ElkHunter
Life Member
FOURTH WEEK IN REVIEW.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS GENERAL FUND BUDGET TARGETS. The H Republicans have increased the General Fund budget target or Ag & DNR by $1.234 mil. over the Governor’s recommendation. At this time, I am unsure what programs the additional money will be increased. REAP. I have also been informed that the H Republicans are moving REAP from the Environmental First Fund to the General Fund. The appropriation is to be included in what is called the “Standings” bill. REAP is what is termed as a standing appropriation in that the Iowa Code specifies $20 mil. each year.
AG & NATURAL RESOURCES BUDGET SUBCOM. This week the DNR presented their budget and reviewed of the Fish & Game Trust Fund. The DNR’s budget is the same as last year although $2 mil. for Floodplain Mgt was transferred from Infrastructure funding to the General Fund and Animal Ag Permitting was transferred from penalty fines to the General Fund. The Trust Fund carryover will be depleted by 2015 necessitating a license fee increase or a reduction in programs.
NATURAL RES, OUTDOOR REC …
HF 2003, TRESPASS - DEER ANTLERS. Makes it a simple misdemeanor to trespass with the intent of taking the shed antlers. Establishes a civil penalties for liquidated damages based on antler size. Allows for the discharge of the damages if antlers are returned. Requires damages be paid to the Fish & Game Protection Fund. HJ subcom-Massie, Pearson, M. Smith. No subcom action. Will delete for now.
HF2007, SF 2017, DEER RETRIEVAL. Allows for the use of leashed dogs to retrieve a wounded deer. Does not allow the hunter to be armed during the search. Requires permission before entering another’s private land. HNR subcom-Rayhons, Arnold, Wittneben. Passed SNRC. There was a concern expressed over the requirement that permission must be granted by the landowner because current law does not require permission to track a wounded animal.
HF 2026, SPECIAL NONRESIDENT DISABLED VETERAN HUNTING LICENSES. Requires the NRC to issue special hunting licenses, including for deer and turkey, for use by non-resident disabled veterans who are hunting in Iowa through a non-profit organization that helps such veterans hunt. License fees are to be the same as a resident. HVA subcom-Lukan, Chambers, Lofgren.
HF 2142, DEER BAG LIMITS/PARTY HUNTING/LATE MUZZLE-LOADER SEASON. Sets the bag limit of one deer per hunter during the regular gun and late muzzle-loader season. Allows party hunting during the late muzzleloader season. HNR subcom-Arnold, Van Engelenhoven, Wittneben.
HF 2143, FREE TURKEY LICENSES. Authorizes the free land owner/tenant wild turkey license issued to be valid for any wild turkey season. HNR subcom-Arnold, Hager, Hall.
HF 2151, FERAL SWINE & HUNTING SWINE. Prohibits owning feral swine, bringing feral swine into contact with other animals or transporting them in the state. Establishes civil penalties ($25,000 for a continuous violation). Allows a person to put non-feral swine on a hunting preserve and allows hunting of non-feral swine on a preserve. Requires that the released swine have been born and raised in captivity, have a health certificate and be approved by DALS. Allows DALS to order testing, vaccination, quarantine or slaughter of the hogs, with no liability to the state. HAGC.
HF 2197, SPECIAL ANTLERLESS DEER SEASON. Strikes the authority of the NRC to establish a special antlerless deer season. HNRC. Unlikely to be considered. Will delete.
HSB 564, PHEASANT SEASON & BAG LIMITS. Shortens the pheasant season to Dec 15. Reduces daily limits for cocks to 2 & the total bag limit to 8. HNR subcom-Arnold, Hager, Wittneben. Unlikely to be debated. Will delete.
SJR 2001, HJR 2001, LEAD SHOT RULE NULLIFICATION. Nullifies the NRC rule banning the use of lead shot during the mourning dove season. Passed the H, goes to the S.
SF 2045, VETERAN HUNTER SAFETY. Requires the DNR to issue a hunter safety certificate to a former or present active-duty member of the armed forces who has passed a weapons proficiency test. SV subcom-Black, Danielson, Greiner.
SF 2055, YOUTH CROSSBOW SEASON. Establishes a youth crossbow season for resident hunters 12-16 during the deer bow season. Requires the hunter to pay the normal fees and allows the hunter to get other licenses. SNRC. Will not be considered.
SF 2113 (formerly SSB 3058), MARKING DEER BLINDS. Allows the NRC to adopt rules requiring that man-made deer blinds and stands be marked with identification stickers with the hunting license number or name & address. Amended & passed SNRC. There were 4 no votes. There was concern that there was no exemption for IDs for landowner stands & a belief that it would not curtail poaching or putting up stands without permission.
SSB 3051, HUNTING & FISHING LICENSES. Establishes a 3-year fishing license at $51 including fish habitat and 3-year hunting license at $84 including the habitat fee. Establishes an annual hunting & fishing combination license at $60 including habitat fees plus a subscription to Iowa Outdoors. Allows a third fishing line for $10. SNR subcom-Dearden, Black, Hamerlinck. The subcom met & will amend the proposal to delete the free Iowa Outdoors subscription. There was also a request to change the fur takers license fee.
SSB 3059, DEER EAR TAGS. Requires the owners of farm whitetails to mark their deer with ear tags and keep records on the tagged whitetails. Requires DALS to make ear tags available at cost. Allows for the revocation of a fence certificate for a deer farm when it fails to follow ear tags rules. SNR subcom-Dearden, Black, Hahn.
SF 2068 BALD EAGLE PENALITIES. Establishes civil penalties of $1,500 for killing, injuring or possessing a bald eagle without a permit. SNR subcom-Dearden, Hahn, Ragan.