Dear Dead Shot readers: Again, thank you for all the letters regarding the pheasant survey as well as all the call-in’s I receive from you listener’s on “Sportsman’s Notebook”, News Radio 1040 WHO that I participate in on Sunday’s at noon.
As you all know, there are many different problems as to why we don’t have pheasants but nobody knows exactly what the problem is, however after talking to you on the radio show, reading your emails and chatting with you on the phone, I have come to the following conclusions:
- HABITAT. This is a major excuse by all organizations as to why we lack pheasants.
- WEATHER. The weather plays a significant role in all outdoor activities and with animal welfare however this is just another major excuse. We’ve had bad weather in Iowa for well over 100 years and this will continue.
- ECONOMY. As you all are aware of the fact that the United States and particularly Iowa, Economy effects everything as far as the outdoors goes. This is the real answer of the problem which everyone seems to be afraid to address. You have to know the problem in order to address the problem but it seems no one knows the problem. I have come to the conclusion that the Economy is the culprit. You should be aware of the fact the Economy effects farmers which in turn effects wildlife. Farming equipment is too expensive, with tractors costing $100,000 or more and farm land is $10,000 per acre or more. It appears there is no economic reason to have pheasants in Iowa such as there is in South Dakota because property is too valuable and equipment is costly. The bottom line is the $ sign. Consequently, it is my opinion that we will never have pheasant or quail in Iowa again in any huntable amount.
I realize outdoor people are going to disagree with me however why should farmers set aside any kind of habitat or acreage on land that is worth $10,000 so people can have a chance to hunt. I do know some farmers that do this and congratulations to them but I don’t foresee that this will be accomplished in the near future.
What we need is for the D.N.R. to obtain the 3/8 of 1% sales tax increase to provide the ability to buy state land in order to allow birds to reproduce on as well as release captive birds from South Dakota. I believe this is the only way we will have any pheasant hunting in Iowa. I know some will disagree with me. If you have a better solution or answer, please call me.
This is one reason many helped with passing the Dove Bill in the Senate and the House and bare in mind, we in the “Iowa Sportsman Magazine”, were writing about a dove season since August of 2010 until the last session of Legislature. Also, the Iowa Sportsman Magazine provided the Senate and House with almost 500 names of people wanting a Dove season, which names were obtained at the “Iowa Sportsman’s Sports Show”.
I welcome anything you have to say on this by writing, emailing or calling in on Sportsman’s Notebook on Sundays at 515-284-1040 News Radio WHO.
