Des Moines, Iowa — Black bears would become a protected species under legislation working its way through the Iowa House.
Representative Dave Jacoby of Coralville says the goal is to let state officials regulate hunting if the black bear population grows.
Jacoby says he sponsored the bill after hearing from a number of people in Winneshiek County.
The bill directs the Department of Natural Resources to monitor the population of black bear in Iowa and set up a hunting season if the population needs to be controlled or reduced at any point.
Todd Coffelt of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says if the population increases, a so-called “season” for black bear should be included in the part of state law about “fur harvesting.”
For example, there’s currently a coyote season in Iowa, alongside seasons for trapping smaller animals like mink and muskrats. That season started November 5th and ends January 31st.
