It is our understanding that the Iowa DNR has tabled this law regarding trail cameras on public land. The Iowa Sportsman Club had some meetings with the state and were able to get this stopped! No official documentation has been released.

Ohhh nooo..people have completely forgotten how to hunt without cameras.. people have been killing big deer wayyy before cameras and will continue to do so. Everybody calm down lol people crack me up. These guys are worried about losing money on their cameras..not hunting.

Great honest discussion!! Especially since most would assume your view would be total bias for cams. Excellent!! Interesting times. So many states have had their resources exploited and ruined. I can’t blame any state for dialing XYZ back. The pendulum has swung so far against the resource …. I’ll gladly give some things up if it’s in the best interest of the resource & next generations of hunters.

We will find out who the real hunters are now. All these you tubers are going to be the ones to feel the wrath. These cameras have gotten out of hand and turned hunters lazy

I know you guys are in the trail cam business so I understand why you dont like this. Im an Iowa resident who hunts public and private and im a fan of getting rid of cameras on public. Its not difficult to spread 20 cameras across 10 public tracts and figure out where to hunt based off of what those cameras show. It is difficult to scout and hunt all 10 of those tracts. I think it will help bucks get older in the long run.

we can poop in the woods again without fear of being on cam!!

It's a good start. Now they will have to learn out to hunt the old fashioned way.

These laws should be voted on by the general public. I have a feeling most people don't want more laws added to them daily. To much goverment in the world already...

It's exactly like someone leaving a deer stands on public. Nobody pays attention to the rules. I see so many deer stands on public all year round and it's been illegal for years. It's going to keep honest people honest and that's it.

My problem will be if they say you can’t put trail cameras on your own private land. I use them to monitor my property now, even though I started using them for deer. The libertarian in me comes out quickly when the federal or state government says I can’t take photos on my own property! This years Indiana deer survey had a lot of questions about trail camera use?

I wish cameras would go away all together. I use them but they have ruined the magic of what hunting use to be. There’s a generation out there trying to learn how to hunt and have no clue what it was like. The magic has been lost that I grew up with.

Im actually ok with this. Its annoying dodging 20 cameras every time you step in the woods

This is great news. Iowa is one of the only states out there making regulation changes that will actually increase age structure . They should be making these changes because everyone wants to hunt Iowa for a chance at a giant. Lawmakers know this and have made Iowa even better .

I’m on board, I hope all states ban cellular cameras.

Will DNR force trail camera companies to reveal the identity of cell camera owners when in doubt? How would they ever prove who a cell camera belongs to otherwise? It’s not like you’re coming back to check it…New product idea, burner cell cameras

Yea this will be interesting to see how it plays out, and to see if any other states keep making similar laws.

Absolutely best law to come out for public land hunters

Can you provide the link in your video description of these new comments about trail cameras by the Iowa DNR. I looked on their website and used several search engines and cannot seem to find it.

I agree with this move and I live in Iowa. Hunting a mature whitetail needs to have the mystery brought back to the hunt. It's one thing to have a trail camera, but why the hell do you need to have to the minute updates on a deer. That is what is slimy to me. Keep technology out of the woods and enjoy a surprise for God's sake.

Do you guys have the article you were reading from? I'm trying to find it but can't.

Personally, even thou I currently use a few trail cameras, I'd support it. A lot of Hunters who lack the skills or the time to properly read the sign with boots on the ground, are compensating with a large camera Net. I like to use cameras to get a pic of what the sign is telling me is there, but it's a luxury I could do without considering the number of cameras I've had stolen, the Number of amateurs that crowd in on other Hunters because they got a cell pic of a Big Buck, even thou their ability to Hunt such a mature deer is dependent on the Picture, and more often used to claim public ground, and discourage other Hunters from setting up there, when truth be told some of them have cameras on Public across several states, and wouldn't be there without pictures from a wide coverage of cameras across whole regions. Those are the same guys that will tell other Hunters on Public, Hey I got a pic of you on my cell cam, I'm Hunting that area!! 🤦 I'll respond to such Intimidation by switching target Bucks, and printing photos of the one I was pushed away from with gps & access points & post it on all the local sport pages. When season opens you won't need to hang a set, there will be 50 to choose from.😁

As an Iowan I feel as if there are multiple hunting regs that have far too much gray, with that being said it seems to be left to the officers discretion as to what to do with the situation surrounding those gray areas and it’s wrong! I could ask 10 officers the same question and probably get a totally different answer from most of them

I’m from Ohio. Two buddies and I got drawn this year. I just saw that there are no changes to trail cam regulations for the 2024/2025 season

These laws are getting ridiculous….nobody is running out there immediately after getting a picture and shooting a deer

Outlawed on PUBLIC is a great move. IDC what anyone does on private land.

