ElkHunter
Life Member
Have included the forward to help understand what is taking place.
Black- Houser Proposal
Many bills have and will be introduced in both the House and Senate. Co-chairs Black and Houser have agreed to do one bill, and one only, in the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Representative Freeman will also use this model for discussion in the HNRC.
On Thursday of last week a meeting was held with a variety of interest groups, i.e. Farm Bureau, DNR, insurance industry, sport-hunting groups, etc., and many issues were combined into one bill. That has been submitted to the Service Bureau, and a rough draft has been presented to Sen. Black to review. Sen. Houser is absent for the week, so Black will wait until he returns for final discussions with the Service Bureau.
In view of the fact our colleagues have been receiving many e-mails, phone calls and letters, it is important all receive the basic thrust of the legislation.
1. Landowner Licenses. Landowners or tenants (but not both) of ten-acres minimum will receive two free permits, comprised of one either-sex, and one antlerless. They would be allowed to select the season in which they desire to hunt, and would be able to harvest a deer in two separate seasons, if they so choose. (These are for residents not nonresidents)
2. Harvest Reporting. The bill will call for a “user friendly†method of reporting by deer hunters and be implemented with rules developed by DNR. Information received from hunters by DNR would be used in their wildlife management programs. Info desired would logically be if a kill occurred; sex of animal; location of kill, etc. Only basic info would be desired.
3. Expanded Depredation Permitting. DNR currently has Administrative Rules that relate to personnel of the Department conferring with affected landowners regarding depredation of crops, trees, horticulture, etc. Agreement is reached, and permits are issued by DNR, free of charge, to the landowner to reduce the number of antlerless deer within the landowner’s area of jurisdiction. An independent decision was made by the previous Wildlife Division Administrator to NOT implement these rules. Rather than codify these rules, this bill will include the following statement: “It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Department of Natural Resources follow and enforce deer depredation Administrative Rules promulgated under Chapter 106.â€
4. Special Hunts. DNR would be empowered by statute to have special hunts in those counties where the prior established quotas of permits had not been sold during the regular season.
5. Nonresident Permits. Current either-sex, nonresident deer permits number 6,000 with all being sold. Price is $308 each, comprised of $220 for the deer tag, $80 for the game license and $8 for habitat fee. Current law allows DNR to sell a maximum of 2,500 antlerless permits, for $238each.
Proposal: Non-resident hunters would pay $320 for a permit that would contain two tags, one either-sex and one antlerless. A nonresident would also be required to have a nonresident hunting license ($100) and pay the habitat fee ($8).
The antlerless cap of 2,500 would be lifted, allowing the DNR to establish the number of nonresident permits to be sold at $150 each. A non-resident purchasing an antlerless tag must also have a nonresident hunting license ($100) and pay the habitat fee ($8).
Nearly all 2,500 antlerless, nonresident permits were sold in 2004.
NOTE: Every deer permit sold in the state, including those provided to landowners free-of-charge or provided as depredation permits will include a $1 surcharge for HUSH. This would raise $350,000 to be placed in the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund and be maintained by separate accounting. These funds would be utilized for implementing HUSH statewide. Currently HUSH is not statewide. This revenue would be utilized to compensate small-town meat processors who have deer delivered to them by hunters for distribution to prisons, pantries, shelters, etc.
Related Information:
1. In 2004, there were 340,224 resident deer permits sold and issued.
2. In 2004, there were 8,479 non-resident deer permits sold (6,000 either-sex and 2,479 antlerless).
3. In 2004, there were 66,648 free landowner deer permits issued (no minimum acreage).
4. Free landowner permits have doubled in three years. This system is being abused, and thus the proposed ten-acre minimum.
