MAY 24, 2022BYO. KAY HENDERSON

Ken Rozenboom. (photo from IA Legislature.)

Bill creates new deer hunting season, with AR-15s

The legislature has sent the governor a bill that would set up a new January hunting season for deer in counties where some of the state licenses for harvesting antlerless deer were not sold. Senator Ken Rozenboom said the bill would let deer hunters use semi-automatic rifles during that period.

“The purpose of this season is not to hunt for sport, but rather to manage the size of the herd,” Rozenboom said, “which is why more efficient and effective firearms are being authorized.”

The bill cleared the Senate unanimously in April and the House approved it today on a 56-34 vote. Representative Todd Prichard, a Democrat from Charles City, said it’s a dangerous idea to use AR-15s to hunt for deer.

“The range that I’m familiar with this type of weapon…