New Residency Requirements

[blake]

NEWS!

From the Iowa DNR:

Iowa Increases Requirements to Claim Residency to Hunt, Fish

Posted: June 11, 2009

DES MOINES - Beginning July 1, the minimum requirement to claim Iowa as a state of residence will increase from 30 consecutive days where Iowa is the principle and primary residence, to 90 consecutive days, before someone may purchase a resident hunting, fishing or trapping privilege.

The new residency requirements were approved during the 2009 legislative session and signed by Iowa Governor Chet Culver. It becomes effective July 1.

The new residency rule also specifically excludes people from claiming residency for a special or temporary purpose which includes engaging in hunting, fishing or trapping.
Owning land in Iowa, having an Iowa driver's license or registering a vehicle or to vote does not mean a person is an Iowa resident.

The new residency requirements can be found in the 2009-10 Iowa Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet available in early August at locations where hunting and fishing licenses are sold, DNR offices statewide, and on the Web at www.iowadnr.gov.

 

[letemgrow]

They needed to do something like that!!!

 

[ISHEDHUNT]

It's about time!

 

[SaskGuy]

I believe we're a full year.

 

[JakeWym]

 

[PYBucks]

I understand what they're trying to do but this really doesn't change anything. The guys I know are claiming residency for the full year.

Does the state of Iowa really think these guys are living in IA 30 consecutive days then buying a tag?

 

[JNRBRONC]

I understand what they're trying to do but this really doesn't change anything. The guys I know are claiming residency for the full year.

Does the state of Iowa really think these guys are living in IA 30 consecutive days then buying a tag?

There are always going to be those who try to beat the system. My feelings is this new regulation will make it a little easier for law enforcement officials.

 

[letemgrow]

I understand what they're trying to do but this really doesn't change anything. The guys I know are claiming residency for the full year.

Does the state of Iowa really think these guys are living in IA 30 consecutive days then buying a tag?

I have seen the same thing, get new plates, license and put a utility in your name and you are golden. These guys were doing it for the entire year once they established the above items so there would be no way really to catch them in the process.

I have to admit I almost went through with it to be able to hunt the great state of IA.

 

[JNRBRONC]

Technology and cooperation between governmental agencies is going to make it harder to claim residency in multiple states (sharing of income tax filings as an example). The DNR's of a few states are already comparing lists of who bought resident licenses in their respective states (and resident lifetime licenses: Iowa regulations state that you must give up another state's lifetime license if you move to Iowa). As more DNRs come on board, it will make it harder to exploit the legal loopholes, IMO. At times I worry about all that information out there, but other times it can be used for good.

 

[bowmaker]

I understand claiming multiple state residency and how the States police that. I don't understand how they can enforce this new 90 day rule though. A person could easily use some of the mentioned things to establish the 90 days and only be in Iowa 2 of those days. The day that they set up everything and the day they purchase their tags. I agree with the idea behind it, but I just don't know how they will enforce it especially for folks like Mickey and FOI members who already own land here!!!

 

[sureshot]

I just don't know how they will enforce it especially for folks like Mickey and FOI members who already own land here!!!

Come on now! Do you really think that they would try to get around the residency requirements!?!?

 

[dbltree]

A couple things they are going to be looking at are:

1) Do you have a wife that lives in another state?

2) Do you have children enrolled in another state's school system?

3) Do you have utility bills?

Those are just a couple things that will raise a "warning flag" that will lead to further investigation.

The 90 day period will not affect those who have been claiming residency while living in another state but "fine print" added to give the residency law some teeth will......