Iowans Can Now Hunt This Animal Year Round

Fall can be a wonderful time in the state of Iowa. The temperatures have normally cooled down to a comfortable level, football season is back, and it's the beginning of many different hunting seasons for Iowans across the state. Most of the time, hunters are hunting for the right reasons. They are hunting for food, they are hunting for sport, and they are hunting to spend some quality time outdoors.

There is now an animal Iowans can hunt year round but I highly doubt many people will hunt these animals for the food, sport, or great outdoor aspect. Most Iowans will hunt them because they are a terrible nuisance in the state of Iowa. I'm talking about everyone's least favorite trash panda...

According to Iowa DNR, new rules and laws have been addressed regarding hunting raccoons in the state.

Iowa DNR says "Landowners or tenants may dispatch raccoons causing damage to their agricultural property, outside of the city limits. Landowners may shoot or trap raccoons using a cage or dog-proof traps. A license is not required and landowners do not need to notify the DNR before shooting or trapping."

This bill has been signed by Governor Reynolds and these new raccoon rules are currently in effect, according to Iowa DNR. If a raccoon is causing damage to your agricultural property, you can deal with the problem at any time of the year. A license is not required and you do not have to notify the DNR before shooting or trapping.

There are some stipulations. You may only use firearms, cage traps, or dog-proof traps as these are the only legal methods of take. During the fur harvester season, trappers may use other lawful traps that are normally allowed during trapping seasons.

I'll be the first one to say it, I absolutely hate raccoons. They can be such a nuisance to deal with, whether they are messing around with your trash bins, or crawling around in your house/attic. They can also attack your pets playing in the yard or the animals you have on your farm. I do everything I can to avoid raccoons when I see them.

Have you ever seen this mother who bravely saves her daughter from a raccoon attack?

*WARNING - Screaming Child in This Video*

How traumatizing is that for a little kid? She'll probably be afraid of raccoons for the rest of her life. Check out this raccoon thief. What a jerk.

I do want to also add this... While raccoons can now be hunted in Iowa year-round, I hope at the very least, this is done responsibly. You can't just willy-nilly go shooting raccoons if you see them on Main Street or you live in town and find one in your backyard.

They do need to be causing damage to your agricultural property. I'll probably get called soft for this but they are also a living and breathing creature. While hunting a raccoon outside of the season is now legal under the right circumstances, unless they are causing a problem or there is an emergency situation, it is okay to leave them alone as you both go about your day.

Remember to be smart, stay safe, and always use your best judgment.