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SF 423

A bill for an act relating to deer hunting, including deer depredation and the purchasing of a youth deer hunting license and tag.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Sets a $1,000 damage threshold for landowner depredation and deer-shooting permits, requiring the DNR to issue permits when wildlife damage reaches $1,000 or more.

Signed by Governor.
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Bill Summary · SF 423

Summary — SF 423 (Signed May 6, 2025)

Title: An act relating to deer hunting, including deer depredation and the purchasing of a youth deer hunting license and tag.

Purpose

SF 423 makes two targeted changes to Iowa law related to deer hunting:
- clarifies the issuance threshold for landowner depredation and deer-shooting permits; and
- changes when and how youth deer hunting licenses and tags may be purchased and used.

The bill was approved by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds on May 6, 2025.

Key provisions

  1. Depredation and deer-shooting permits (Iowa Code §481C.2(2), as amended)

    • The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must issue depredation permits and deer shooting permits to any landowner who incurs crop, horticultural product, tree, or nursery damage of $1,000 or more due to wild animals.
    • This provision sets/affirms a $1,000 damage threshold for issuance of those permits.

  2. Youth deer hunting licenses and tags (Iowa Code §483A.8(7), as amended)

    • The DNR must make youth deer hunting licenses available for purchase during the same time period that general deer hunting licenses are available, including through all established deer hunting seasons.
    • A youth issued such a license may use the license and tag in the season for which it was issued or in any subsequent established deer hunting season, provided the hunter uses the method(s) of take authorized by rule for each season being hunted.
    • If the youth tag is filled (used to harvest a deer) during any of those seasons, the license and tag become invalid for subsequent seasons.

Who is affected

  • Landowners in Iowa who experience wildlife-caused damage of $1,000 or more (eligible for depredation/deer-shooting permits).
  • Youth hunters and their families: greater flexibility in when a youth license can be purchased and across which seasons it may be used (subject to tag limits and DNR rules).
  • Iowa DNR: responsible for implementing the purchase windows and enforcing tag use rules.
  • License vendors/processors and local agricultural stakeholders who interact with depredation permit processes.

Implementation and timeline

  • Enacted into law on May 6, 2025 (governor’s signature). DNR will implement consistent with existing administrative rulemaking and operational procedures.
  • The license/tag use remains subject to season-specific methods of take established by DNR rule; filling the tag ends further use under that license.

Legislative actions (select)

  • Introduced: Feb 25, 2025
  • Passed both chambers (House: 86–6; Senate: 47–2 on final actions noted)
  • Signed by Governor: May 6, 2025

Practical impact

  • Clarifies and confirms the $1,000 damage threshold for landowner depredation permits.
  • Gives youth hunters greater purchasing flexibility and the ability to use one youth tag across multiple contiguous or later established seasons until the tag is filled, while preserving the single-tag harvest limit.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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