List of House Bills
HSB 92, DNR OMNIBUS. Strikes the DNR requirement to submit a report every 5 years on the classification of parks, recreation areas and preserves. Allows the DNR Director to execute property leases for 5 years or less with Commission approval. Requires leases in excess of 5 years be advertised. Requires use of cut-off switches for personal watercraft. Requires assistance and identification exchange when a vessel is involved in an boating accident. Requires a report for boat damage of over $2000 or injury. Requires life jackets for those under 13 years except certain circumstances. Prohibits hunting and fishing privileges until all fines have been paid. Amends date for a required hunter safety certification to those born after 1.1.1972. HNR subcom-Freeman, May, Van Engelenhoven, Bell, Lykam.
SF 2, LANDOWNER HUNTING. Allows a resident farm unit owner who rents the entire farm unit to a tenant who is responsible for all farm operations to hunt, trap, or fish on the farm unit without a license and to obtain special free wild turkey and deer licenses to hunt on the farm unit. SNRC. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 16, NONRESIDENT HUNTING LICENSES. Increases to nonresident turkey licenses from 2,500 to 3,500. Increases nonresident any sex deer licenses 6,000 to 12,000 (not more than 35% can be for the bow season) and an additional 2,500 antlerless licenses. Gives nonresident landowners preference for antlerless only deer hunting licenses if unsuccessful in obtaining a any sex license. Requires landowners or tenants who charge fees to hunt to prepare a DNR approved deer management plan - licensed hunting preserves are exempted. HNR subcom-Arnold, Davitt, Rayhons. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 31, DEER HUNTING FEE. Raises the resident deer license by $5, which would go to the HUSH (help us stop hunger). It also allows a hunter to take an any sex and an antlerless deer on the $30 fee. DNR may object due to the loss of income for the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund, their operations money. HNR subcom-Baudler, Rayhons, Whitaker. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 116, SENIOR DEER HUNTERS. Allows Iowa citizens over 70 to purchase one any sex deer hunting license to hunt during a special senior deer hunt (which is to be held during the youth and disabled special season). Allows purchase of additional tags. HNR subcom-Van Engelenhoven, Whitead, Wilderdyke. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 142, LANDOWNER DEER LICENSE. Allows a landowner or family member or tenant or tenant family member to purchase an unlimited number of antlerless deer licenses valid on that farm for $10. HNRC. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 159, HUNTING LICENSES. Increases to 3,300 the number of non-resident turkey hunting licenses. Increases non-resident any sex deer licenses to 8,000. Directs that non-resident deer licenses be issued 2 tags, one for antlerless deer before the second tag is used. Requires certain non-resident deer hunters pay $50 for the Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH) program in addition to license fees. Requires hunting guides and outfitters be registered, except for hunting preserves. Requires landowners who charge persons to hunt to prepare a deer population management. HNR subcom-Baudler, Arnold, Whitaker. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF, 165 DEER LICENSES. Requires the creation of a special one-day deer hunt for Iowans 16 or older with permanent physical disabilities. The license is free. HNR subcom-Arnold, D. Taylor, Upmeyer. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 180, LANDOWNER HUNTING LICENSES. Allows free landowner deer and turkey hunting licenses to be used for any one of the deer or turkey hunting seasons. HNRC. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 199, WILD ANIMAL POSSESSION. If a person buys or sells a wild animal or animal part without knowledge the animal was taken illegally without a prior similar offense, the DNR is to notify the person of the violation and may require that person reimburse the value of the animal in lieu of prosecution. If the person commits a second offense within 1 year, the person will be prosecuted for the first and subsequent offense. HNRC.
HF 5, LANDOWNER HUNTING LICENSES. Allows landowners or the tenant or a member of their family to obtain one free any-sex deer license, one free antlerless deer license and one free wild turkey license for a farm unit. Allows for a free second license if the DNR establishes a deer season in the first quarter of the calendar year if it is separate from the season occurring in the last quarter of the previous year. Redefines a farm unit as 10 acres or more. HNR subcom-Rayhons, Arnold, Whitaker. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
Sorry for the long post, this is where legislation stood as of this morning.
