DNR TO HOST PUBLIC MEETING APRIL 27 ON PROPOSED WILDLIFE RULES The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a public meeting to discuss a number of new proposed regulations including changes to waterfowl seasons, and the antlerless deer season quotas [and expansion of the bobcat zone]. The meeting will be conducted over the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) on April 27, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The proposed changes include reducing the antlerless deer license quota in 27 counties, increasing the antler deer license quota in three counties, expanding the bobcat season zone in western Iowa and increasing the harvest quota. Other topics include proposed waterfowl season and the proposed deer hunting seasons. Any interested person may make written suggestions or comments on the proposed amendment on or before April 27, 2010. Written comments may be directed to the Wildlife Bureau's website at www.iowadnr.com or may be sent to the Wildlife Bureau Chief, Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034; fax (515)281-6794. Persons who wish to convey their views orally should contact the Wildlife Bureau at (515)281-5034 or at the Wildlife Bureau offices on the fourth floor of the Wallace State Office Building. There will be public hearings held via the Iowa Communications Network on April 27, 2010 [see list below]. At the public hearing, persons may present their views either orally or in writing. Participants will be asked to give their names and addresses for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of the amendments. Any persons who intend to attend the public hearing and have special requirements such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments should contact the Department of Natural Resources and advise of specific needs. Chapter 108, Mink, Muskrat, Raccoon, Badger, Opossum, Weasel, Striped Skunk, Fox (Red and Gray), Beaver, Coyote, River Otter, Bobcat, Gray (Timber) Wolf and Spotted Skunk Seasons - NOIA The Commission is requested to approve this Notice to amend Chapter 108, "Mink, Muskrat, Raccoon, Badger, Opossum, Weasel, Striped Skunk, Fox (Red and Gray), Beaver, Coyote, River Otter, Bobcat, Gray (Timber) Wolf and Spotted Skunk Seasons. The amendments add Adair, Cass, Guthrie, Keokuk, Louisa, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Warren and Washington counties to the open area for taking bobcats and increase the quota from 200 to 250. NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION [571] Notice of Intended Action Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code subsection 455A.5(6), the Natural Resource Commission hereby gives Notice of Intended Action to amend Chapter 108, "Mink, Muskrat, Raccoon, Badger, Opossum, Weasel, Striped Skunk, Fox (Red and Gray), Beaver, Coyote, River Otter, Bobcat, Gray (Timber) Wolf and Spotted Skunk Seasons," Iowa Administrative Code. Chapter 108 sets the season dates, bag limits, possession limits and areas open to hunting or trapping furbearers. The amendments add Adair, Cass, Guthrie, Keokuk, Louisa, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Warren and Washington counties to the open area for taking bobcats and increase the quota from 200 to 250. This amendment is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 481A.6, 481A.38, 481A.39, 481A.87, and 481A.90. The following amendments are proposed. ITEM 1. Amend subrule 108.7(2) as follows: 108.7(2) Open area. River otters may be taken statewide. Bobcats may be taken in the following counties: Adair, Adams, Appanoose, Cass, Clarke, Davis, Decatur, Des Moines, Fremont, Guthrie, Harrison, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Lucas, Louisa, Mills, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, Wayne, and Woodbury. ITEM 2. Amend 108.7(3)"b" as follows: b. Quotas. The quota for the number of river otters that may be taken is 500 statewide. The quota for the number of bobcats that may be taken is 250 in the open area. The season shall end for river otters when the number of river otters trapped, as determined by the harvest reporting system, reaches 500. The season shall end for bobcats when the number of bobcats taken, as determined by the harvest reporting system, reaches 250. Trappers shall be allowed a 48-hour grace period after the quota is reached to clear their traps of river otters or bobcats. River otters or bobcats found in traps during the grace period may be kept even though the quota is exceeded provided that the trapper has not reached the trapper's personal bag limit. River otters or bobcats trapped after the grace period or in excess of the seasonal bag limit must be turned over to the department; the trapper shall not be penalized. The DNR will have staff members from the wildlife bureau at each site to answer questions, and to take any written comments. ICN Locations: Ames, Ames High School, 20th and Ridgewood Calmar, South Winneshiek High School, 203 W South Street Cedar Rapids, National Guard Armory, 10400 18th Street SW Centerville, National Guard Armory, R.R. 1 Dewey Road Clinton, Clinton Community College, 1000 Lincoln Boulevard Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Road Creston, Southwestern Community College, 1501 West Townline Road Dubuque, Keystone Area Education Agency, 2310 Chaney Road Fort Dodge, St. Edmond High School, 501 N 22nd Street Iowa City, Public Library, 123 South Linn Street Johnston, Heartland Area Education Agency, 6500 Corporate Drive Marshalltown, Iowa Valley Community College, 3702 South Center Street Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College, 500 College Drive Ottumwa, National Guard Armory, 2858 N Court Road Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Sergeant Bluff-Luton Senior High School, Port Neal Road Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College, 603 W Park Street Spencer, Public Library, 21 East Third Street Waterloo, National Guard Armory, 3306 Airport Boulevard West Burlington, Southeastern Community College, 1500 West Agency Media Contact: Willie Suchy, Supervisor, Wildlife Research Section, Iowa DNR, 515-281-8660. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. 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