Iowa Eliminates NR Party Hunting

[Hatchet Jack]

Got a text from my buddy in Iowa the other day. He said new Iowa rule change for 2024. No more nonresident party hunting.
It was always nice to get an invite to go hunt with him and his family on their properties. The only thing I needed was to buy a left over doe tag for one of the gun seasons. Anyone of us could shoot a doe or buck as long as there were buck tags available to him and his family.
Such a bummer! Was always a good time. Not sure why they eliminated it.

 

[Don_K]

"Anyone of us could shoot a doe or buck as long as there were buck tags available to him and his family."

This is why..... You can get doe tags, and still hunt with your buddy. They dont want the NR shooting a buck with a tag that is in a residents name.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

"Anyone of us could shoot a doe or buck as long as there were buck tags available to him and his family."

This is why..... You can get doe tags, and still hunt with your buddy. They dont want the NR shooting a buck with a tag that is in a residents name.

Understood, and already knew that. However, for all these years it has never been a problem or issue for us. Not sure what happened..... maybe some outfitters or landowners abused the system.
As much as I enjoy hunting with my buddy and his family. It is hard to think of spending $630 for just a doe tag, driving 13 hours and taking a week off of work without the chance of a crack at a buck.

 

[gundog2]

Understood, and already knew that. However, for all these years it has never been a problem or issue for us. Not sure what happened..... maybe some outfitters or landowners abused the system.
As much as I enjoy hunting with my buddy and his family. It is hard to think of spending $630 for just a doe tag, driving 13 hours and taking a week off of work without the chance of a crack at a buck.

I’m surprised that party hunting is allowed in any state under any circumstance.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

I’m surprised that party hunting is allowed in any state under any circumstance.

I hear ya. I am sure it was probably a way of squeezing as much money out of nonresidents as possible.
Oh well! It was fun while it lasted.

 

[Stillwater165]

They should completely eliminate the party hunting BS !!!!! Causes more problems than it does good, that’s a fact !

 

[Hatchet Jack]

I wouldn’t know. We never had any problems.
Just out of curiosity, what kind of problems did it cause?

 

[lostinOregon]

You didn’t have any problems shooting a buck without drawing your tag as a NR. That is the problem. It was a loophole.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

You didn’t have any problems shooting a buck without drawing your tag as a NR. That is the problem. It was a loophole.

Why should I have any problems? It was 100% legal and I paid about $600 for a tag.
I did not cause anyone not to draw a tag. So where does the problem lie?

 

[Stillwater165]

I wouldn’t know. We never had any problems.
Just out of curiosity, what kind of problems did it cause?

It’s been a problem since it began in many groups. Shooting too many deer, arguments over who gets which deer, who actually shot which deer, leads to taking poor shots, who had to tag which deer, and so on. Just add one greedy hunter in the mix or one with no self control. Put him in the right spot on a drive and he piles up 4 or 5 bucks, at the same time another group member piles up 3 or 4 more. Now we gotta problem, not enough tags ! Add in a couple head that another group member wounds in a different spot before hearing that the tags were all over filled and it gets even worse ! Not all groups have the issues but I dang sure know firsthand it happens more often than not. Not a good way to hunt whatsoever………

 

[Stillwater165]

You didn’t have any problems shooting a buck without drawing your tag as a NR. That is the problem. It was a loophole.

And yet another example of problems it can cause………

 

[Hatchet Jack]

It’s been a problem since it began in many groups. Shooting too many deer, arguments over who gets which deer, who actually shot which deer, leads to taking poor shots, who had to tag which deer, and so on. Just add one greedy hunter in the mix or one with no self control. Put him in the right spot on a drive and he piles up 4 or 5 bucks, at the same time another group member piles up 3 or 4 more. Now we gotta problem, not enough tags ! Add in a couple head that another group member wounds in a different spot before hearing that the tags were all over filled and it gets even worse ! Not all groups have the issues but I dang sure know firsthand it happens more often than not. Not a good way to hunt whatsoever………

The problems you describe are not exclusive to Iowa party hunting. They happen in whitetails states across the country.
I can honestly say we have none of the problems you describe above. The Iowa family that invites me to hunt their property are great people and a pleasure to hunt with.
Why punish all when a few break the rules?
Its like politicians that want to take your guns because people are being shot to death in Chicago or Baltimore.

