A bill for an act relating to deer depredation.

This bill (HF 378) allows Iowa landowners and tenants suffering $1,000+ in annual economic loss to agriculture, horticulture, or tree/nursery operations from deer damage to obtain depredation permits. It creates a specific January 11-31 deer depredation hunting season for permit holders and expands permitted hunting methods to include rifles, shotguns, bows, and crossbows. The bill also clarifies that deer taken under these permits may be disposed of by composting or waste, rather than requiring meat donation. These changes directly affect farmers and land managers facing significant deer-related crop or property losses.