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Letter to the Editor

blake

Life Member
I read this recent editorial in todays paper. This is undoubtedly the same way that most of the non hunting public thinks about the deer population.

Unfortunately IMO they aren't seeing the whole picture. This is another good reason to start contacting those state legislators and let them know how you feel. You can bet that that non hunting public will be talking to the state reps. See what you think.

Iowans burdened enough by deer

I could not believe I heard the radio news correctly, so I continued to listen until they repeated it. The gist of it was that the Iowa Legislature is considering allowing insurance companies to raise rates on car insurance to cover car-deer accidents.

The lawmakers would make Iowans pay for the Legislature's error of not allowing more out-of-state hunters and/or increase the bag limit to a number that would effectively control the numbers of deer.

Those hunters who would come here would help our economy with the dollars spent on food and lodging and whatever else they might buy.

Our resident hunters supposedly do not want them to come here because some farmers lease hunting rights to them and therefore locals are denied access to that land. Local hunters could end up paying for what has been free. Those farmers who do lease their land at least have that money to help pay for the damage the deer do to their crops.

I do not feel Iowans should have to pay more for car insurance, have the injuries and expenses resulting from car-deer accidents and the other losses to crops, gardens and lawns as the result of ever-increasing deer numbers. We elect the legislators to take care of problems such as these and it appears that some of them have lost sight of that.

A Gentleman from Corydon submitted this, I will leave his name off the post.
 
I received the following email about a legislative reception from my local Pheasants Forever chapter president. This meeting sounds like alot of the issues that are discussed about on this site. Should be a good way to meet some of our legislators face to face and discuss these topics.


PF Chapters -- See the notice below of the PF/ICA Legislative Reception to
be held on Tuesday February 1 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Quality Inn Suites
in Des Moines. WE NEED YOU THERE. There are several issues that need
to be discussed with your legislator by your chapter's leadership--and this
is a great place to do it.
We urge you to call your Legislator (House 515-281-3221 / Senate
515-281-3371) and TELL them that you will be coming to the Reception and
that you want to talk to them there. THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS THAT WILL
AFFECT YOUR FUTURE HUNTING (and your kids/grandkids hunting as well) --
PLEASE ATTEND.
1. Assured and Stable Funding for Natural Resources in Iowa (funding for
fish and wildlife, water quality, soil conservation, air quality, and other
resources). What does this mean? There are no bills for this in the
Legislature at the present time and getting something accomplished this
session is unlikely. However, we need to plant the seed now to have some
success in the future. Proposals mostly revolve around Missouri-style
funding from a proportion of existing or proposed increases in the state
sales tax--generating from $60--$100 Million to be split among the needs
above through DNR , IDALS , etc .
2. Deer Issues. THIS AFFECTS YOU!!! The DNR has asked once again for
an increase of Nonresident Anysex Permits (up 2000), but private interests
are asking for much more (Farm Bureau supports NO RESTRICTIONS on
Nonresidents), and one Legislator has proposed to double the current number
of Anysex permits from 6000 to 12000. THIS AFFECTS YOU!!! Our data from
last year indicated that the average PF respondent had lost an average of
nearly 1200 acres of private land hunting opportunity--much of it to
nonresident leasing and purchase. PF's position on NonResident ANYSEX
permits remains the same as last year--NO INCREASE. PF agrees with the
ICA's position to remove the cap on Nonresident ANTLERLESS permits. We
would like you there to drive those points home with your legislators.
Please attend, because THIS AFFECTS YOU!!!
PHEASANTS FOREVER
AND THE
IOWA CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
INVITE YOUR CHAPTER TO
A LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION
An Opportunity to Discuss Important
Natural Resource Issues with Your Legislator
TUESDAY, FEB. 1, 2005 / 6pm to 8pm (come early)
QUALITY INN & SUITES
(Formerly The Best Western Starlight Village)
929 3RD STREET, DES MOINES, IOWA
Just North And East Of Veterans Auditorium
and Right Next to the New Iowa Events Center
on The South Side Of I-235 Adjacent to the Freeway
FEATURING
Hors D'oeuvres and Refreshments
Special muzzleloader raffle to be won by a chapter of one of the
conservation groups
belonging to the ICA—you must attend to win.
IOWA CONSERVATION ALLIANCE MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
Pheasants Forever, Inc.--- Iowa B.A.S.S.--- Izaak Walton League of
America, Iowa Division--- National Wild Turkey Federation, Iowa Chapter---
East Central Iowa Fur Takers of America--- Safari Club International, Iowa
Chapter--- Iowa Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild
Sheep---Iowa State Coon Hunters Association---Iowa Trappers Association---
Huntmasters Club--- Ducks Unlimited---- North Bear Trout Unlimited---
Riverton Duck Club--- Whitetails Unlimited--- Ruffed Grouse Society of
America, Iowa Chapter--- Upper Great Plains Chapter of Muskies, Inc., and
more.
Significant Issues this Legislative Session are Stable Natural Resources
Funding (portion of sales tax or other mechanism) and Deer, Deer, & more
Deer.
PF Chapters should attend to assist in discussing these important issues .
PLEASE BE THERE BY 5:30 PM, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
BE SURE TO CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS TO LET THEM KNOW YOU WILL BE THERE.
 
People, this is where the rubber meets the road. If you really want to make a difference this is how you do it. Contacting your representatives and letting them know you'd like them to attend and that you'd like to speak to them will make a big difference. Even if they don't show they know they have constituents who care about these issues.

My understanding is that if you are a member of one of the groups in the ICA you are invited to this event. If you aren't a member join one! Would you be surprised if I told you that I am a member of at least 8 of these great groups?

Join. Contact your legislators. Show up Feb. 1. Make a difference!

See you there,
grin.gif

Old Buck
 
Old Buck, you are correct. If you are a member of any of the above mentioned groups you are in. Although i can't see them not letting in any tax paying and hunting/fishing license buying patron. But you are also right in that if you are not a member of one of these great groups join one if at all possible. Especially in this day and age of political controlled hunting.
 
Does anyone know if the IBA is associated with this group? I can't find anything on either web site. I need to make a pilgrimage to Northern Hydraulics and Feb. 1st would be good. I also hear that Harbor Freight has a store in DSM. And to top it off a stop at CIA......the wife better be ready when I get home (insert Tim Allen's pig/ape noise here).

The 'Bonker
 
Bonker - Yes we are affiliated with them, but we are not listed as a member. As you can see there are a great deal of groups that are. When we need to take some action right away, we dont have to wait for a big group vote that can take a little bit of time. This way we can get done what needs to be done ASAP! We are in constant communication with them, and meet with them frequently. Hope this kind of makes sense. And yes we will be there on the 1st.
 
ROADY! Gee, I wonder what I should wear? Do I get to show my new yellow card? I'll post in PMA why I need to go to Northern Hydraulics. Might not get it said tonight but look tomorrow for sure.

Thanks for the info.

The 'Bonker
 
Bonker,
The IBA is part of the group,but have never joined officially. There have been times when we needed to move quickly on a piece of legislation and didn't want to wait for the whole group to decide what to do. We are invited to all the meetings and will be there Feb 1st. We co sponsored last year and picked up 1/2 the tab. We are solidly behind all the ICA proposals. Some times it's just better to be able to move quickly. Chad and I will both be there.
 
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