Black- Houser Proposal
Many bills have and will be introduced in both the House and Senate. Co-chairs Black and Houser have agreed to do one bill, and one only, in the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Representative Freeman will also use this model for discussion in the HNRC.
On Thursday of last week a meeting was held with a variety of interest groups, i.e. Farm Bureau, DNR, insurance industry, sport-hunting groups, etc., and many issues were combined into one bill. That has been submitted to the Service Bureau, and a rough draft has been presented to Sen. Black to review. Sen. Houser is absent for the week, so Black will wait until he returns for final discussions with the Service Bureau.
In view of the fact our colleagues have been receiving many e-mails, phone calls and letters, it is important all receive the basic thrust of the legislation.
1. Landowner Licenses. Landowners or tenants (but not both) of ten-acres minimum will receive two free permits, comprised of one either-sex, and one antlerless. They would be allowed to select the season in which they desire to hunt, and would be able to harvest a deer in two separate seasons, if they so choose. (These are for residents not nonresidents)
2. Harvest Reporting. The bill will call for a “user friendly†method of reporting by deer hunters and be implemented with rules developed by DNR. Information received from hunters by DNR would be used in their wildlife management programs. Info desired would logically be if a kill occurred; sex of animal; location of kill, etc. Only basic info would be desired.
3. Expanded Depredation Permitting. DNR currently has Administrative Rules that relate to personnel of the Department conferring with affected landowners regarding depredation of crops, trees, horticulture, etc. Agreement is reached, and permits are issued by DNR, free of charge, to the landowner to reduce the number of antlerless deer within the landowner’s area of jurisdiction. An independent decision was made by the previous Wildlife Division Administrator to NOT implement these rules. Rather than codify these rules, this bill will include the following statement: “It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Department of Natural Resources follow and enforce deer depredation Administrative Rules promulgated under Chapter 106.â€
4. Special Hunts. DNR would be empowered by statute to have special hunts in those counties where the prior established quotas of permits had not been sold during the regular season.
5. Nonresident Permits. Current either-sex, nonresident deer permits number 6,000 with all being sold. Price is $308 each, comprised of $220 for the deer tag, $80 for the game license and $8 for habitat fee. Current law allows DNR to sell a maximum of 2,500 antlerless permits, for $238each.
Proposal: Non-resident hunters would pay $320 for a permit that would contain two tags, one either-sex and one antlerless. A nonresident would also be required to have a nonresident hunting license ($100) and pay the habitat fee ($8).
The antlerless cap of 2,500 would be lifted, allowing the DNR to establish the number of nonresident permits to be sold at $150 each. A non-resident purchasing an antlerless tag must also have a nonresident hunting license ($100) and pay the habitat fee ($8).
Nearly all 2,500 antlerless, nonresident permits were sold in 2004.
NOTE: Every deer permit sold in the state, including those provided to landowners free-of-charge or provided as depredation permits will include a $1 surcharge for HUSH. This would raise $350,000 to be placed in the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund and be maintained by separate accounting. These funds would be utilized for implementing HUSH statewide. Currently HUSH is not statewide. This revenue would be utilized to compensate small-town meat processors who have deer delivered to them by hunters for distribution to prisons, pantries, shelters, etc.
Related Information:
1. In 2004, there were 340,224 resident deer permits sold and issued.
2. In 2004, there were 8,479 non-resident deer permits sold (6,000 either-sex and 2,479 antlerless).
3. In 2004, there were 66,648 free landowner deer permits issued (no minimum acreage).
4. Free landowner permits have doubled in three years. This system is being abused, and thus the proposed ten-acre minimum.
