Hunting in Iowa: 4 Animals Designated Nongame, Endangered, Threatened, and Protected Species

Those who plan to go hunting in Iowa should know about species that are protected by statues and regulations that were put in place by the Iowa Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1975. Lists of species that are considered to be endangered, threatened, and of special concern are published on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website and the Iowa Gap Mammal List.

Here are four examples of species that are considered to be threated and endangered in Iowa:

1. Spotted Skunk
Spotted skunks prefer to live in areas that have a combination of grassland and trees with adequate areas of rock and coarse soil. Although these skunks prefer to make their dens in rocky areas, they are not against using corn cribs and old barns should the need arise. As the preferred habitats become increasingly hard to find, so does the existence of the spotted skunk.

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2. Short-Eared Owl
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), short-eared owls are among the mammals on the federal sensitive species list that are being displaced from preferable habitats. These owls need to have undisturbed open grassy lands without trees but with adequate brush and thickets for nesting. This animal is on the list of threatened animals in Iowa.

3. North American Least Shrew
The least shrew is one of the animals on the list of threatened species. It only grows to be up to 3 inches long, which makes it one of the smallest mammals in Iowa. Although the least shrew cannot see or hear well, their keen sense of smell and touch makes up for it when it comes time to feed. This shrew is found in weedy fields or forests.

4. Southern Bog Lemming
The Southern bog lemming is another animal that is found to have a threatened status. It is important for those hunting in Iowa to be aware of the presence of this creature in areas of tall grass prairies as this is the habitat of preference. The loss of wetlands and increased industrialization helps to make it hard for this creature to thrive.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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