They are trying to get rid of that in New Mexico! I had a property to hunt in Iowa but it went away, have a couple points though. Would like to use them at some point!

 

"Why should private companies benefit from legislation?"

Private companies benefitting from legislation is the core of modern American politics. Do a bit of research on government contracts and it is certainly not always the lowest bidder that gets a contract. How did crossbows backdoor their way into many midwestern states archery seasons? Why should the "Met" in NY and Smithsonian in DC get huge endowments as part of the covid relief stimulus packages? Never heard of "Pork barrel"? PACs, insiders and lobbyists are the way of the sword today.....you are just finding this out when it relates to deer hunting in Iowa?

 

"Why should private companies benefit from legislation?"

Private companies benefitting from legislation is the core of modern American politics. Do a bit of research on government contracts and it is certainly not always the lowest bidder that gets a contract. How did crossbows backdoor their way into many midwestern states archery seasons? Why should the "Met" in NY and Smithsonian in DC get huge endowments as part of the covid relief stimulus packages? Never heard of "Pork barrel"? PACs, insiders and lobbyists are the way of the sword today.....you are just finding this out when it relates to deer hunting in Iowa?

It was more of an opinion than a question sir. I am well aware of how private companies benefit from legislation, wasn't born yesterday. What is your take on the bill dude? Are you 100% for it or what? Or do you just like to come on here and say "dO sOMe ReSeArcH"

 

You can't just go around killing the Kings deer Robin Hood...

 

Somebody call me?

 

found this on iowawhitetail.com

No subcommittee assigned yet but here is a link to the lobbyist declaration page:

Lobbyist declaration HF 60

 

A little late:

The full Committee meeting for this bill will be Monday, 02/22/21 at 1:30

Link to public comments: Comment here

Remember to list the bill's number HF 60 when you comment.

Link to watch the meeting live: Watch here

 

As an Iowa bowhunter who left Iowa for the military then jump to come back first chance I could, couple of things.
1) I actually like the way New Mexico does things. The people traveling to hunt are not decreasing, but increasing. This means throughout the US while the overall numbers of hunters might be declining those left are more serious about it and willing to invest more resources ($$) to do what they love. This means demand is up and supply is down. States either increase the number of points it takes to draw (in some cases my kids will be lucky to get top tier units) or they go to a system like New Mexico where you do have to play to pay. Does that sucks??? Maybe but at least I know there is a chance to hunt there unlike some of my dream units in CO or AZ.
2) After reading number it probably isn’t a surprise that I don’t mind the proposed legislation change as long as the overall number of Non Resident tags stay the same. This means an increased age structure of all those leased and bought lands that the outfitters will own and manage and a better age class of bucks for the neighboring farms (like several that I hunt that neighbor leased lands). If ANYONE thinks the price of hunting land is going anywhere but up (no matter what legislation is passed) is crazy. It is the way of the future and why time and time again I have posted on here that the #1 thing I am teaching my kids about hunting is to invest in their education and careers so they can enjoy the hunting I do. More so than field craft or scouting or bow selection this will be the MOST important part of hunting in the future. The rest is of course vital too, but none of it matters if you don’t have a place to actually hunt. I will rely on myself, my hard work, and my networking to keep a place to hunt if that makes it harder for others I can not control that.
3) All the undecided groups you see on that link above are actually for the changes, and this will be shown in time. They know this will not be popular and like most political things now-a-days they will wait and hide until the last possible second to show their hand.

 

If ANYONE thinks the price of hunting land is going anywhere but up (no matter what legislation is passed) is crazy. It is the way of the future and why time and time again I have posted on here that the #1 thing I am teaching my kids about hunting is to invest in their education and careers so they can enjoy the hunting I do. More so than field craft or scouting or bow selection this will be the MOST important part of hunting in the future. The rest is of course vital too, but none of it matters if you don’t have a place to actually hunt. I will rely on myself, my hard work, and my networking to keep a place to hunt if that makes it harder for others I can not control that.

I've lived in Iowa my whole life, save for a few years/months getting sent elsewhere as a Guardsman, the first opportunity I got I bought into my in-laws hunting ground.

