blake
Life Member
Iowabowhunters.org
Guys it is time to really get involved! Please read the following carefully them start contacting the appropriate individuals.
I can't believe that one or two people have the authority to set the course of this committee for their own agenda. <u>Every conservation group in this state should be up in arms with this latest decision. </u>
Y
ou can call me a politician, call me anything you want, but <u>when a Non-Resident Landowner is given more representation than 250,000 Iowa sportsmen it just WRONG. </u>
When you send emails to House Natural Resource Committee members, please ask the following questions to them.
1. Who is representing the Iowa deer hunters? In 2008, 69% of Iowans purchased a firearms deer license,that is well over 100,000 deer hunters that do not have a voice at the committee!
2. What about the muzzleloader hunters, why are they not being represented?
3. Where is Pheasant Forever, 83% of their leadership and members also deer hunt, who is representing them?
4. Why shouldn't the NWTF be at the table, most turkey hunters also hunt deer hunt, who is representing them?
5. Why does the Upland Bird Study Committee have two persons who hunt upland game birds, one who resides in northern Iowa and one who resides in southern Iowa? Are there any deer hunters on Deer Advisory Committee?
It appears that we have only minority players on this committee, what a travesty to leave off the majority groups. Is this the way this county is suppose to be run!
<span style="color: #FF0000">The above would bring to the table the real stakeholders of this state. </span>
The entire DNR Legislative update is attached. Below are two bills which are of
particular concern.
<span style='font-size: 14pt'>Senate</span>
<span style='font-size: 14pt'>SF 388--DNR Omnibus </span>
The DNR omnibus bill passed out of the Natural Resources Committee on Mar. 5. This bill covers a number of topics including snowmobiles and ORVs, liquidated damages for fish and bobcat, and commercial fish, turtle and roe licenses and reporting requirements. The Senate version includes a provision giving county boards of supervisors the authority to designate their roads for ATV use and requiring the DNR to pay for signage marking these roads. The amendment also struck the language giving DNR the authority to set nonresident anysex deer license numbers. <span style="color: #CC0000">Due to an error, it unintentionally struck the language allowing DNR to set the nonresident turkey license numbers, and this authority will be reinstated. </span>
<span style="color: #FF0000">Note-this legislation for nonresident turkey hunting provides the toe in the door to eventually garner the department the ability to set all nonresident quota's by DNR administrative rule, rather than let these contentious and significant matters be arbitrated by the Legislature as is currently the case. If this occurs, it will have a negative impact on access for resident Iowa hunters.
Senate File 338-Upland Game Advisory Committee; Extension of Deer Committee This bill establishes an upland game bird study advisory committee and reestablishes the deer study advisory committee.
The upland game bird study advisory committee would study restoration of a sustainable and socially acceptable population of pheasants and quail in the state to maximize the economic value of upland game bird hunting to Iowa's economy while balancing the needs of the agricultural industry. The committee is composed of members representing specified organizations, entities, and interests appointed by the governor, as well as the director of the department of natural resources, the secretary of agriculture, and the director of the department of economic development, or their designees. The committee membership also includes legislative staff members of United States Senators Harkin and Grassley or their designees, and four members of the general assembly. The committee is directed to review, analyze, and make recommendations on issues relating to the state's upland game bird population and submit a final report to the governor and the general assembly by January 10, 2010. This will provide opportunities. The next paragraph provides some concerns.
The deer study committee would continue meeting in its present form except that the Iowa restaurant association is no longer represented and representatives of professional guides and outfitters and friends of Iowa landowners and sportsmen are now included.
The Deer Study Committee appears to be undergoing changes that will load it in favor of groups that advocate for additional Non-Resident deer permits and represent paid hunting interests. It is worth noting that 85% of PF leaders taking the Survey at the Iowa PF Convention are deer hunters, and over half are having difficulty finding hunting access. Of those who lost access for hunting, over half cited losses to
Non-Resident Land Purchase, and 60% cited losses to Leased/Paid Hunting (resident land purchase was also a smaller concern). Deer hunting and non-resident numbers are a significant issue for resident deer hunters and also for those Iowa hunters that do not pursue deer, but who lose access due to the issues above that are principally related to deer. More conservation groups that advocate for average Iowa sportsmen deserve representation on this study committee to provide balance and fairness, particularly in light of the move to load the committee with paid hunting interests. </span>
<span style='font-size: 14pt'>United we can make a difference! Please join & Support the IBA </span>>>>>>Details<<<<<
PM
Ron Wyllie
Southwest Iowa IBA Area Representative
[email protected]