 

[Stillwater165]

The problems you describe are not exclusive to Iowa party hunting. They happen in whitetails states across the country.
I can honestly say we have none of the problems you describe above. The Iowa family that invites me to hunt their property are great people and a pleasure to hunt with.
Why punish all when a few break the rules?
Its like politicians that want to take your guns because people are being shot to death in Chicago or Baltimore.

That’s great if you do it right and hunt with a great group, the problem is there is a whole bunch of them that don’t. And your correct it’s not only in Iowa whitetail hunting, there’s the same issues in other whitetail states that allow party hunting. I think requiring everyone to shoot and tag their own deer is not a punishment in any way shape or form ! It’s logical, and fair ! Fact of the matter is the party hunting causes more headaches for the DNR and many others than it’s worth.

 

[LivingTheDream]

I think it was mostly in place so grandfathers could let their grandkids kill a deer on their tag. But because we can't have nice things a few people will always abuse the rules.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Just so you guys realize. Party hunting will still be allowed in Iowa. Only thing is, non residents can not participate anymore. So how does that solve any problems or issues?

 

[LivingTheDream]

Just so you guys realize. Party hunting will still be allowed in Iowa. Only thing is, non residents can not participate anymore. So how does that solve any problems or issues?

Yeah it honestly doesn't make sense to me, the deer doesn't really care who shot it, and as long as there is a tag somewhere for the deer, it fits into a management strategy.

 

[tailchasers]

Long standing loop hole allowing Nonresidents the opportunity to kill a buck when all they purchased was a doe tag. Nothing more, nothing less. The system got noticeably abused so they changed the game. Can't say as I blame them. They already have doe tags for a separate holiday type season for family my members and a doe late season on the southern 2 tiers of counties in the state so it boiled down to killing a buck and using the Nonresident party hunt loop hole. Glad they did it.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Long standing loop hole allowing Nonresidents the opportunity to kill a buck when all they purchased was a doe tag. Nothing more, nothing less. The system got noticeably abused so they changed the game. Can't say as I blame them. They already have doe tags for a separate holiday type season for family my members and a doe late season on the southern 2 tiers of counties in the state so it boiled down to killing a buck and using the Nonresident party hunt loop hole. Glad they did it.

Doesn’t really matter. A non resident buying a doe tag does not create an additional buck tag. The buck tag already exists. You can only party hunt on private property . How is that taking away from anyone, or abusing the system. The buck tag will either go in the trash if not filled or someone will tag a buck. Whether it be the landowner or his cousin from Minnesota. What difference does it make?
“When all they purchase is a doe tag” LOL That doe tag costs over $600, the same as a buck tag.
You fail to show how “ the system got abused “.
For what it’s worth. I have party hunted Iowa a handful of times. I have only taken one buck party hunting. I have passed up many younger smaller bucks over the years. The guys I hunt with will not shoot a buck unless it is a very nice trophy. Other than that we fill our doe tags. Typically we hunt the second gun season. The rut is pretty much over and all the big buck have become nocturnal.
On the other hand, I have bow hunted Iowa since the early ‘90’s. There has only been one time I did not take home a nice buck and that was only because I was holding out for a nicer one I had my eye on.
I will be heading to Iowa this November. It took me 5 years of preference points to draw this tag. Last time I bow hunted Iowa was 2018.That tag took me 4 years to draw.

 

[Stillwater165]

Just so you guys realize. Party hunting will still be allowed in Iowa. Only thing is, non residents can not participate anymore. So how does that solve any problems or issues?

That doesn’t solve any of the problem whatsoever, you’ll get no argument out of me about that. Party hunting should be done away with for all ! Get your own tag, shoot your own deer. It shouldn’t come down to a resident / non resident difference. That was a crappy move by the department.

 

[gundog2]

Got a text from my buddy in Iowa the other day. He said new Iowa rule change for 2024. No more nonresident party hunting.
It was always nice to get an invite to go hunt with him and his family on their properties. The only thing I needed was to buy a left over doe tag for one of the gun seasons. Anyone of us could shoot a doe or buck as long as there were buck tags available to him and his family.
Such a bummer! Was always a good time. Not sure why they eliminated it.

