Full Statute Name:  Iowa Code Annotated. Title XI. Natural Resources [Chs. 455-485]. Subtitle 6. Wildlife [Chs. 481-485]. Chapter 481A. Wildlife Conservation. Prohibited Acts. 481A.125. Intentional interference with lawful hunting, fishing, or fur-harvesting activities--penalties

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Primary Citation:  I. C. A. § 481A.125 Country of Origin:  United States Last Checked:  November, 2023 Alternate Citation:  IA ST § 481A.125 Date Adopted:  1993 Historical: 
Summary: This law reflects Iowa's hunter harassment provision. Under the law, a person interferes with hunting, fish, or fur-harvesting activities when he or she: intentionally places him or herself in a location where his or her presence affects the behavior of the game thereby affecting the feasibility of taking the animal; intentionally creates a visual, aural, olfactory, or physical stimulus for the purpose of affecting the behavior of the animal to harass or obstruct the hunter; or alters the condition or placement of the hunter's personal property to obstruct that person. A first offense is a simple misdemeanor; a second or subsequent offense is a serious misdemeanor.

 

1. As used in this section, “interfere with hunting, fishing, or fur-harvesting activities” means one or more of the following:

a. To intentionally place oneself in a location where a human presence may affect the behavior of a fur-bearing animal, game, bird, or fish or the feasibility of killing or taking a fur-bearing animal, game, bird, or fish with the intent of obstructing or harassing another person who is lawfully hunting, fishing, or fur harvesting.

b. To intentionally create a visual, aural, olfactory, or physical stimulus for the purpose of affecting the behavior of a fur-bearing animal, game, bird, or fish with the intent of obstructing or harassing another person who is lawfully hunting, fishing, or fur harvesting.

c. To intentionally affect the condition or alter the placement of personal property used for the purpose of killing or taking a fur-bearing animal, game, bird, or fish with the intent of obstructing or harassing another person who is lawfully hunting, fishing, or fur harvesting.

2. A person shall not interfere with the lawful hunting, fishing, or fur-harvesting activities of another person in an area where hunting, fishing, or fur harvesting is authorized by a custodian of public property or an owner or lessee of private property.

3. A person who commits:

a. A first offense of interfering with hunting, fishing, or fur-harvesting activities is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

b. A second or subsequent offense is punishable as a serious misdemeanor.

4. If a person who commits interfering with hunting, fishing, or fur-harvesting activities possesses a license, certificate, or permit issued by the department, the license, certificate, or permit is subject to suspension or revocation pursuant to section 481A.134.

5. This section shall not prohibit a landowner, tenant, or an employee of a landowner or tenant from performing normal agricultural operations or a law enforcement officer from performing official duties.

CREDIT(S)

Transferred from § 109.125 by the Code Editor for Code 1993. Amended by Acts 2000 (78 G.A.) ch. 1076, § 1; Acts 2000 (78 G.A.) ch. 1232, §§ 76, 77.


HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

2009 Main Volume

The 2000 amendment by ch. 1076, rewrote the section which prior thereto read:

“481A.125. Intentional obstruction of lawful activities prohibited--penalty

“1. A person shall not intentionally obstruct the participation of another person in the lawful activity of hunting, fishing, or trapping. This subsection shall not prohibit a landowner or lessee from exercising the landowner's or lessee's lawful rights.
“2. A person violating this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.”

The 2000 amendment by ch. 1232 made nonsubstantive changes.

 

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