This is the one of the best laws for hunting iowa has passed. Go out and do the physical scouting. I hate using trail cams of any kind. I feel like it cheapens the hunt and lessens my outdoor skills

I think this is a fantastic law. Many hunters detest living in a 'surveillance state'.... why do we put the game we profess to love through the same thing?

I hunt public land A LOT. I agree with NOT allowing cellular cameras on PUBLIC land. The younger generation may be used to being watched by cameras while they attended public school etc., but I have a problem with someone thinking they have the right to not only monitor wildlife, in real time, on public, in my home state, from OTHER STATES, while they are also monitoring ALL activity on public, including human and otherwise. Someone made the comment, well if you're not doing anything wrong, you shouldn't care if someone is watching you. Hitler's people said the same thing. Another issue is that people are using the cameras to ESTABLISH EXCLUSIVE HUNTING LOCATIONS ON PUBLIC. You go into an area on public to scout/hunt and it is blanketed with trail cams, it makes you not want to come back, which is exactly what the camera owner wants. It becomes a race to see who can get their trail cameras out on public hotspots the quickest. My state is also addressing drone use, even for deer recovery, on public. There is no getting around scouting other deer, while looking for a potentially downed deer. The intel is gathered, whether intentional, or not. Watch a drone deer recovery in progress, and tell me the hiring hunters aren't making mental notes where other bucks are sighted while looking for a possibly expired deer. Just because a technology exists, does not mean it is right to be able to use it in every situation. Trail cameras and drones for recovery on private property are not as big of a deal to me, but there is till potential for stepping outside the realm of "fair chase".

A good story always starts with, I got him on my cell cam and got him.

Cell cameras should not be allowed ANYWHERE during open season. I know FOR A FACT it makes it too easy.

When will this be in the regulation book? Because as of 6/3/24 it’s not yet

I dont care either way, i dont hunt Iowa or any public. That being said...if trail cams are outlawed, then so should fish sonar units. It's the same concept.

I’ve used trail cameras and I’ve not used them, honestly no difference in my chances of getting a deer. I think those who are against them have not used them much or have much knowledge about them.

I'm ok with this. Sounds like you can put your cameras up in the summer and see what's in there. Go take them down before season starts (maybe when you put up your ladder stand 7 days before season opens). Sounds to me like this would be legal. It would also stop all the hunters that wait for there "buck" to start daylighting or when a certain buck is in your area and you need to get out there. Just make sure if you're a out of state hunter coming to Iowa your in the woods end of October and beginning on Nov and wait for one that gets your blood pumping.

I wouldnt mind seeing a change with cell cams on private land as well. I dont want to see them banned but I would like to see a change in the software on all makes and models to have some kind of delay. Maybe like 24 to 48 hr delay from the picture or video taken to send time. I know some guys will complain if they're not able to use the cell cams for surveillance at their gates or cabins, etc but there has to be a way to orchestrate some kind of solution for that?

What about people who run trail cameras but aren't using them for hunting?

Just pay the ticket and go on. Ticket will be cheaper than driving back and forth and scouting if you live 10 hours away such as myself. They can’t keep the tree stands off public land now much less trail cameras. In the near future trail cameras will be small they will be difficult to find in the woods.

this all sounds good for iowa lol Jake even said so

These guys are worried about losing money, not deer.

Now Let's Talk about all the Hunting Celebrities breaking the Iowa Hunting regulations. This a regulation paragraph straight out the rule book. Nothing before Nothing follows. A person is not considered a resident under this paragraph if the person is residing in the state only for a special or temporary purpose including, but not limited to; engaging in hunting, fishing or trapping.

If you want to worry about people going to other states its not because of the trail camera rule its about the loss of deer to EHD

I'm going to open Pandora's box here but why do they allow electric bikes on public ground. After all, it is motorized. I used to be able to get off the beaten path where a lot of others wouldn't go because it was too long of a walk. Now they're driving everywhere on the public. Call me selfish but since EBs have gotten big, I've lost some spots that were consistently good.

