Legislative Update – January 24th, 2025

SECOND WEEK OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION

This week was a more typical week in the legislature with several bill subcommittee meetings and things moving along as expected.

Unlike previous years, there are no major priorities dominating the legislature’s attention. Deer, and outdoor related bills continue to be introduced, and I expect there to be more.

Keep reaching out to your elected officials — it does make a difference

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

Several deer and outdoor bills received subcommittees this week and ISC, and our members showed up enforce to provide our perspective.

First, a bill proposing to add the right to hunt, fish, and trap to our state constitution passed a subcommittee and will move to the full House Natural Resources Committee.
On Thursday, two subcommittees addressed deer-related issues. One bill allows nonresident landowners who own 40 or more acres to receive buck tags, and the other bill requires the DNR to distribute shooting permits for crop damage and adding a January 11-31 depredation season, both passed and will be sent to the House Natural Resources Committee.

BILL TRACKER

**New information highlighted in yellow**

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

It is crucial for hunters to speak up and engage with their legislators, especially when it comes to bills that could significantly impact our hunting traditions and wildlife management. Right now, two bills, both of which are opposed by the Iowa Sportsman’s Club, are moving forward to the full House Natural Resources Committee. These bills could have a lasting negative impact on our deer herd and hunting opportunities, so it is more important than ever for us to make our voices heard.

Hunters from across the state have already shown up in person to share their perspectives and highlight how damaging these bills would be to our fragile deer population. If we don’t continue to speak out, these bills could pass and become law, setting a dangerous precedent for future legislation. We don’t want to see our land divided and purchased by non-residents just for the sake of shooting bucks. We also don’t want to see additional shooting seasons added at a time when our deer herd is already at its lowest numbers in decades. Our actions now can directly influence the outcome of these bills.

You can make a difference today. Check the link below to see if your representative is on the Natural Resources Committee and reach out to them. Even if they aren’t on the committee, it’s still important to contact these legislators and ensure they understand the concerns of hunters across the state. In addition to these legislators, contact your own legislators and have them talk to the legislators on these committees. Every bit of advocacy helps. By voicing your opposition, you are playing a crucial role in protecting Iowa’s deer herd and the future of hunting in our state. As cliché as it sounds, your involvement truly matters.

House Natural Resources Committee

Senate Natural Resources Committee

DNR Townhalls on 2024 Hunting Season

The DNR is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics.

Meeting dates, times, and locations:

• Glenwood, 17, 6:30 p.m., Southwest Iowa Sportman’s Club, 22869 Jamett Road
• Waverly, 17, 6 p.m., Waverly Public Library, 1500 W. Bremer Avenue
• Bloomfield, 18, 6 p.m., Pioneer Ridge Nature Center, 1339 Hwy. 63
• Boone, 18, 6 p.m., Wildlife Research Station, 1436 255th Street
• Burlington, 18, 6 p.m., Starr’s Cave Nature Center, 11627 Starr’s Cave Park Road
• Chariton, 18, 6:30 p.m., Pin Oak Lodge, 45996 State Hwy. 14
• Charles City, 18, 6 p.m., The Pub on the Cedar, 101 North Jackson Street
• Decorah, 18, 7 p.m., Franklin W. Olin Building, Room 102, Luther College, 700 College Drive, next to the Prues Library
• Des Moines, 18, 6:45 p.m., Des Moines Izaak Walton, 4343 George Flagg Parkway
• Hinton, 18, 6:30 p.m., Dennis L. Sohl Center for Outdoor Learning, Hillview Recreation Area, 25601 C60
• Spencer, 18, 6:30 p.m., Iowa Lakes Community College, 1900 Grand Ave. Suite B1, Entrance #1-West side of the North Mall
• Ventura, 18, 6 p.m., Clear Lake Wildlife Unit Office, 15326 Balsam Ave.
• Algona, Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Tietz Entrepreneurial Center, Algona campus of Iowa Lakes Community College, 2111 Hwy 169 Attendees should enter through the southwest door.
• Iowa City, 19, 6 p.m., Johnson County Extension Office, 3109 Old Hwy 218 South
• Maquoketa, 19, 7 p.m., Hurstville Interpretive Center, 18670 63rd Street
• Perry, 19, 6:30 p.m., Forest Park Museum administration building, 14581 K Avenue
• Toledo, Feb 19, 6 m., Tama County Nature Center at Otter Creek Lake Park, 2283 Park Road
• Creston, 20, 6 p.m., Performing Arts Building multi-purpose room (124), 1201 West Townline Street
• Lake View, 20, 6:30 p.m., Speaker Park Shelter House, 418 North Blossom Street
• Okoboji, 20, 6 p.m., Maser Monarch Lodge, 22785 Nature Center Road

PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME!

Phil Jeneary

phil@tightlinesconsultancy.com