Sunday, January 2nd, Richard Sims from the Natural Resources Conservation Service was the special guest on Sportsman's Notebook. This is a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If you'd like more information, visit their website at
www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov
Sportsman Notebook
Contact Info
On air: Sundays Noon - 1pm
Call / Text: 515-284-1040 / 515-989-1040
Email: deadshotoutdoors@yahoo.com
Twitter: Follow Me
Youtube: Watch
Join WHO veteran broadcaster Keith Kirkpatrick and sportsman & attorney Ron Kuntz for the longest-running talk show in the nation, on the air continuously since 1973. We're your premier traditional sports show on hunting, fishing & everything outdoor. You might call us the outdoor organizational information center.
Questions or comments? Would you like to recommend a particular guest? Let us know!
Ron Kuntz is partner in KUNTZ, LAUGHLIN & EGGE LAW. Visit his website.
Call / Text: 515-284-1040 / 515-989-1040
Email: deadshotoutdoors@yahoo.com
Twitter: Follow Me
Youtube: Watch
Join WHO veteran broadcaster Keith Kirkpatrick and sportsman & attorney Ron Kuntz for the longest-running talk show in the nation, on the air continuously since 1973. We're your premier traditional sports show on hunting, fishing & everything outdoor. You might call us the outdoor organizational information center.
Questions or comments? Would you like to recommend a particular guest? Let us know!
Ron Kuntz is partner in KUNTZ, LAUGHLIN & EGGE LAW. Visit his website.
Monday, November 01, 2010
Mr. Rooster
“MR. ROOSTER”, commonly referred to as ring neck pheasant, has a grand opening for hunting on October 30th and extends through January 10th, 2011. Shooting hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a daily bag limit of 3 and possession of 12.This is the one season we all look forward to and have since our childhood. One of the first t.v. series I remember as a child was “THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN” (1965-1986) that occurred near Victor, Iowa County, Iowa. It was considered a celebrity shoot in that Bing Crosby and Phil Harris, both shooting underover shotguns, hunted “MR. ROOSTER” and in between shots, sang songs.
Several years ago on a “Iowa Governor’s Hunt” which occurred in Iowa County, my guide, who claimed he was a child during the time “THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN” was being filmed with Bing Crosby and Phil Harris, indicated that his father took him into a bar in Victor, Iowa to meet Bing Crosby. I was very impressed that he remembers the show well. On several occasions, I have tried or attempted to obtain a copy of the program, “THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN”, but I have been unable to locate one.
If any of you readers know of one, please advise me so I may obtain such copy.
As you all know there are very few pheasants this year and this is one of the first times since early history that the farmers have been allowed to release birds on their own. This obviously will help the pheasant population and also give the farmers some input into the bird problem.
Pursuant to the D.N.R. Press Releases, the US Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsak, announced that Iowa was one of seventeen states to share more than 11.75 million dollars for involuntary public access, habitat and city programs. It’s about time the Federal Government gets into the habitat program for pheasants as local organizations and farmers can’t keep up with it.
Iowa will receive 1.5 million dollars over 3 years to help fund grass seeding, tree and shrub plantings, burning, disking, spraying, interseeding, food plots, edged feathering, timber stand improvement, and wetland restoration on private land and in return for this, the land owners have to agree to allow public access to their land for a period of 3 to 10 years. State officials feel the grant should give a boost to Iowa’s ground-nesting birds struggling after 4 straight years of wet springs, records snowfalls, proving nesting success and low winter survival rates.
Iowa will receive 1.5 million dollars over 3 years to help fund grass seeding, tree and shrub plantings, burning, disking, spraying, interseeding, food plots, edged feathering, timber stand improvement, and wetland restoration on private land and in return for this, the land owners have to agree to allow public access to their land for a period of 3 to 10 years. State officials feel the grant should give a boost to Iowa’s ground-nesting birds struggling after 4 straight years of wet springs, records snowfalls, proving nesting success and low winter survival rates.