IN cannot handle anymore. The quality and quantity of deer in Indiana has significantly decreased over the last 10 years because of EHD, high powered rifles and crossbows in conjunction with out of state hunting. I know we’re not the only one, every state in the Midwest needs to go to a draw system and change it’s season to late firearms seasons and end out of state hunting for several years and do a quota system for awhile to increase the age structure for deer in general and numbers.

Might as well say it, cell cameras that send information to your phone are stretching the limit of fair chase. Public and private land stand on equal ground. I prefer some pull back with technology.

Missouri has been this way for a long time and let me tell you there’s NO shortage of cameras scattered throughout the public land woods lol In Missouri it’s illegal however I’ve never known anyone to get a ticket for using them. All us hunters are respectful of other’s property. Sure there are some people who will use it as an excuse to steal someone’s camera but this will not change anyone from hunting in Iowa

Another issue that can be causing an uprise in EHD. Is the fact people are putting mineral sites out in front of trail cameras and hunting over them. I see it a lot. Another issue is the fact an infected Deer with EHD visits a mineral site or multiple deer. Then a deer that isn't infected is now infected. But what irritates me is the fact I pay taxes on my own land and own my own land. I should be able to use cameras if I want too. Especially to catch trespassers.

I know people that do more “hunting” thru checking their cell cams, than time spent with boots on the ground. Ban all cell cams for public property!

No more pistol calibers or high powered rifles in once previously shotgun only states either!!!! Let’s just turn it back 20 years. Bigger deer on public then and a lot of them, no more party hunting, deer driving, spot lighting. And in the case of how it reads for Iowa a range finder couldn’t be used either.

Jake Hofer I think you mean the book 1984 not 1985.

What is technically using a cellular camera to aid in a hunt? I can only see this being enforceable if say I was to get a pic 300 yards away while I’m in the stand, instantly climb down and head over there to kill that deer. If I get a pic of a deer 100 yards away and he continues to walk past my stand and I shoot him then what good did that camera do me? It sure didn’t aid in the harvest of that animal whatsoever aside from the fact that maybe my stand choice for that hunt was based upon pictures I had received before the hunt but then that just goes back to it being worded as “during the hunt”

I've been hunting for 57 years. You don't need trail cameras to hunt quality deer. You need to do actual scouting.

Idk my opinion on the matter, but I will say this... We can thank all the celeb hunters and social media for this. When social media has pimped hunting so hard and the majority of folks in the woods nowadays are just wanting that one hero pic for likes and clicks, and not hunting for the right reasons, its no wonder that morals go out the window. These states are just being proactive (or maybe reactive due to the late timing) to keep something bigger from transpiring. Idk whatever kinda scenario you wanna come up with but its all relative... You have a cam running, you know someone else has been checking the cam or stole it, come in to hunt said area the next day and see someone there... Instant confrontation. It really has become a mess and I honestly think it comes back to social media but we can't really blame the state for a problem man has made.

I think cell cameras have gotten out of hand. I have had a couple of situations on public where guys hashownwed up after i was on their camera and either questioned me a lot or came into my hunt right at prime time. That is the problem I have with it. With all the studies that have been done and the evidence showing that deer know the cameras are there i think it makes the deer smarter as well. Just my opinions based on what I've seen, watched, and read.

Another new Iowa law, NR hunters can no longer use or hunt under party tag for gun season.

The cell camera is to help people find locate and kill a more mature deer!! I'm so glad there's so many Ken's and Karen's setting the rules for our hunting woods ain't it great

As an Iowan I think its a good thing. Cell phone cameras are for lazy hunters. Learn to hunt . There are people using cell cameras to poach. And yes cell phone camera's are now illegal on private land in Iowa as well. Long term this is a good think. Also you should be more worried about the deer we have lost to EHD than bit**ing about actually having to scout and hunt. And you do not need cell phone cams to hunt. Tons of big deer have been killed without a cell cam or a regular trail camera

As an Older Bow-hunter, I don't need any cameras to kill Big Bucks, and I was last to get on the cell cam craze, but I think the most benefit for myself is that it gives me motivation, to drive 1000 miles to Illinois, get my old ass up early ,every morning, and sit in a freezing Tree-stand, for days on end, because I have a picture of a Big Old Boy, in the neighborhood.But, Back in the Day, even when I was young, after a couple of days, of not seeing anything, I would get discouraged, start to second guess myself, , move stands around, try other places,etc. Now, if I have just one picture, of a monster, I'm hunting until the cows come home !

