Rembrandt
I guess I'd like to see a more detailed explanation on several of the statements you made above.
"My issue with the DNR is their poor enforcement of game laws..."
Do you have specific cases you're referring to or just your overall opinion? Do you mean there aren't enough conservation officers to adequately cover the state or the current ones aren't doing their job by enforcing the law?
"I'd like to see more aggressive enforcement before we start handing out more tags."
Define "aggressive enforcement". We can only enforce what we see or, in the case of a TIP call, what someone else has witnessed.
"One solution would be to 'deputize' other enforcement agencies during the hunting season."
Going by that statement I'll make an assumption (sometimes a dangereous proposition) and say you don't have a law enforcement background. Sheriff's deputies and Iowa State Patrol troopers can and do enforce our fish and game laws--some individual officers more than others--with much of that to do with where they reside (urban vs. rural), even though that is not their main law enforcement emphasis. We (Conservation Officer) can enforce 321 code violations (motor vehicle--speeding, no driver's license, etc.) but don't do it to the extent the other enforcement agencies do.
Their are times Conservation Officers feel frustrated with not enough time in the day to do what they want to do, especially during the fall hunting seasons. You want to be out during the day to check pheasant hunters, but you also want to work at night to check trappers and work spotlighters. You have to make your choice.
Then there is working with the plane. Our night work more than not involves working in conjunction with the ISP plane looking for spotlighters. This night activity covers several counties and quite a few officers. Many times the evening work will last close to eight hours by itself--with the hours dependent on how far away you are working.
There were several evenings I worked the Carroll County area (I live in Council Bluffs/Pottawattamie Cty). Where I sit is close to a two hour one-way drive for me. One evening we ended up with a 50 mile long chase on a spotlighter. I got home that "day" at 6 AM (after getting up at 8 AM). Then after a long four hour nap I was up and going again because we were working a decoy near the Missouri line that Sunday morning.
Are there enough Conservation Officers to adequately patrol during the fall months--no. But I wouldn't call that "poor enforcement of game laws". We need the eyes and ears of the public (both hunting and non-hunting) to assist us. But---every year COs get calls about some illegal activity that is days and weeks after the action occurred. It sure would be nice to get it in a more timely fashion.
Then there are the instances when someone tells us about an illegal activity but won't give up the name because it is someone they work with, hunt with, are relation to, etc. Point blank, if they don't report it they are just as guilty as the person doing the illegal act. And if they can't give a name, please don't call and waste my time.
As far as money for new (or more COs) that is controlled by the legislature. Don't blame the DNR for that. Initially money from NR deer and turkey licenses were to go for hiring more COs but after a few years the legislature changed that.
I guess that is enough venting on my part. As I said at the beginning I'd like to hear your explanations.
Doug Clayton
State Conservation Officer