Now that the Federal Government is getting involved in the habitat, it’s time the State gets involved in providing habitat and pursuant to the November 2nd, 2010 Iowa Elections, the public will be allowed to get involved because of the Constitutional Amendment called “IOWA WATER & LAND LEGACY”. This will set up a trust fund for Iowa and the monies will be extended towards the D.N.R. and the outdoors.
Legislation has already passed the House and Senate on 2 successive years and comes up for Constitutional Amendment by the public on November 2nd, 2010. The “IOWA WATER & LAND LEGACY” (“IF” there is an increase in sales tax at 3/8 of one percent of said sales tax), will go towards the Iowa Conservation Programs. State Legislature had allocated a pie chart of the 3/8 of one percent increase as follows: 7% for lakes restoration; 10% for land and water trails; 13% to local communities for improvement of parks, preserves etc.; 13% to Iowa’s Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Fund; 14% for watershed protection; 20% for soil conservation & watershed protection; 23% for the establishment, restoration or enhancement of state parks, preserves and etc.
It should be noted that this Constitutional Amendment will certainly benefit the farming communities of Iowa, the conservation communities of Iowa and all outdoor organizations. There has been some negative advertisement and promotion against this however, it is minimum and it’s in the farmer’s interest that this matter be voted on the majority of Iowan’s and past.
Legislation has already passed the House and Senate on 2 successive years and comes up for Constitutional Amendment by the public on November 2nd, 2010. The “IOWA WATER & LAND LEGACY” (“IF” there is an increase in sales tax at 3/8 of one percent of said sales tax), will go towards the Iowa Conservation Programs. State Legislature had allocated a pie chart of the 3/8 of one percent increase as follows: 7% for lakes restoration; 10% for land and water trails; 13% to local communities for improvement of parks, preserves etc.; 13% to Iowa’s Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Fund; 14% for watershed protection; 20% for soil conservation & watershed protection; 23% for the establishment, restoration or enhancement of state parks, preserves and etc.
It should be noted that this Constitutional Amendment will certainly benefit the farming communities of Iowa, the conservation communities of Iowa and all outdoor organizations. There has been some negative advertisement and promotion against this however, it is minimum and it’s in the farmer’s interest that this matter be voted on the majority of Iowan’s and past.
As all of you that read my columns know, it’s indicated that farmer’s have finally been allowed to release pheasants on their own property as along as the bird is obtained properly in accordance with the D.N.R. regulations. The 3 hatcheries in Iowa which the D.N.R. has approved to sell birds to farmers are: Hoover’s Hatchery in Rudd, Iowa (1-800-247-7014); Murray McMurray in Webster City, Iowa (1-800-456-3280); and Malloy Game Birds in State Center, Iowa (1-641-483-2617).
I get several phone calls weekly from farmers regarding this matter and they are all very happy with the legislation as such and they promise to obtain birds and if they obtain the birds, they will have the habitat for them which will also draw Iowa birds in.
The “Iowa Outdoors D.N.R.” indicates that recent charges have been filed against 3 Louisiana men in southeast Iowa underscoring a growing problem during deer season. Iowa only offers 6,000 nonresident deer licenses and the waiting period can be up to 3 years to get one. There appears to be a growing and disturbing trend of nonresidents purchasing land, sometimes even a house and trying to claim their residency is in Iowa, including obtaining an Iowa driver’s license.
Whenever a person falsely claims residency here and obtains an Iowa driver’s license, it is a felony. Of the 3 Louisiana patrons, one faces a $6,085.00 fine and $60,600.00 in liquidated damages. These 3 men were all turned in to the “TIP” (Turn In Poachers) hotline. The reason these out-of-state “residents” want Iowa resident hunting licenses is because Iowa has the biggest deer and nicest racks in the United States, as far as I’m concerned; and it’s difficult to get a non-resident license.
