural resources that the officer reasonably believes has been administered drugs in violation of this section.
6. A person who violates this section is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.
2007 Acts, ch 56, §1
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.42 - Nongame protected — exclusion.

481A.42 Nongame protected — exclusion.
Protected nongame species include wild fish, wild birds, wild bats, wild reptiles, and wild amphibians, an egg, a nest, a dead body or part of a dead body, and a product made from part of a body of a wild fish, wild bird, wild bat, wild reptile, or wild amphibian. However, nongame does not include game, fish that may be taken pursuant to regulations established under the Code or departmental rule, fur-bearing animals, turtles, or frogs, as defined in this chapter. The commission shall designate by rule those species of nongame which by their abundance or habits are declared a nuisance, and these species shall not be protected. Rules adopted shall include but are not limited to a provision that states that any bat, except for the Indiana bat, which is found within a building that is occupied by human beings is not a protected nongame species.
[S13, §2563-q; C24, 27, 31, §1776; C39, §1794.005; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.42]
83 Acts, ch 168, §6; 92 Acts, ch 1107, §1
C93, §481A.42
93 Acts, ch 20, §1
Referred to in §717B.1
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.47 - Importing fish and game — permits.

481A.47 Importing fish and game — permits.
1. Unless application is first made in writing to the commission for a permit and a permit is granted, a person, firm, or corporation shall not, except as otherwise provided, bring into the state of Iowa for the purpose of propagating or introducing, or place or introduce into any of the inland or boundary waters of the state, any fish or spawn thereof that are not native to such waters, or introduce or stock any bird or animal.
2. A permit shall be granted only after the commission has made such investigation or inspection of the fish, birds, or animals as the commission may deem necessary to determine whether or not such fish, birds, or animals are free from disease and whether or not such introduction will be beneficial or detrimental to the native wildlife and the people of the state, and may or may not approve such planting, releasing, or introduction according to its findings.
3. Nothing in this section shall prohibit licensed game breeders from securing native or exotic birds or animals from outside the state and bringing them into the state and a game breeder shall not be required to have a permit as provided in this section when such birds or animals are not released to the wild but are held on the game breeder’s premises as breeding stock.
[C39, §1794.010; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.47]
C93, §481A.47
2018 Acts, ch 1026, §151
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(d)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph d
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.50 - Selling birds.

481A.50 Selling birds.
No part of the plumage, skin, or body of any bird protected by this chapter shall be sold or had in possession for sale, irrespective of whether said bird was captured or killed within or without the state, except as otherwise provided.
[C39, §1794.013; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.50]
C93, §481A.50
Referred to in §481A.55, 805.8B(3)(c)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph c
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.51 - Hunting license not trapping license.

481A.51 Hunting license not trapping license.
A hunting license shall not permit the holder to trap any fur-bearing animal as defined in this chapter.
[SS15, §2563-a1; C24, 27, §1718; C31, §1718-c1; C39, §1794.014; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.51]
C93, §481A.51
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.52 - Exhibiting catch to officer.

481A.52 Exhibiting catch to officer.
A person who has in possession any game bird, game animal, fish, or fur or part thereof shall upon request of the director or any officer appointed by the department exhibit the game bird, game animal, fish, or fur or part thereof to the director or officer. A person who refuses to comply with a request made under this section commits a scheduled violation under section 805.8B.
[C31, §1768-c1; C39, §1794.015; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.52]
88 Acts, ch 1216, §14
C93, §481A.52
2022 Acts, ch 1021, §137
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(d)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph d
Section amended
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.53 - Chasing from dens.

481A.53 Chasing from dens.
It is unlawful to have in possession while hunting or to use while hunting any ferret or any device or any substance to be used for chasing animals from their dens.
[C31, §1767-c1; C39, §1794.016; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.53]
88 Acts, ch 1216, §15
C93, §481A.53
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(d)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph d
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.54 - Shooting rifle, shotgun, pistol, or revolver over water, highway, or railroad right-of-way.

