Bow only zone question

[biggest buck]

I recently began hunting an area that is public hunting for bows only. My question is this? Why cant a person hunt this area during the Iowa shotgun seasons with bow? I cannot find anything regarding this on the DNR site or in the regs anywhere.

 

[bowmaker]

Without trying to sound like a jerk, the biggest reason is that the bow season is closed during the shotgun seasons. Whether we agree or not Iowa closes the bow season the day before the 1st shotgun season and doesn't reopen it until the day after the second gun season ends. I personally think that this is a good thing.

 

[turtlshell]

The bow season doesn't close the day before shotgun season opens. Shotgun season always starts the first Saturday in December, you can bow hunt friday night and shotgun hunt saturday morning (if you have the proper tags)...bow season is closed all three weeks of shotgun season though.

Oct 1st - Nov 30th for Bow
Dec 1st - Dec 5th 1st shotgun
Dec 8th - Dec 16th 2nd shotgun

No deer hunting at all between the two shotgun seasons.

 

[gundog870]

I can deer hunt my city zones during shotgun

 

[SCOFFIN]

I called the DNR on this exact same topic last year. They told me that even if an area is Bow only, you still are not to hunt with a bow during the Shotgun seasons. City area or not. I specifically asked that as I hunt one of these area's. Bow season is closed during that time no matter where you are hunting.

 

[ISHEDHUNT]

Well if that is true than at least 100 guys break the law in Metro Des Moines every year!

Chris

 

[Liv4Rut]

I think they are not talkin about city hunts. There is quite a few public areas around that are bow only that are not within city limits but way out in the boonies

 

[gundog870]

Trust me. we can hunt during shotgun in my city zone. Its Season "3"and "4" of our hunt.

 

[biggest buck]

Thanks for the replies guys. I understand the seasons are closed as it says on the tags. But this particular area is in the city limits of Council Bluffs. But, the city does NOT have a city hunt as of yet. This is the only area in the city you are allowed to hunt, so far. It is in the works however. I would even use my shotgun tag during this time if the state would allow it. I was just wondering why the bow only zone is closed during this time and I have yet to see a valid reason.. Or, maybe this hasn't been addressed to the proper people?