Question- which season could these be used in when it passes?
Copy and paste of the Administrative Code this bill is trying to rescind (106.7(3)):
106.7(2) Regular gun seasons. Only 10-, 12-, 16- and 20-gauge shotguns shooting single slugs, and straight wall cartridge rifles, muzzleloaders, and handguns as described more fully in
106.7(3), will be permitted for taking deer during the regular gun seasons.
106.7(3) Muzzleloader seasons. Only muzzleloading rifles and muzzleloading pistols will be permitted for taking deer during the early muzzleloader season. During the late muzzleloader season, deer may be taken with a muzzleloading rifle, muzzleloading pistol, centerfire handgun, crossbow or bow as described in
106.7(1).
a. Muzzleloading rifles are defined as flintlock or percussion cap lock muzzleloaded rifles and muskets of not less than .44 and not larger than .775 caliber, shooting single projectiles only.
b. Centerfire handguns must be .357 caliber or larger shooting straight wall cartridges propelling an expanding-type bullet (no full-metal jacket) and complying with all other requirements provided in Iowa Code section
481A.48. In addition, centerfire handguns must be designed to be shot with one hand using a pistol grip and have either:
(1) A cylinder of several chambers brought successively into line with the barrel and discharged with the same hammer; or
(2) A magazine feeding a single chamber integral with the barrel and using either the action of a slide or a bolt action to eject the casing, or having a break action capable of only holding one round.
c. Muzzleloading pistols must be .44 caliber or larger, shooting single projectiles only.
d. Crossbow means a weapon consisting of a bow mounted transversely on a stock or frame and designed to fire a bolt, arrow, or quarrel by the release of the bow string, which is controlled by a mechanical trigger and a working safety. Crossbows equipped with pistol grips and designed to be fired with one hand are illegal for taking or attempting to take deer. All projectiles used in conjunction with a crossbow for deer hunting must be equipped with a broadhead.
e. Legal handgun calibers for hunting deer in Iowa are listed in the department of natural resources’ hunting and trapping regulations booklet published each summer and adopted by reference herein. Centerfire handguns and black powder handguns must have a 4-inch minimum barrel length, and centerfire handguns shall not have any parts that extend beyond the back of the pistol grip. There can be no shoulder stock or long-barrel modifications to any handgun.
In my interpretation, 106.7(2) Regular gun season refers to 106.7(3) when defining a hand gun and 106.7(3b.2) would seem to indicate that the AR style pistol would be legal to use in gun seasons but 106.7(3e) would indicate they would be illegal to use in either season. So, if this bill passes handguns would be regulated by 106.7 (3b).
If anyone is still reading, Iowa Code 481A.48 (which is different than Administrative Code) is the law that directs the Natural Resources Commission to make the Administrative Rule 106.7. Here is the section of Iowa Code:
5. The commission shall establish one or more pistol or revolver seasons for hunting deer as separate firearm seasons or to coincide with one or more other firearm deer hunting seasons. Any pistol or revolver firing a magnum three hundred fifty-seven thousandths of one inch caliber or larger, centerfire, straight wall ammunition propelling an expanding-type bullet is legal for hunting deer during the pistol or revolver seasons. The commission shall adopt rules to allow black powder pistols or revolvers for hunting deer. The rules shall not allow pistols or revolvers with shoulder stock or long-barrel modifications. The barrel length of a pistol or revolver used for deer hunting shall be at least four inches. The rules may limit types of ammunition. A person who is sixteen years of age or less shall not hunt deer with a pistol or revolver. A person possessing a prohibited pistol or revolver while hunting deer commits a scheduled violation under section 805.8B, subsection 3, paragraph “h”, subparagraph (5). 6. The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A allowing the use of straight wall cartridge rifles to hunt deer as follows: a. A straight wall cartridge rifle may be used to hunt deer during youth and disabled deer hunting season and first and second shotgun deer hunting seasons by a person who has a valid deer hunting license and is otherwise qualified to hunt. b. A straight wall cartridge rifle that is allowed pursuant to this subsection shall be of the same caliber and use the same straight wall ammunition as is allowed for use in a pistol or revolver for hunting deer as provided in subsection 5. In addition, the commission shall provide, by rule, for the use of straight wall ammunition under this subsection that meets ballistics specifications similar to the requirements for straight wall ammunition allowed for use in a pistol or revolver for hunting deer as provided in subsection 5.
Sorry, PDFs don't copy and paste well.
Here is a link to the published rule change proposal that added 106.7(3e) published on 4/12/17. Comments were open until 5/2/17.
https://rules.iowa.gov/Notice/Details/3013C
I found all of this with some time on Google.
Trying to figure this all out makes me kinda
confusalated.