481A.54 Shooting rifle, shotgun, pistol, or revolver over water, highway, or railroad right-of-way.
1. A person shall not shoot any rifle on or over any of the public waters or public highways of the state or any railroad right-of-way.
2. A person shall not shoot a shotgun with a slug load, pistol, or revolver on or over a public roadway as defined in section 321.1, subsection 65.
3. This section does not apply to any peace officers or military personnel in the performance of their official duties.
[C31, §1772-c2; C39, §1794.017; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.54]
91 Acts, ch 234, §1
C93, §481A.54
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(b)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph b
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.55 - Selling game.

481A.55 Selling game.
1. Except as otherwise provided, a person shall not buy or sell, dead or alive, a bird or animal or any part of one which is protected by this chapter, but this section does not apply to fur-bearing animals, bones of wild turkeys that were legally taken, and the skins, plumage, and antlers of legally taken game. This section does not prohibit the purchase of jackrabbits from sources outside this state. A person shall not purchase, sell, barter, or offer to purchase, sell, or barter for millinery or ornamental use the feathers of migratory game birds; and a person shall not purchase, sell, barter, or offer to purchase, sell, or barter mounted specimens of migratory game birds.
2. Section 481A.50 and this section do not apply to a game species, fur-bearing animal species, or variety of fish protected under this chapter which is sold by a nonprofit corporation as a part of a meal. The number of game of a game species or fur-bearing animal species, or a variety of fish protected by this chapter which are donated by a person to a nonprofit corporation plus any additional game of the same species or same variety of fish in the person’s possession must not exceed the person’s legal possession limit.
[C97, §2554; SS15, §2554; C24, 27, 31, §1769; C39, §1794.018; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.55]
87 Acts, ch 176, §1; 88 Acts, ch 1216, §16
C93, §481A.55
2007 Acts, ch 28, §13
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(d)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph d
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.56 - Training dogs.

481A.56 Training dogs.
1. a. A person having a valid hunting license may train a bird dog on any game birds and a person having a valid fur harvester license may train a coonhound, foxhound, or trailing dog on any fur-bearing animals at any time of the year including during the closed season on such birds or animals. However, the animals when pursued to a tree or den shall not be further chased or removed in any manner from the tree or den. A person having a hunting license may train a dog on coyote or groundhog.
b. Only a pistol, revolver, or other gun shooting blank cartridges shall be used while training dogs during closed season except as provided in subsection 2 of this section.
2. Any pen-raised game bird may be used and may be shot in the training of bird dogs. Before any bird is released or used in the training of dogs, the bird shall have attached a band procured from the commission. The commission may charge a fee for such bands but the fee shall not exceed ten cents for each band.
3. A call back pen or live trap may be used for the purpose of retrieving banded birds when released in the wild for training purposes. Any bird not so banded when taken in a call back pen or trap shall be immediately returned unbanded to the wild. All call back pens or live traps when in use shall have attached a metal tag plainly labeled with the owner’s name and address. Conservation officers shall have authority to confiscate such traps when found in use and not properly labeled.
4. The commission shall have the power to adopt rules prohibiting the training of any hunting dog on any game bird, game animal, or fur-bearing animal in the wild at any time when it has been determined that such training might have an adverse effect on the populations of these species.
[C39, §1794.019; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.56]
85 Acts, ch 10, §1; 86 Acts, ch 1245, §1854; 88 Acts, ch 1216, §17
C93, §481A.56
2011 Acts, ch 25, §143
Referred to in §481A.6A, 484B.10, 805.8B(3)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph c
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.56A - Retrieval of wounded deer by leashed dogs.

481A.56A Retrieval of wounded deer by leashed dogs.
A person having a valid hunting license and a valid deer hunting license who has wounded a deer while hunting may use a dog to track and retrieve the wounded deer. An unarmed dog handler assisting in the recovery of a wounded deer is exempt from the licensing requirements as long as the handler is associated with the licensed hunter who wounded the deer. Any person using a dog for tracking wounded deer must maintain physical control of the dog at all times during the search by means of a maximum fifty-foot lead attached to the dog’s collar or harness. The licensed hunter who wounded the deer may dispatch the deer using a legal method of take authorized by the person’s deer hunting license consistent with all rules and regulations for that season. A person shall not chase, hunt, wound, or kill any animal other than the deer that the hunter is tracking, except in self-defense. Using a dog to track a wounded deer on private property is permissible with consent of the property owner. A person using a dog to track a wounded deer outside of legal deer hunting hours shall not be in possession of a firearm or archery device. The commission may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement this section.
2020 Acts, ch 1096, §1; 2021 Acts, ch 43, §1
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(r)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph r
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.57 - Possession and storage.

