The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a series of public town hall meetings across the state in early March, giving residents a chance to review recent hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible rule changes, and share feedback directly with wildlife officials.
According to the DNR, local staff will present season summaries, answer questions, and gather public input that may shape future hunting and trapping regulations. Todd Bishop, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau, said the meetings are designed to encourage open discussion and allow Iowans to hear directly from staff about wildlife management decisions.
Officials say comments collected during these meetings will be considered alongside other public feedback before any proposed rule changes are submitted to the Natural Resource Commission for review and additional public comment. Input from past listening sessions has already led to regulatory updates, including adjustments to Canada goose hunting areas and seasons, expanded raccoon hunting and trapping opportunities on private land, modified antlerless deer quotas in certain regions, and an extension of the regular trapping season through the end of February.
The meetings are free and open to the public and will be held at the following dates, times, and locations:
March 2
- Waverly — 6 p.m., Waverly Public Library, 1500 W. Bremer Ave.
March 3
- Bloomfield — 6 p.m., Pioneer Ridge Nature Center, 1339 Hwy. 63
- Boone — 6 p.m., Wildlife Research Station, 1436 255th St.
- Burlington — 6 p.m., Burlington Public Library, 210 Court St.
- Chariton — 6 p.m., Pin Oak Lodge, 45996 State Hwy. 14
- Creston — 6 p.m., Performing Arts Building Room 124, 1201 W. Townline St.
- Decorah — 7 p.m., Luther College Franklin W. Olin Building Room 102, 700 College Dr.
- Des Moines — 6:45 p.m., Des Moines Izaak Walton, 4343 George Flagg Pkwy.
- Maquoketa — 7 p.m., Hurstville Interpretive Center, 18670 63rd St.
- Spencer — 6:30 p.m., Iowa Lakes Community College, 1900 Grand Ave. Suite B1
March 4
- Iowa City — 5:30 p.m., Johnson County Extension Office, 3109 Old Hwy 218 South
- Charles City — 6:30 p.m., Public Library Zastrow Room, 910 Clark St.
- Okoboji — 6 p.m., Maser Monarch Lodge, 22785 Nature Center Rd.
- Perry — 6 p.m., Forest Park Museum Administration Building, 14581 K Ave.
March 5
- Algona — 7 p.m., Tietz Entrepreneurial Center, 2111 Hwy 169 North
- Council Bluffs — 5:30 p.m., Bass Pro Shops, 2901 Bass Pro Dr.
- Hinton — 5 p.m., Dennis L. Sohl Center for Outdoor Learning, 25601 C60
- Lake View — 6:30 p.m., Speaker Park Shelter House, 418 N. Blossom St.
- Toledo — 5:30 p.m., Tama County Nature Center, 2283 Park Rd.
- Ventura — 6 p.m., Clear Lake Wildlife Unit Office, 15326 Balsam Ave.
Anyone needing accommodations for mobility, hearing, or other accessibility needs is encouraged to contact the Iowa DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY at 800-735-7942, or email Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov in advance of the meeting they plan to attend.