List of House Bills
HSB 92, DNR OMNIBUS. Strikes the DNR requirement to submit a report every 5 years on the classification of parks, recreation areas and preserves. Allows the DNR Director to execute property leases for 5 years or less with Commission approval. Requires leases in excess of 5 years be advertised. Requires use of cut-off switches for personal watercraft. Requires assistance and identification exchange when a vessel is involved in an boating accident. Requires a report for boat damage of over $2000 or injury. Requires life jackets for those under 13 years except certain circumstances. Prohibits hunting and fishing privileges until all fines have been paid. Amends date for a required hunter safety certification to those born after 1.1.1972. HNR subcom-Freeman, May, Van Engelenhoven, Bell, Lykam.
SF 2, LANDOWNER HUNTING. Allows a resident farm unit owner who rents the entire farm unit to a tenant who is responsible for all farm operations to hunt, trap, or fish on the farm unit without a license and to obtain special free wild turkey and deer licenses to hunt on the farm unit. SNRC. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 16, NONRESIDENT HUNTING LICENSES. Increases to nonresident turkey licenses from 2,500 to 3,500. Increases nonresident any sex deer licenses 6,000 to 12,000 (not more than 35% can be for the bow season) and an additional 2,500 antlerless licenses. Gives nonresident landowners preference for antlerless only deer hunting licenses if unsuccessful in obtaining a any sex license. Requires landowners or tenants who charge fees to hunt to prepare a DNR approved deer management plan - licensed hunting preserves are exempted. HNR subcom-Arnold, Davitt, Rayhons. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 31, DEER HUNTING FEE. Raises the resident deer license by $5, which would go to the HUSH (help us stop hunger). It also allows a hunter to take an any sex and an antlerless deer on the $30 fee. DNR may object due to the loss of income for the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund, their operations money. HNR subcom-Baudler, Rayhons, Whitaker. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 116, SENIOR DEER HUNTERS. Allows Iowa citizens over 70 to purchase one any sex deer hunting license to hunt during a special senior deer hunt (which is to be held during the youth and disabled special season). Allows purchase of additional tags. HNR subcom-Van Engelenhoven, Whitead, Wilderdyke. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 142, LANDOWNER DEER LICENSE. Allows a landowner or family member or tenant or tenant family member to purchase an unlimited number of antlerless deer licenses valid on that farm for $10. HNRC. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 159, HUNTING LICENSES. Increases to 3,300 the number of non-resident turkey hunting licenses. Increases non-resident any sex deer licenses to 8,000. Directs that non-resident deer licenses be issued 2 tags, one for antlerless deer before the second tag is used. Requires certain non-resident deer hunters pay $50 for the Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH) program in addition to license fees. Requires hunting guides and outfitters be registered, except for hunting preserves. Requires landowners who charge persons to hunt to prepare a deer population management. HNR subcom-Baudler, Arnold, Whitaker. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF, 165 DEER LICENSES. Requires the creation of a special one-day deer hunt for Iowans 16 or older with permanent physical disabilities. The license is free. HNR subcom-Arnold, D. Taylor, Upmeyer. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 180, LANDOWNER HUNTING LICENSES. Allows free landowner deer and turkey hunting licenses to be used for any one of the deer or turkey hunting seasons. HNRC. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
HF 199, WILD ANIMAL POSSESSION. If a person buys or sells a wild animal or animal part without knowledge the animal was taken illegally without a prior similar offense, the DNR is to notify the person of the violation and may require that person reimburse the value of the animal in lieu of prosecution. If the person commits a second offense within 1 year, the person will be prosecuted for the first and subsequent offense. HNRC.
HF 5, LANDOWNER HUNTING LICENSES. Allows landowners or the tenant or a member of their family to obtain one free any-sex deer license, one free antlerless deer license and one free wild turkey license for a farm unit. Allows for a free second license if the DNR establishes a deer season in the first quarter of the calendar year if it is separate from the season occurring in the last quarter of the previous year. Redefines a farm unit as 10 acres or more. HNR subcom-Rayhons, Arnold, Whitaker. This bill, if addressed, will be included SNRC & HNRC bill outlined previously. Will Delete.
Sorry for the long post, this is where legislation stood as of this morning.