481A.57 Possession and storage.
A person having lawful possession of game or fur-bearing animals or their pelts lawfully taken by that person with a valid hunting or trapping license, may hold, possess, or store the game or fur-bearing animals or their pelts in an amount that does not exceed the possession limit for the game or fur-bearing animal, from the date of taking until the day before the first day of the next open season for that game or fur-bearing animal. Any person may possess up to twenty-five pounds of deer venison if the deer was obtained from a lawful source.
[C39, §1794.020; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.57]
88 Acts, ch 1216, §18
C93, §481A.57
2002 Acts, ch 1147, §2; 2016 Acts, ch 1021, §1
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(e)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph e
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.58 - Trapping birds or poisoning animals.

481A.58 Trapping birds or poisoning animals.
No person except those acting under the authority of the director shall capture or take, or attempt to capture or take, any game bird with any trap, snare, or net, nor shall any person use any poison, any medicated or poisoned food, or any other substance for the killing, capturing, or taking of any game bird or animal.
[R60, §4381; C73, §4048; C97, §2551; SS15, §2539, 2551; C24, 27, 31, §1773; C39, §1794.021; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.58]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §1855
C93, §481A.58
2022 Acts, ch 1032, §82
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(d)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph d
Section amended
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.59 - Pigeons — interference prohibited.

481A.59 Pigeons — interference prohibited.
1. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, except the owner or the owner’s representatives, to shoot, kill, maim, injure, steal, capture, detain, or to interfere with any homing pigeon, commonly called “carrier pigeon”, which shall at the time, have the name, initials, or other identification of its owner, stamped, marked, or attached thereon; or to remove any mark, band, or other means of identification from such pigeon which has the name, initials, or emblem of the owner stamped or marked upon it.
2. A person who violates the provisions of this section shall be punished as is provided in section 481A.32.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.59]
C93, §481A.59
2018 Acts, ch 1026, §152
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.60 - Raising game — rulemaking authority.

481A.60 Raising game — rulemaking authority.
A person shall not raise or sell game or fur-bearing animals of the kinds protected by this chapter, except rock doves and pigeons, without first procuring a game breeder’s license as provided by law. The commission may adopt rules which ensure that all game birds, game animals, and fur-bearing animals handled and confined by licensed game breeders are provided with humane care and treatment. A violation of a rule adopted by the commission is a cause for license revocation. This section does not apply to governmental zoos and exhibits.
[C39, §1794.022; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.60]
88 Acts, ch 1216, §19; 91 Acts, ch 237, §1
C93, §481A.60
Referred to in §481A.6A, 805.8B(3)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph c
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.61 - Licensed game breeders — marketing game — penalty.

481A.61 Licensed game breeders — marketing game — penalty.
1. Except as otherwise provided by law, a licensed game breeder whose original stock is obtained from a lawful source may possess any game bird, game animal, or fur-bearing animal, or any of their parts. Possession and use of the game birds, game animals, or fur-bearing animals obtained from a licensed game breeder are lawful.
2. Fur-bearing animals shall not be acquired for breeding or propagating purposes from any source unless they have been pen-raised for at least two successive generations.
3. A game breeder’s license is not a license to possess, breed, propagate, sell, or dispose of any species which is defined as endangered or threatened under state law unless the species is listed on the license. Its possession, breeding, propagation, sale, and disposal are subject to all applicable state and federal statutes.
4. A licensed game breeder shall not acquire protected live game animals, game birds, their eggs, or fur-bearing animals taken from the wild within this state.
5. Game birds or game animals may be sold for food only under the following conditions:
a. The licensed game breeder shall file with the commission a facsimile of a stamp of similar type to that used by the United States department of agriculture in grading meat.
b. Licensed game breeders may sell dressed game birds or game animals to markets for resale providing each game bird or game animal has affixed upon it in a conspicuous and legible manner the imprint of the game breeder’s stamp.
c. The stamp shall bear the name and number of the game breeder in letters of at least twelve point type size.
6. Markets selling stamped game shall:
a. Maintain the stamp on each game bird or game animal until the bird or animal is disposed of or sold.
b. Keep a record showing the total number of game birds or game animals sold together with the name and address of the game breeder from whom purchased and the number of game birds and animals in each purchase.
7. Markets selling stamped game, together with their records, are subject to inspection by an authorized representative of the commission at any reasonable time.
8. Violation of a provision of this section may be cause for license revocation.
[C39, §1794.023; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.61]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §1854; 88 Acts, ch 1216, §20
C93, §481A.61
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph c
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.65 - Licenses.