Personally I think Cell cams should only be used on non public land. If you want to scout with Cams then you need to get out of your chair and check the SD cards in person. Taking them off all public land regardless of cell or not is ok and most likely to be the simplest way no 24 hours allowed.

Need two deer a year. Cams not necessary, but add to experience. I vote to keep the cameras.

Is this ban on cell cams or all cams?

Actively hunting is not thay hard to understand. If your in the woods pursuing deer at that exact moment your actively hunting. Lol not that difficult. But man this is huge blow to trail camera company's.

As an Iowa resident, I am glad they are banned on public. Everyone who hunts public should have the same fair hunt that everyone else is. I am not sure which residents you're talking that are pissed about it. I know none

Older bucks means better herd.

One more thing... Am I the only one that despises how these laws are written up?! I cannot stand the word salad that all these laws are written up as. Just give me laymans terms. Like, "Hey, DO NOT drive and drive." Not all of this, "Under Iowa state law anyone with a blood alcohol content of .08 or above is considered to be impaired and therefore should not operate a motor vehicle." Just throw it out there!! Especially with game laws. They get so long winded and so much legal jargon in the wordage that by the end of it sometimes I'm thinking to myself, "Hang on, now we are splitting hairs and they dang near contradicted the same thing they set out to 'nip in the bud' in the first place."

Good luck enforcing it on private ground 😂

Hey guys you're saying that cameras on public land are private property but yet you're on public land I would believe that's a little sketchy area as you could go ahead and check somebody's camera that's on public land because they become public property I would never touch anybody's property but not really sure how that would go as a person going out and seeing a camera and checking it out if there's a deer on the camera or not I would never do it because it's not mine but I'm sure there's people that do do it or steal it or one of the two

okay, we get it. The "master" hunters commenting are so awesome that you no longer take a "real" weapon into the woods anymore (you know, technology. not fair) and merely look at a big buck with your powerful, intimidating stare and it falls over dead. I will never get over the irony of people whining about technology that use technology to comment. 😆

1984

If trail cameras somehow improve your chances or make it not fair chase then we need to ban all modern hunting rifles and modern bows because I know for a fact it improves your chances using these weapons! The people crying about trail cameras being used are the same people who then cry that the government is telling them what they can or can’t do. Maybe no more government regulations and you use them if you want or don’t mind your business and be accountable for yourself.

Thank god, lets get rid of all of this technology and actually get out and hunt

I know our party of guys won't be back in Iowa to hunt. there are great deer in Ohio Wisconsin Mi. Ky Ind. 2 trips a year and thousands of dollars spent. I see iowa losing alot of money which results in less Dnr people in the field. without trail cameras 2 killers in Mi. would never have been caught. I'll spend my money in another state. no problem 4 or 5 less hours to drive means more weekend trips to closer states that will reap the money spent.

Will be on all public land before it's over, domino effect if they don't outlaw them period!!!!

Ban all of those fucking things everywhere.

Think about how idiots think the Drury clan are great hunters. Not even close. They have so many cameras out the deer can't even shit without being seen. They don't even think about going out to hunt a spot unless that buck has been showing up on that camera or cameras. It's become a total joke to hunt big bucks. It's all about the $$$$$$

Hunting over food, plots, and bait should be banned also

Wisconsin needs to ban cell cameras.

Ban all cams. It is cheating and unsportsman-like. Not fair chase!

Ban them all

Sorry guys, but to me this is great news.

Good. Hope minnesota is next learn woodsmanship skills. And get the gun season out of the rut. We don't need 5 gun seasons. Who makes these decision?. We don't have the herd numbers for it. Figure it out mn. Worst regulated state in the u.s.

THANK THE DEMOCRATS

I think Iowa will lose money but that’s what they want. It’s getting more and more rich man’s sport. I’ll just stop going to them states. Just another right they take from us. If people don’t start putting god first in their life. Just look at what’s happening in this world now. God bless y’all I’ll be praying for us all.

Ban the cameras

Good thang we don’t hunt to survive anymore thank the farmers o and most satellites can see you now days

All states should ban cams. These r not what hunting is about. Get rid of um and c who the real hunters r.

Hope it makes out of state hunters think twice to many guys coming in anyway Every year there is 140 150 deer killed truck loads

I can see both sides KINDA LOL but let's not get this TWISTED You can't just drop a cell camera or any camera anywhere and magically find or see Deer, You have to put a lot of time and effort to find scrapes, rubs, bedding areas etc To put that camera in the right place or it's waste of time PERIOD!