Hunting and Habitat Public Meetings

This hunting and habitat meetings webpage will highlight public meeting dates and locations where rules, regulations and habitat management plans and proposals related to hunting and wildlife management areas will be discussed, and will include the information being presented at each meeting and provide an email address where comments on the specific topics may be sent.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting a public meeting at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10, to discuss a timber salvage project at three public wildlife areas in east central Iowa. The areas were all damaged by the derecho in August. Those interested in participating in the meeting, may register in advance at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAudOirrT4jE9SKJd9m9H8OKXUpH8XsFqJ v .

The timber salvage projects are located on about five acres at Vermace Woods and about 100 acres at East Salt Creek, both in Tama County, and about 300 acres at Chain-O-Lakes, in Linn County.

The salvage projects were necessitated due to damage caused by the derecho in August. Tree species damaged along the river bottom include cottonwood and silver maple. On the higher elevation, the tree species that took losses are primarily oak, hickory, basswood, cherry and walnut.

“The areas received significant damage, to the point that its difficult even for wildlife to get through,” said Steve Woodruff, wildlife biologist for the Iowa DNR. “Our goal for this project is to clear enough of the materials that wildlife can move freely and the public can enjoy using it again. Ultimately, we want to restore the woodlands back to a diverse and healthy forest and to perpetuate oaks for future generations.” At the public meeting, the DNR will present the scope of the projects, the general layout of the areas, discuss the objectives and removing damaged material from the areas.

The projects will be released for bonded timber buyers to review and submit their bids. Successful bidders will begin work this winter and, if necessary, have next winter to complete it. Work may be conducted from Oct. 1 to March 31, due to the presence of the northern long-eared bat, which is listed as a threatened species by the Endangered Species Act.

Any person participating in the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

• Iowa River Wildlife Unit, Proposed Public Land Salvage Harvest Sites

RUSSELL, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will holding a virtual meeting on Oct. 13, beginning at 6 p.m., to discuss the recently completed forest wildlife stewardship plan for the Tyrone Wildlife Area.

“This meeting will give a brief overview on the history of the Tyrone area and the forest management practices that will be implemented in the years to come,” said Heath Van Waus, wildlife biologist for the Iowa DNR. “Gathering public input is an important step in the process of developing the final management plan.”

To participate in the meeting, go to https://zoom.us/j/95500100139?pwd=U29Ccm0yejVPclBvMk1MSWJsTFZ4UT09

Any person participating in the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

Forest Wildlife Stewardship Plan for Tyrone Wildlife Area

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on Oct. 7, from 6-7:30 p.m., at Gull Point State Park Lodge in Wahpeton, to discuss the recently completed forest stewardship plan for Angler’s Bay.

“When the Angler's Bay property was acquired, it was suggested by resource professionals that invasive riparian trees should be removed to eliminate shading to the best-in-state hardstem bulrush and other aquatic and terrestrial plant beds,” said Mark Gulick, northwest district supervisor for the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau. “We will be accepting comments on our plan that is designed to accomplish that, as well as convert the adjacent uplands from a low quality and degraded forest back to its historic condition of an oak savanna.”

The DNR will have copies of the plan and associated maps available to be viewed, and staff will be on hand to answer questions and offer further discussions. 

Those planning to attend the open house will be asked a few questions on potential exposure to COVID-19 prior to entry and are encouraged, but not required, to wear a mask. Attendance at the lodge will be held to 50 percent of capacity. If attendance exceeds 50 percent capacity, the DNR will employ a one out one in policy – when attendees leave, a similar number will be allowed to enter.

For those with a compromised immune system or who do not feel comfortable attending this public meeting, may participate by reviewing the presented materials below.

Any person attending the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs./p>

Angler's Bay Shoreland and Associated Oak Savanna Stewardship Plan

KEOSAUQUA, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on Sept. 22, from 5-7 p.m., at the shelter house at Lake Sugema County Conservation Campground, 19640 Jersey Street, in Keosauqua, to discuss the recently completed forest stewardship plan for Selma and Van Buren wildlife areas.

“The new forest wildlife plans for both of these wildlife areas will guide current and future managers to continue work on oak regeneration while providing suitable habitat for forest game and nongame species that inhabit these areas. The Des Moines River corridor is an important migration stop for many of the neotropical migrant birds that pass-through Iowa in the spring and fall,” said Jeff Glaw, wildlife biologist for the Iowa DNR. “Gathering public input is an important step in the process of developing the final management plan.”

The DNR will have copies of the plan and associated maps available to be viewed, and staff will be on hand to answer questions and offer further discussions.

Those planning to attend the open house will be asked a few questions on potential exposure to COVID-19 prior to entry and are encouraged, but not required, to wear a mask. Attendance at the shelter house will be held to 50 percent of capacity. If attendance exceeds 50 percent capacity, the DNR will employ a one out one in policy – when attendees leave, a similar number will be allowed to enter.

For those with a compromised immune system or who do not feel comfortable attending this public meeting, may participate by reviewing the presented materials below.

Any person attending the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

Forest Wildlife Stewardship Plan for Selma and Van Buren Wildlife Management Areas

Map - Selma Wildlife Management Area

Map - Van Buren Wildlife Management Area

TRIPOLI, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on Sept. 1, from 5-7 p.m., at Chapin Park, in Tripoli, to discuss the recently completed forest wildlife stewardship plan for Upper Wapsi, Wapsi Flats, Heffernan, Miller, Sweet Marsh and Aldo Leopold wildlife areas.

“This plan will guide the future management of the forest habitats on the wildlife areas and gathering public input is an important step in the process of developing the final management plan,” said Jason Auel, wildlife biologist for the Iowa DNR.

The DNR will have copies of the plan and associated maps available to be viewed, and staff will be on hand to answer questions and offer further discussions.

Those planning to attend the open house will be asked a few questions on potential exposure to COVID-19 prior to entry and are encouraged, but not required, to wear a mask. Attendance at the picnic shelter will be held to 50 percent of capacity. If attendance exceeds 50 percent capacity, the DNR will employ a one out one in policy – when attendees leave, a similar number will be allowed to enter.

For those with a compromised immune system or who do not feel comfortable attending this public meeting, may participate by reviewing the presented materials online at www.iowadnr.gov/huntinghabitatmeetings.

Any person attending the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

Forest Wildlife Stewardship Plan for Upper Wapsi Corridor Wildlife Management Areas

BELLEVUE, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on August 19, from 5-7 p.m., at the lodge patio at Bellevue State Park, 24668 Hwy. 52, in Bellevue, to discuss the recently completed forest stewardship plan for Big Mill Creek and Little Mill wildlife areas.

“This plan will guide the future management of the forest habitats on the wildlife areas and gathering public input is an important step in the process of developing the final management plan,” said Curt Kemmerer, wildlife biologist for the Iowa DNR. 

The DNR will have copies of the plan and associated maps available to be viewed, and staff will be on hand to answer questions and offer further discussions. 

Those planning to attend the open house will be asked a few questions on potential exposure to COVID-19 prior to entry and are encouraged, but not required, to wear a mask. Attendance at the lodge patio will be held to 50 percent of capacity. If attendance exceeds 50 percent capacity, the DNR will employ a one out one in policy – when attendees leave, a similar number will be allowed to enter.

For those with a compromised immune system or who do not feel comfortable attending this public meeting, may participate by reviewing the presented materials online at www.iowadnr.gov/huntinghabitatmeetings. 

Any person attending the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

Forest Wildlife Stewardship Plan for Big Mill Creek and Little Mill Wildlife Management Areas