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Read. Follow. Verify.Iowa Senate File 203 Prohibits Taking Black Bears, Gray Wolves, and Mountain Lions
Last action · February 5, 2025: Subcommittee: Evans, De Witt, and Trone Garriott. S.J. 203 .Sponsor: Molly Donahue
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What This Bill Would Do
This bill prohibits the of black bears, gray wolves, and mountain lions in Iowa, establishes strict exceptions for self-defense and livestock protection, and imposes criminal and civil penalties for violations.
Residents, livestock owners, and hunters face potential charges, fines between $855 and $8,540, and civil penalties of up to $2,000 for unlawfully killing protected apex predators.
- State File 203 was introduced in the Iowa Senate by Senator Donahue during the 2025 legislative session. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Livestock Owners
Livestock owners must follow strict reporting conditions, avoid dogs and traps, and seek prior authorization if they need to protect livestock from protected predators.
State Fish and Game Protection Fund
The fund receives additional revenue from civil penalties levied against individuals who violate the predator protection rules.
Key Facts
- A person is prohibited from taking a black bear, gray wolf, or mountain lion unless otherwise provided by law.
- Wolves are officially removed from the Code definition of 'fur-bearing animals'.
- Taking an animal is permitted if immediately necessary to protect a person or companion animal from bodily harm, provided the department is notified within twenty-four hours.
- Livestock owners may take an animal to protect livestock only if they submit a detailed written report to the department within five days and refrain from using dogs, traps, or snares.
Show all 7 facts
- Violating the taking prohibition is classified as an aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by confinement of up to two years and fines ranging from $855 to $8,540.
- Violators are subject to a civil penalty of up to $2,000 per violation, which is deposited into the state fish and game protection fund.
- Unlawfully taking a black bear, gray wolf, mountain lion, elk, antelope, buffalo, or moose requires reimbursing the state $2,500 for the value of the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I kill a wolf or bear if it attacks my livestock?
What are the penalties for unlawfully killing a mountain lion?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 5, 2025SenateSubcommittee: Evans, De Witt, and Trone Garriott. S.J. 203 .
- Feb 4, 2025SenateIntroducedIntroduced, referred to Natural Resources and Environment. S.J. 188 .
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Reclassification of Wolves
The bill shifts wolves out of the statutory definition of fur-bearing animals to establish an explicit taking prohibition.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legis.iowa.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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