481A.65 Licenses.
The director, after investigation, may issue to any person a scientific collector’s license, a wildlife salvage permit, educational project permit, or a wildlife rehabilitation permit. A scientific collector’s license will authorize the licensee to collect for scientific purposes only, any birds, nests, eggs, or wildlife. A wildlife salvage permit will authorize the permittee to salvage for educational purposes, any birds, nests, eggs, or animals according to the rules of the department. An educational project permit authorizes the permittee to collect, keep, or possess for educational purposes birds, fish, or wildlife which are not endangered, threatened, or otherwise specially managed according to the rules of the department. A wildlife rehabilitation permit will authorize the permittee to possess for rehabilitation purposes only, any orphaned or injured wildlife according to the rules of the department. A person to whom a license or permit is issued shall not dispose of any birds, nests, eggs, or wildlife or their parts except upon written permission of the director. The application for such licenses and permits shall be made upon blanks furnished by the department. The commission shall establish, by rule, the tenure and applicable fee for each permit authorized in this section. Each holder of a license or permit shall, by January 31 of each year, file with the department a report showing all specimens collected or possessed under authority of the license or permit. Upon a showing of cause the department may enter and inspect the premises and collections authorized by this section. A license or permit may be revoked by the director, after due notice, at any time for cause.
[S13, §2563-o, -p; C24, 27, 31, §1779; C39, §1794.027; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.65]
88 Acts, ch 1216, §23
C93, §481A.65
95 Acts, ch 46, §1
Referred to in §717F.7
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.66 - Banding or marking.

481A.66 Banding or marking.
It shall be unlawful for any person to capture birds or animals for banding purposes except that the commission may, after investigation, issue a permit to any person permitting the person to capture birds or animals for the purpose of banding or marking same for scientific study, but no such birds or animals may be killed or injured or retained in possession, but must be liberated safely and promptly. Such permit may be revoked at any time for cause. Each holder of such permit shall report to the commission once each month the number, kind of birds or animals banded, and the band numbers.
[C39, §1794.028; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.66]
C93, §481A.66
2023 Iowa Code › Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 481A - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION › Section 481A.67 - Seasons and limits — turtle harvesting restrictions.

481A.67 Seasons and limits — turtle harvesting restrictions.
1. It is unlawful for a person, except as otherwise expressly provided, to take, capture, or kill fish, frogs, or turtles except during the open season established by the commission. It is unlawful during open season to take in any one day an amount in excess of the daily catch limit designated for each variety or each locality, or have in possession any variety of fish, frog, or turtle in excess of the possession limit, or have in possession any frog, fish, or turtle at any time under the minimum length or weight. The open season, possession limit, daily catch limit, and the minimum length or weight for each variety of fish, frog, or turtle shall be established by rule of the department or commission under the authority of sections 456A.24, 481A.38, 481A.39, and 482.1.
2. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the natural resource commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A establishing seasons and daily catch limits for the noncommercial harvest of turtles in any waters of the state pursuant to section 483A.28. Seasons established pursuant to this subsection shall not apply to the noncommercial harvest of snapping turtles.
3. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the natural resource commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A establishing seasons and daily catch limits for the commercial harvest of turtles in any waters of the state.
[C97, §2540; SS15, §2540; C24, 27, 31, §1731, 1732, 1733; C39, §1794.029; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §109.67]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §1854; 88 Acts, ch 1216, §24
C93, §481A.67
2016 Acts, ch 1024, §1, 2
Referred to in §805.8B(3)(i)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph i