Iowa DNR Approves Duck Seasons, Offers Suggestions on How NOT to deal with Problem Pests, and Offers Workshop on Improving Turkey and Quail Numbers

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Duck Seasons, Zones Approved by Natural Resource Commission

The Natural Resource Commission of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources approved the migratory game bird hunting seasons, zones and regulations during its Aug. 9 meeting. 

Changes of note include adding a third waterfowl hunting zone along the Missouri River, reducing the size of Canada goose closed hunting zones in certain counties, and increasing the daily bag limit for scaup.

Changes

·         A third waterfowl hunting zone was established in Iowa this year. This new Missouri River Zone includes the lands and waters in Iowa that are west of I-29 and north of Hwy. 175. Excluding this change, the North and South Waterfowl Hunting Zones remain the same as they have been in recent years. The duck and goose hunting season dates in the Missouri River Zone are different from the North and South Zones.

·         Canada Goose Closed Hunting Zones in Worth and Winnebago counties, Monona and Woodbury counties, Van Buren County, Bremer County, and Butler County have been reduced in size. New closed hunting zone maps can be found at: www.iowadnr.gov/huntingregs

·         The scaup limit was raised from 2 to 4 per day.

Seasons

North Zone

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots: Sept. 22-26 and Oct. 13-Dec. 6

Youth Waterfowl: Oct. 6-7

Canada Geese, Brant: Sept. 29-Jan. 4

South Zone

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots: Sept. 22-26 and Oct. 20-Dec. 13

Youth Waterfowl: Oct. 13-14

Canada Geese, Brant: Oct. 6-Jan. 11

New: Missouri River Zone

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots: Sept. 22-26 and Oct. 27-Dec. 20

Youth Waterfowl: Oct. 20-21

Canada Geese, Brant: Oct. 13-Jan.18

Statewide

Doves: Sept. 1-Nov. 9

 

For a complete list of all the migratory game bird hunting seasons, bag limits, hunting zones, maps and regulations, go to www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/MigratoryGameBirds.aspx

Poison Not the Answer for Problem Raccoons

Like most other wildlife species, Iowa’s raccoon population is up following last year’s mild winter, but, unfortunately, that translates into more complaints about raccoons getting into everything.

The frustration of homeowners – urban or rural – doing battle with such a clever opponent can give way to declaring all out war by using a poison mixture to attract and kill the mischievous raccoon. 

The problem with poison is it doesn’t know who or what to target. It kills everything that ingests it.

“Poison is an indiscriminate killer,” said Vince Evelsizer, furbearer biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “It can kill pets and other wildlife. And the speed at which the animal dies depends upon the amount of poison ingested so it could be a long, painful, slow death or a relatively quick death.”

Evelsizer said there are a number of alternatives an individual can try to eliminate the problem raccoon.

First is to get rid of the attraction, which is likely food.  If it’s the bird feeder, then move the bird feeder or take it down during the summer.  If they’re into Fido’s food, lock up the pet food or move it inside. Also keep garbage contained in a bin or container.

“There are other options such as live traps or electric fencing that can be put up temporarily, like around a sweet corn patch,” Evelsizer said. A live (cage) trap can be purchased at most hardware stores.

If help is needed though, he said there are other options. 

For nuisance wildlife in town, Evelsizer recommends calling a business that specializes in nuisance wildlife control. Look for them online or in the phone book under ‘Pest Control’ or ‘Nuisance Wildlife Control.’

The Iowa DNR has depredation biologists around the state who can offer technical assistance to take care of the problem animal.

“It can be frustrating dealing with problem animals but using poison to solve the problem is not only a bad idea, it’s against the law,” he said.

There are numerous website available that offer more information on prevention and control of wildlife damage. One Evelsizer recommends is http://icwdm.org/handbook/carnivor/Raccoons.asp

Workshop Showcases Efforts to Improve Quail, Turkey Numbers

Lineville, Iowa - A southern Iowa restoration success is an example of once neglected land that has been restored to native ecosystems to the benefit of Bobwhite quail and wild turkeys.

The property and efforts to restore it will be the focus of a landowner workshop and field tour on Aug. 24. The workshop begins at 9 a.m. in the Lineville Community Center, in Lineville, and includes a free lunch.  At 1 p.m., the field tour of management practices will take place on the John and Sharon Orvis property.

The property, 4 miles west of Lineville, will be a showcase for the use of prescribed fire, woodland thinning, chemical treatment, mechanical removal and other treatments to eliminate native and non-native invasive plants and replace them with the vegetative communities found in southern Iowa and northern Missouri.

Pre-registration is required by contacting Dave Whittlesey, National Wild Turkey Federation, at 641-342-2500 or 641-414-2165 or by email at dwhittlesey@nwtf.net.

The event is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Missouri Department of Conservation, Southern Iowa Oak Savanna Alliance, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

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