Is it legal to hunt on the Trout Run Trail?

Recently, one of our readers was pretty mad.  He called us because he had been out on the Trout Run Trail the night before--and had run into someone dressed in camouflage and carrying a rifle.

Eventually, the reader calmed down enough to ask a great question: "Is it legal to hunt on the Trout Run Trail?"

First of all, it is NOT legal to hunt within Decorah city limits.  The city's ordinance states emphatically, "It is a misdemeanor to discharge rifles, shotguns, revolvers, pistols, guns or firearms of any kind within the city limits, except by authorization of the city council."

Some of Trout Run Trail is outside of Decorah city limits, of course, which means it's governed by Winneshiek County.  County Conservationist Barb Schroeder explains the county's rules: "The Trout Run Trail travels through the Trout Run Wildlife Management Area, an Iowa DNR game management area open to hunting, trapping, and fishing. There is no hunting allowed on the trail, but hunting is permitted on the posted DNR lands. It is recommended that trail users and hunters alike respect each others' right to recreate. We encourage hunters to err on the side of caution and have firearms unloaded and cased in a sleeve if traveling to the DNR area via the trail. Trail users should be aware of and respect hunting and trapping seasons. Though dogs should be leashed at all times on the trail, it is especially important that they are leashed during hunting and trapping season."

For more information, Iowa hunting and trapping seasons and regulations can be found at: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/HuntingLicensesLaws.aspx while a map of the Trout Run Wildlife Management Area and its boundaries can be accessed at http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/wildlife/wmamaps/trout_run.pdf?amp;tabid=1224.