ElkHunter
Life Member
FB puts a positive spin on the fact that the Gov will cut the tag reduction in half. I believe hunters can do the same spin. While this isn't what the DNR and the hunting community asked for or wanted, it is a step in the right direction. At least the Gov. knows we won't go away and we have been heard.
Thanks to all that made the phone calls and sent the emails. The Natural Resource Commission is meeting as I type this. I have listed the proposed amendments below the FB Press release.
You have until May 23rd to give the NRC your comments.
Branstad cuts DNR recommendation on deer harvest
4/9/2012 8:40:47 AM
Dirck Steimel
1. Close the November antlerless season;
2. Remove four counties from the January antlerless season and reduce the length of the January season by one week;
3. Restrict hunters who purchase one of the 7,500 paid any-sex early muzzleloader licenses from also purchasing a paid antlerless license during either the first or second regular gun season;
4. Specify changes in quota numbers in 21 counties for antlerless deer licenses.
These changes are being proposed for the following reasons:
1. In 2005, the November season was added and the January antlerless season was lengthened in an attempt to reduce deer numbers, but these changes are no longer needed to reach the Department of Natural Resources’ (Department’s) objectives for the deer population. Thus, the November season is being removed and the January season is being shortened by one week.
2. In 2011 the 7,500 quota for the muzzleloader season filled in less than four days. Restricting hunters who obtain an early muzzleloader season from also obtaining an antlerless license for the shotgun season will make hunters choose which season they prefer. In 2004 and before, hunters had to choose which season to participate in and the muzzleloader season took three weeks or longer to fill. Thus, the proposed change will allow those hunters who prefer to hunt only during the muzzleloader season a better opportunity to do so.
3. The reduction proposed is 13,000 but 5,000 of those went unissued in 2011. The changes to the antlerless quotas are designed to stabilize deer numbers in 20 counties where deer numbers have been reduced to the Department’s goals and to increase the kill in one county so that deer numbers are reduced to the Department’s goals more quickly there.
Thanks to all that made the phone calls and sent the emails. The Natural Resource Commission is meeting as I type this. I have listed the proposed amendments below the FB Press release.
You have until May 23rd to give the NRC your comments.
Branstad cuts DNR recommendation on deer harvest
4/9/2012 8:40:47 AM
Dirck Steimel
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has recommended that the number of 2012-13 Iowa antlerless deer hunting tags be reduced by 13,000 for the hunting season, half of the reduction in licenses proposed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The DNR’s Natural Resources Commission is scheduled to discuss the governor’s proposal this week, as it makes its preliminary recommendation for the upcoming deer season. The commission will accept comments on the recommendation from the public until May 23.
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and other groups had asked Branstad to reject the DNR’s proposal to reduce the number of tags by almost 26,000. The department said the reduction in antlerless deer licenses was to stabilize herd numbers in 20 eastern Iowa counties.
But Farm Bureau and others in the coalition remain concerned about the size of the deer herd. They argued that a reduction of antlerless licenses in the upcoming harvest could lead to increased damage of Iowa’s field and horticultural crops as well as an increase in the potential for vehicle-deer accidents.
Concern about damage
In addition, the groups say the DNR has not followed through with recommendations of a 2009 deer advisory committee that recommended that the agency conduct more frequent surveys of farmers and the public, not just hunters, about management of the state’s deer herd.
"We are glad that Governor Branstad listened to our members’ concerns about the DNR plan to significantly reduce the number of antlerless deer tags," said Rick Robinson, IFBF environmental policy advisor. "Members who are concerned about deer damage can continue to express their concerns to the Natural Resources Commission."
As a result of the Governor’s action, the number of antlerless deer tags available in the 10 counties that were to receive the greatest reductions from last year, will see 8,650 more tags available this season than would have otherwise been available under the DNR original proposal.
Members can comment on the deer harvest proposal by e-mailing the DNR at wildlife@dnr.iowa.gov
Robinson noted that surveys of Farm Bureau members show that almost two-thirds have suffered crop damage from deer and half say the damage was unacceptable and that the deer herd is still too large. In addition, the coalition also said the DNR should factor in the impact to motorists safety, including injuries, damages and loss of future income when setting deer harvest limits.
The proposed amendments do the following: The DNR’s Natural Resources Commission is scheduled to discuss the governor’s proposal this week, as it makes its preliminary recommendation for the upcoming deer season. The commission will accept comments on the recommendation from the public until May 23.
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and other groups had asked Branstad to reject the DNR’s proposal to reduce the number of tags by almost 26,000. The department said the reduction in antlerless deer licenses was to stabilize herd numbers in 20 eastern Iowa counties.
But Farm Bureau and others in the coalition remain concerned about the size of the deer herd. They argued that a reduction of antlerless licenses in the upcoming harvest could lead to increased damage of Iowa’s field and horticultural crops as well as an increase in the potential for vehicle-deer accidents.
Concern about damage
In addition, the groups say the DNR has not followed through with recommendations of a 2009 deer advisory committee that recommended that the agency conduct more frequent surveys of farmers and the public, not just hunters, about management of the state’s deer herd.
"We are glad that Governor Branstad listened to our members’ concerns about the DNR plan to significantly reduce the number of antlerless deer tags," said Rick Robinson, IFBF environmental policy advisor. "Members who are concerned about deer damage can continue to express their concerns to the Natural Resources Commission."
As a result of the Governor’s action, the number of antlerless deer tags available in the 10 counties that were to receive the greatest reductions from last year, will see 8,650 more tags available this season than would have otherwise been available under the DNR original proposal.
Members can comment on the deer harvest proposal by e-mailing the DNR at wildlife@dnr.iowa.gov
Robinson noted that surveys of Farm Bureau members show that almost two-thirds have suffered crop damage from deer and half say the damage was unacceptable and that the deer herd is still too large. In addition, the coalition also said the DNR should factor in the impact to motorists safety, including injuries, damages and loss of future income when setting deer harvest limits.
1. Close the November antlerless season;
2. Remove four counties from the January antlerless season and reduce the length of the January season by one week;
3. Restrict hunters who purchase one of the 7,500 paid any-sex early muzzleloader licenses from also purchasing a paid antlerless license during either the first or second regular gun season;
4. Specify changes in quota numbers in 21 counties for antlerless deer licenses.
These changes are being proposed for the following reasons:
1. In 2005, the November season was added and the January antlerless season was lengthened in an attempt to reduce deer numbers, but these changes are no longer needed to reach the Department of Natural Resources’ (Department’s) objectives for the deer population. Thus, the November season is being removed and the January season is being shortened by one week.
2. In 2011 the 7,500 quota for the muzzleloader season filled in less than four days. Restricting hunters who obtain an early muzzleloader season from also obtaining an antlerless license for the shotgun season will make hunters choose which season they prefer. In 2004 and before, hunters had to choose which season to participate in and the muzzleloader season took three weeks or longer to fill. Thus, the proposed change will allow those hunters who prefer to hunt only during the muzzleloader season a better opportunity to do so.
3. The reduction proposed is 13,000 but 5,000 of those went unissued in 2011. The changes to the antlerless quotas are designed to stabilize deer numbers in 20 counties where deer numbers have been reduced to the Department’s goals and to increase the kill in one county so that deer numbers are reduced to the Department’s goals more quickly there.