There's a lot of things that money could've bought me, but what it did buy -
a guarantee that myself and my kids will have a place to call ours
a guarantee that no matter what happens I have a place to collect myself
a guarantee that I can manage the ground and animals as I (and my in-laws) see fit

400 acres of west central ia river timber for what is now 4 hunters, between 25 and 65. My 6 year old son has been out the last 2 years on early season bow hunts and despite no kills, those hunts will only be topped by my next hunt with him.

I don't know enough to say yay or nay on this bill, but as long as non-res tag counts don't increase it doesn't really effect me or my hunting. As long as I can still tromp on some of the limited public we have from time to time I'll be happy knowing I have a piece to call my own if all else fails.

That attitude might suck for some, but I busted my ass in school, busted my ass the first decade of my professional career. Worked longer hours than my peers, worked hours - nights/weekends/holidays that my peers wouldn't and sacrificed a **** ton in blood and sweat to be able to make the above statements. The only things holding back your hunting dreams are regulations, points and most importantly yourself.

Do the work and the reward is easily found.

 

I submitted a comment on the above link. I'm sure it will not do any good, but it's worth a shot. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

 

Iowa is attempting to follow suit as New Mexico (elk) on non-resident deer licenses. You guessed it - catering to big money. This bill would allow outfitters to receive a "chunk of the pie" of nonresident tags.

Reasons I am against this:

• Outfitters getting "priority" on tags means they will ultimately see increased revenue. Increased revenue thus increases buying power. That farm you hunt? Yeah that recently got leased out to an outfitter who has a lot more money than you. Or, it sold because the landowner/farmer was offered an offer he couldn't refuse. Bottom line, access gets limited.
• Why should private companies benefit from legislation? If you want to hire a guide go ahead. But don't expect to be in a "special" pool of licenses because you went with a guide. Complete bogus.
• This is a huge blow to the DIY hunter. It truly is becoming a rich mans game. "You have $5,000 to burn? Awesome, jump to the front of the line and book with us an outfitter, we get 500 tags first".

Iowa residents and nonresidents alike, please voice your concerns against this bill.

HF 60 - Nonresident Licenses for Outfitters (A) - The bill requires the natural resources commission to reserve 500 of the nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses for nonresidents who have made a reservation with a hunting guide company which company is currently registered as a business entity with the secretary of state and has maintained registration since prior to July 1, 2020. If fewer than 500 nonresidents apply for a reserved license by the application deadline set by the commission, the excess reserved licenses shall be available for purchase in the same manner as other excess nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses.
A nonresident shall include with the license application evidence that the reservation is scheduled for a time during which the license is valid. Not more than 35 percent of the issued reserved licenses and not more than 35 percent of the remaining licenses shall be bow season licenses.

They are trying to do the same thing Montana right now. They want to give the outfitters 40% of the combo tags with a 10% leeway so it could be up to 50% of the highly coveted combo tags. I heard on a podcost that the Montana guide and outfitters association said that 40% of those tags are already going to people using outfitters. Iowa is not the only state in this same situation.

 

Of course the "Montana guide and outfitters association" is going to say that. It's in their best interest. Rather it's true or not is another story. That's just it though, the demand is already there. If the demand is already there for non residents who get a tag the old fashioned way, why not just keep it as is? People are going to book with guides regardless. Don't let them jump to the front of the line every year because they are special and booked with a guide.

 

This was by no way meant to be a "poor me" post. I get the whole work hard and things will come spiel. I have also worked longer than my peers, busted my ass, worked nights, etc. I get all of that and I have plenty of land to hunt because of it. Heck, lets just change the whole thing to guides only. The only way non-residents can come hunt is if they show proof they are booked with a guide. If some don't like it? Well, get a job, work long hours, bust ass in school...then you will be able afford a guide. It's simple. The only one holding them back is themselves.....

You give these people an inch and eventually they will take a mile. Just as Alaska eluded to with the crossbow deal.

