Iowa currently allows an unlimited year-round commercial andsporting harvest of common snapping turtle, spiny softshell turtle, smoothsoftshell turtle, and painted turtle.  Turtle populations are decliningdue to over-harvest and harvesting during the breeding and egg-laying months.


The turtle populations can increase their populations orsustain their populations with a closed season from January 1 through July 15that closely corresponds with the breeding and nesting season.


Once the turtles have been removed from a water body,turtles have great difficulty re-establishing their populations. 


The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has askedGovernor Branstad for permission to close the commercial and sporting harvestof turtles from January 1 through July 15. 


Your can help by asking the Governor to support closing thecommercial and sporting harvest of turtles from January 1 through July 15.
Gov. Terry Branstad
State Capitol
1015 E. Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50319
Telephone: 515-281-5211
You can also enter your request on the governor’s website:  https://governor.iowa.gov/constituent-services/register-opinion/


Let’s ensure that turtlesare able to live sustainably in Iowa’s rivers and lakes!
 


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