It is not up to the discretion of any individual DNR officer to make the determination. The answers to both questions is spelled out in either the deer/turkey application booklet on page 12 (landowner/tenant licences) or the hunting, fishing and trapping regulation booklet (spotlighting) on page 11.
Landowner/tenant licences
Iowa residents who are owners or tenants of a farm unit, or a family member of an owner or tenant that lives with them, are eligible for a free deer and a free fall turkey hunting license.
"Family member" means a resident of Iowa who is the spouse or child of the owner or tenatn and who resides with the owner or tenant.
"Farm unit" means all parcels of land, not necessarily contiguous, which are operated as a unit for agricultural purposes and are under the lawful control of the owner or tenant, regardless of how that land is subdivided for agricultural or business purposes. An owner cannot receive a free license on one parcel of land and a family member on another, even if the parcels are separate business operations.
It goes into more detail. Just get a copy and read everything on page 12.
Spotlighting
You can't cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight or other artificial light on a highway or in a field, woodland or forest for the purpose of spotting, locating, taking or attempting to take or hunt a bird or animal, while having in possession or control, either singly or as one of a group of persons, any firearm, bow or other device capable of killing or taking a bird or animal. This rule does not apply to hunting raccoons or other furbearing animals when they are treed with the aid of dogs.
Doug Clayton
State Conservation Officer
