Iowa DNR Hosts Meetings to Discuss Hunting and Trapping Seasons

Meetings scheduled in Waverly, Decorah, Charles City, and other Iowa cities

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings across the state to provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss potential changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested by attendees.

Why it matters

These meetings allow the Iowa DNR to directly engage with the public, gather feedback, and consider comments as they work through the process of proposing any changes to hunting and trapping rules. Past feedback from similar meetings has resulted in regulation changes, so public participation is important.

The details

At the meetings, Iowa DNR's Wildlife Bureau Chief Todd Bishop said the agency wants people to come out, listen to season reviews, ask questions, and provide direct feedback to staff. Part of each meeting will be devoted to discussing potential rule changes. Comments collected will be considered along with other feedback as the DNR proposes any modifications to hunting and trapping regulations, which will then be presented to the Natural Resource Commission for further public comment.

  • The meetings will take place on the following dates:
  • March 2 at 6 p.m. in Waverly at the Waverly Public Library
  • March 3 at 7 p.m. in Decorah at the Franklin W. Olin Building at Luther College
  • March 4 at 6:30 p.m. in Charles City at the Public Library Zastrow Room
  • March 5 at 7 p.m. in Algona at the Tietz Entrepreneurial Center at the Algona campus of Iowa Lakes Community College
  • March 5 at 6 p.m. in Ventura at the Clear Lake Wildlife Unit Office

The players

Todd Bishop

Chief of the Iowa DNR's Wildlife Bureau

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What they’re saying

“We want people to come out to these meetings, listen to the season's reviews, ask questions and hear directly from our staff. Part of the meeting will be devoted to discussing potential rule changes and collecting feedback as we work through the rules process.”

— Todd Bishop, Chief of the Iowa DNR's Wildlife Bureau (kchanews.com)

What’s next

The Iowa DNR will consider the feedback collected from these public meetings as they work to propose any changes to hunting and trapping regulations, which will then be presented to the Natural Resource Commission for further public comment.

The takeaway

These town hall meetings demonstrate the Iowa DNR's commitment to engaging directly with the public and incorporating their feedback into the process of updating hunting and trapping rules. By providing this opportunity for input, the agency aims to ensure regulations reflect the needs and priorities of Iowa's outdoor enthusiasts.