You can still buy the leftover tags and hunt with your friend in Iowa, and I imagine you can apply for buck tags. Get over it. You hunt in Iowa as a guest of the residents.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

You can still buy the leftover tags and hunt with your friend in Iowa, and I imagine you can apply for buck tags. Get over it. You hunt in Iowa as a guest of the residents.

Nope,I can not apply for buck tags. You imagine Wrong! Have you even read thruogh this thread. You have no idea what you are talking about.
And what exactly is it I am supposed to get over?
Move along gunnie….

 

[tailchasers]

Cry me a river Hatchet Jack... Hunted Iowa as a resident over half my life. Your bubble burst and now ya gotta play a bit harder. Suck it up butter cup and learn the new rules. If ya don't like it then don't play.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Cry me a river Hatchet Jack... Hunted Iowa as a resident over half my life. Your bubble burst and now ya gotta play a bit harder. Suck it up butter cup and learn the new rules. If ya don't like it then don't play.

Ain’t no body crying over here turdchaser.
I was just pointing out a new regulation that didn’t seem to make sense and so far no one, including you have made a legitimate argument for it.
I got you your butter cup swinging Spanky.
Typically when someone can’t win a debate they resort to mocking and insults. Which is exactly what you did. Bring it on and will come right back atchya Spanky.

 

[tailchasers]

Next ...

 

[lostinOregon]

It does make sense to most of the folks on the post. It was a loophole that has been closed.

 

[gundog2]

Ain’t no body crying over here turdchaser.
I was just pointing out a new regulation that didn’t seem to make sense and so far no one, including you have made a legitimate argument for it.
I got you your butter cup swinging Spanky.
Typically when someone can’t win a debate they resort to mocking and insults. Which is exactly what you did. Bring it on and will come right back atchya Spanky.

Iowa doesn’t have to answer to you and nobody owes you an explanation.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Iowa doesn’t have to answer to you and nobody owes you an explanation.

What you are actually saying is that you are not smart enough to give an explanation. Because up to now, you have none and only give insults.
Move along gunnie

 

[Joe2Kool]

I started reading this because at first I thought it meant party APPLICATIONS, meaning 2 NR could not apply for 2 NR tags as a group. Then I realized what it was about.

Not defending or criticizing the change, but IMO, it is part of an overall trend to improve access for residents of all states at the expense of NRs.

 

[Bluehair]

I think it was mostly in place so grandfathers could let their grandkids kill a deer on their tag. But because we can't have nice things a few people will always abuse the rules.

Fortunately, that long family tradition of shooting a deer with someone else’s license will live on thru Iowa residents.

 

[sandycreek12]

Yeah it honestly doesn't make sense to me, the deer doesn't really care who shot it, and as long as there is a tag somewhere for the deer, it fits into a management strategy.

because we only allow a certain number of NR antlered tags a year, and people were side stepping the quota via party hunting. Its really pretty simple

 

[RutCrazed]

Nope,I can not apply for buck tags. You imagine Wrong! Have you even read thruogh this thread. You have no idea what you are talking about.
And what exactly is it I am supposed to get over?
Move along gunnie….

Iowa does not allow NRs to shoot bucks? Even through the draw?

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Iowa does not allow NRs to shoot bucks? Even through the draw?

Through the draw, yes. You can still shoot a buck.
What they eliminated was; non resident party hunting.

 

[RutCrazed]

Through the draw, yes. You can still shoot a buck.
What they eliminated was; non resident party hunting.

You wrote that you can not apply for buck tags, but then said you could? Why not just apply for a buck tag and if you draw you can hunt with your family/friends if you don't than you try again next year.....like everyone else.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

You wrote that you can not apply for buck tags, but then said you could? Why not just apply for a buck tag and if you draw you can hunt with your family/friends if you don't than you try again next year.....like everyone else.

A non resident archery buck tag now takes 5 years to draw.
With party hunting, a non resident was able to hunt with a resident on his or her property year after year as long as you purchased a leftover doe tag for one of the gun seasons only. If the resident/landowner had any buck tags, they could give the non resident permission to fill one of the buck tags.

 

[Kelcher]

I heard that people were paying residents to sit in a blind with them so they could shoot a buck. This was not the intent so they are clarifying what the intent was.

Were people doing anything wrong? Not according to how the rules had been interpreted for years. The DNR is just adjusting that interpretation now.