The first shotgun deer hunting season begins this Saturday, and there is a law change to make note of this year.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Officer Wes Gould explains the new hunting law, “The new main law we have is for pistol cartridges for use in a rifle during the shotgun deer seasons. You’ll be able to hunt deer during the youth/disabled hunter season and both shotgun seasons with rifles that are capable of shooting straight wall cartridges. This was a law enacted for lower recoil option for older and younger hunters mainly. It’s available for all hunters in the shotgun season.”

Gould notes that straight wall cartridges previously allowed for pistol hunting may now be used in long rifles. There is a list of acceptable calibers in the Iowa Hunting and Trapping Regulations found on the Iowa DNR website. Depending on the caliber, some straight wall cartridges will be effective up to 100 yards, but most will be effective to about 50 yards. The new law which was passed on April 13 requires individuals caught with a rifle capable of shooting ammunition not on the approved list while hunting deer to have their hunting privileges suspended for two years and receive a $250 fine. The first shotgun hunting deer season begins Saturday and ends December 6.