 

So if am I understanding it correctly it would decrease the number of non resident DIY hunters and increase the number of non resident hunters that use an outfitter? But the overall hunter number remains the same.

 

Yes, you are understanding correctly.

 

We are in the middle of an outfitter driven agenda in the KS house as well. Mind you, not all outfitters are crooked by any means, but there are some out there who care for nothing but their bottom line and there are politicians in bed with them. I'm beginning to see late winter and early spring as politicians' own personal hunting seasons, and their prey is common sense wildlife regulation.

 

Between this and xbows in IA, it might take ten years to get in for a DIY hunt. That would take me out of the game probably. I don't think I could justify spending 60+ bucks for points for 10 years plus the license. That would stink.

 

It won't take that long; soon Iowa will bend to the demand and dramatically increase non-resident tags, this would just be another step in that direction.

 

" Conservation will ultimately boil down to rewarding the private landowner who conserves the public interest."
-Some dude smarter than me
(which doesn't take much)

 

Outfitters=ebola.
Never forget Wyoming where you can't hunt your wilderness although you can hike in it.

 

A shame deer hunting is becoming a $$$ sport....The Big Bone Craze,,Addiction,,whatever you call it, is part of it. what about those who just want to hunt for some Venison....quite the pricy meat now...As with everything Money talks....Not a good pattern...I live in Iowa...Have a small acreage....Hunt for my table,,not for Bone....As I think I have stated onhere,,,Not all of Iowa is Big Bone Land...Not my area at any rate,,,and that is just fine with me...Keeps the Large cash crowd away...

 

That is because you don't have to hunt for food anymore. You can go to the store and get anything you want. If I am spending $ 800-900 bucks for a non resident tag. I am not hunting for meat. I am there for one reason to shoot a or attempt to shoot a Personal Best. Some people do like the public land hunts all the power to them. If I am spending that kind of money on a tag and license I want the best possible chance to fill said tag. That is going to be an outfitter lease or some kind of trespass fee for hunt.

 

They are turning deer hunting into a big money sport. Shame.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

Unfortunately, you are about 30 years behind with"turning deer hunting into a big money sport". Outfitters have been leasing prime land for a long time in many other states.....just ask Illinois and Ohio. Turn on the Outdoor channel where hunting shows are like NASCAR, with a host of sponsors and "informercial" format. When deer hunting turned into a "management" game with large land holdings and crops planted specifically to ensure whitetail health and growth.....things had already turned the corner of "a big money sport". Iowa is just one of the last holdouts to the big money deer hunting interests......for better or worse depending upon your outlook and personal interests.

 

The only people that want this to go through are the outfitters. Most of the good ones stay booked anyway.

I do believe the preference points are now $68.00 each and it takes at least 4 to get into Zone 5. There will be people with 4 points who get rejected in zone 5 this year so for some, it will now take 5 preference points.

 

I DO hunt for the major part of my protein...Yes it still does happen.It saves me money..My wife and I on fixed income..I know a person that lost his hunting farm to a lease for 6,000! It is ridiculous to me the obsession with BONE,,,Something that grows out of the head of an animal...It is a shame what simple deer hunting has evolved into. Simple enjoyment and food collection still does go on....Getting more difficult though.

 

If there is no increase in tags I would guess the impact to residents is potentially less ground to hunt but I doubt 500 tags amongst all the outfitters makes a big difference. That's less that 10% of the total tags. I really don't see this being a big deal since say there are 25 outfitters, that's only 20 tags a piece. I am sure there is more than that and they aren't revamping a business on 20 clients a year. I love my Iowa friends but every time something like this is discussed its the end of the world. What I don't know is how many of these can be bow tags. Now that is the big impact to DIY hunters as 500 bow tags is almost 24% of the bow tags. That would make the draw for a DIY worse than it already is and it already sucks. I will say if this passes I will probably stop accumulating preference points because they are expensive and I am not waiting 8 years to hunt there again and have it cost me 1,200 for a license alone. Please keep this thread up to date on the bills status.

 

Will this apply to non-resident disabled licenses?

 

This bill didn’t make it though the session so it’s dead for the year

 

Thank goodness