The IBA Legislative Committee has put together a list important people that we must contact this legislative session. It's critical that they hear from the hunting community about current legislation and our concerns with the downward trend of the deer herd.

We need more than bowhunters to get involved. Please forward this to all of your friends. It doesn't matter if they are gun deer hunters, fur trappers, fishermen or upland bird hunters. We are all in this together.

 

1. As issues arise that require the attention of many of us, or if you simply have a personal concern, please contact your legislator, make a phone call and write an email. Most legislators have informal meetings in their home town. Please take the time to sit in on one of these meetings. Get to know your elected officials on a first name basis. As always be polite and respectful. They are just like us, hardworking people trying to do a tough job. Most of them are not hunters. They need help understanding why or how hunting impacts our state. It is up to us to help them “get it”.

2. Contact members of the Natural Resource Committees, they have the final word as to which legislation goes to the house and senate floor for consideration.

3. Contact the Governor’s office. The Governor elected not to follow the DNR's recommendations that antlerless tags be cut in many counties. It's time that wildlife management practices are left up to the professionals not special interest groups.

4. Couple quick facts to use.

A. At the end of late ML season harvest numbers are down 5% compared to last year. Number of tags sold is almost identical to last year.

B. Currently the data indicates the projected statewide postseason deer population for 2012 (May population) will be over 30% lower (31%) than it was in 2006.

 

The link below will take you to list of all legislators

http://www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/legislators.do?&ga=84

The link below will help you find your legislators

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/Legislators/find.aspx

The link below will let you leave comments at Governors office

https://governor.iowa.gov/constituent-services/register-opinion

 

Phone number below will let you contact Governors office. Please be very polite and respectful, we are trying to get our point across, not alienate anyone.

515-725-3520

 

The people below make up natural resource committee, all legislation pertaining to hunting & fishing will go through them.

Senate Natural Resources and Environment

· Dick L. Dearden (D, District 34), Chair

· Dennis Black (D, District 21), Vice Chair

· James F. Hahn (R, District 40), Ranking Member

· Joe Bolkcom (D, District 39)

· Joni Ernst (R, District 48)

· Shawn Hamerlinck (R, District 42)

· Tom Hancock (D, District 16)

· Robert M. Hogg (D, District 19)

· Tim L. Kapucian (R, District 20)

· Amanda Ragan (D, District 7)

· Brian Schoenjahn (D, District 12)

· Dr. Joe M. Seng (D, District 43)

· Kent Sorenson (R, District 37)

House Natural Resources

· Henry V. Rayhons (R, District 11), Chair

· Jeff Smith (R, District 6), Vice Chair

· Curtis Hanson (D, District 90), Ranking Member

· Richard D. Arnold (R, District 72)

· Clel Baudler (R, District 58)

· Joel Fry (R, District 95)

· Mary Gaskill (D, District 93)

· Bob Hager (R, District 16)

· Chris Hall (D, District 2)

· Dan Kelley (D, District 41)

· Mark Lofgren (R, District 80)

· Steven F. Lukan (R, District 32)

· Jim Lykam (D, District 85)

· Helen Miller (D, District 49)

· Dan Rasmussen (R, District 23)

· Sharon S. Steckman (D, District 13)

· Annette Sweeney (R, District 44)

· Phyllis Thede (D, District 81)

· James Van Engelenhoven (R, District 71)

· Guy Vander Linden (R, District 75)

· John Wittneben (D, District 7)