Founder of Central Iowa Paddlers, Robin Fortney, is concerned about the declining population of painted turtles, which is the most widespread native turtle of North America. According to Fortney, she used to see the reptile lined up on logs as she paddled down Iowa rivers, but in recent years, their population has declined.

As per state wildlife officials, they have proposed limits on wild turtles' capture. They said that the step has been taken after noticing an increase in harvest of painted, smooth and spiny softshell, and snapping turtles.

Turtle experts of the state said that the harvest of wild turtles in Iowa has increased about seven times from 1987 to 2013. In the same period, the number of license holders has increased by about four times. According to them, demand for meat of wild turtles has increased in Asia, as the population of the reptile has declined due to overharvest.

Collette Adkins, senior reptile and amphibian attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity said that demands are high in countries like Vietnam, China and Taiwan. Last month, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources proposed a plan to ban harvest of the four turtles from January to July. Currently, Governor Terry Branstad's team has been working on the proposal. If approved, the proposal will go to the Iowa Natural Resource Commission.

According to the reports, Iowa is among the 10 states that do not set limits on turtle harvest season. Biologists said that apart from harvesting, there are several other factors that are affecting population of turtles.

Joe Larscheid, the DNR's fisheries bureau chief, said, "In Iowa we live in an intensely used landscape. Ninety-five percent of our wetlands are gone. In what habitat is left, it's critical that they are allowed to lay their eggs". Polluted water is another concern in the state, as per the reports.