The deer bow hunting season is currently underway here in Iowa.  

Recently the Iowa legislature updated a policy that could affect bowhunters across the state. A rule change approved by the administrative rules committee during this year’s legislative session allows hunters who have a valid permit-to-carry to utilize this privilege while bowhunting. The permit is applicable for deer hunters under an archery tag. This change was included as part of a gun rules package approved by the committee.

While being allowed to carry a handgun, hunters are not permitted to use a handgun to shoot a deer during the portion of the archery season, which runs from October 1st-December 1st. Hunters who do not have a permit-to-carry may not have a handgun in their possession while hunting under an archery tag. A handgun is a legal method of take for the late muzzleloader season.