Iowa currently allows an unlimited year-round commercial and
sporting harvest of common snapping turtle, spiny softshell turtle, smooth
softshell turtle, and painted turtle. Turtle populations are declining
due to over-harvest and harvesting during the breeding and egg-laying months.
The turtle populations can increase their populations or
sustain their populations with a closed season from January 1 through July 15
that 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 asked
Governor Branstad for permission to close the commercial and sporting harvest
of turtles from January 1 through July 15.
Your can help by asking the Governor to support closing the
commercial and sporting harvest of turtles from January 1 through July 15.
Let’s ensure that turtles
are able to live sustainably in Iowa’s rivers and lakes!
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