Whenever a person falsely claims residency here and obtains an Iowa driver’s license, it is a felony. Of the 3 Louisiana patrons, one faces a $6,085.00 fine and $60,600.00 in liquidated damages. These 3 men were all turned in to the “TIP” (Turn In Poachers) hotline. The reason these out-of-state “residents” want Iowa resident hunting licenses is because Iowa has the biggest deer and nicest racks in the United States, as far as I’m concerned; and it’s difficult to get a non-resident license.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me by calling (515) 283-2330, emailing me at dmlaw@qwestoffice.net or by writing to 206 – 6th Avenue, Suite 510, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Latest From Dead Shot
The Iowa D.N.R. has indicated that Iowa will receive a 1.5 million dollar grant for the “Landowner Habitat Incentive Program”.
Local pheasant hunters and farmers received good news this week when U.S. Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsak, announced Iowa was one of 17 states to share more than $11.75 million in Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) grants.
Iowa will receive $1.5 million over three years to help fund grass and forb seeding, tree and shrub plantings, burning, disking, spraying, interseeding, food plots, edge feathering, timber stand improvement and wetland restoration on private lands. In return, landowners agree to allow public access to their land for a period of three to ten years. State officials feel the grant should give a boost to Iowa’s ground-nesting birds struggling after four straight years of wet springs, record snowfalls, poor nesting success and low winter survival rates.
“We think this will be a great tool for helping recover Iowa’s weather-decimated pheasant numbers, at the same time providing public access to well-managed private lands,: said Todd Bogenschutz, D.N.R. upland game biologist. “It’s a shot in the arm at a time when hunters – and pheasants alike – really needed it.”
Along with pheasants and hunters, the program is expected to benefit other wildlife and outdoor recreationalists. According to the USDA, the “VPA-HIP” will provide incentives to owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch and forest land to voluntarily give hunters, fisherman, hikers, bird watchers and other recreational outdoor enthusiasts access to land for their enjoyment.
“This administration is committed to preserving and enhancing the great conservation legacy of our nation’s hunters and anglers for the benefit of current and future generations,” Vilsak said. “VPA-HIP” will help achieve conservation goals and increase opportunities for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation by providing greater access to privately held lands and we are excited to assist these 17 states in developing new and enhancing existing public access and habitat incentive programs”.
Iowa was one of 28 states vying for the grants. Iowa’s program is expected to be in place by early next year.
“Right now our focus is finalizing the details of the program,” said Kelly Smith, DNR Private Lands Program Coordinator. “We will likely have the program in place by early next spring.”
I feel the “Walk-In Access” program is much needed here in Iowa due to the low numbers of our pheasants, quail, turkeys and other feathered birds. It is my thought that the “Walk-In” properties will be open in the fall of 2011 through February 2012 and access by vehicle, horse back or by other means will probably be prohibited on the private property. These private properties will probably be marked with ““Walk-In Access” and have maps available to the hunters and public. The “Walk-In Access” program will provide opportunity for sportsmen and incentives for the landowners, along with monetarily compensating the private landowners for public access to their property. Depending on the property and the agreement with the D.N.R., the public may hunt, fish or trap on that property. Perhaps the landowners enrolled in the “Walk-In Access” program will be afforded liability protection under Iowa Law.
In checking with the Iowa D.N.R., it was indicated the Iowa “Walk-In” program will be copied somewhat after North Dakota plots and land. The plots and/or “Walk-In” program is the D.N.R.’s effort to increase habitat and hunting access on private land and pay the private landowners for this privilege. This Iowa program will probably include pasture, crop land and forest acres and will be based on points assessed to the land use such as wetlands and woodland acres.
In my review of the other states that have “Walk-In” programs, there’s very little negative feedback, consequently it will help Iowa with our “Walk-In” program and in turn, will help increase birds, increase fur bearers as well as our habitat.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me calling at (515) 283-2330, emailing me at dmlaw@qwestoffice.net or by writing to 206 – 6th Avenue, Suite 510, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.
Friday, August 13, 2010
WHEN HUNTING AND FISHING, PUT BACK MORE THAN YOU TAKE
Dear Dead Shot Supporters:
Thank you for phone calls, emails and letters regarding the great outdoors! The HuntMasters Club which is a weekly meeting club here in Des Moines, Iowa, of which my black lab “Buddy IV” is the president thereof and the above motto that we live up to of “When Hunting and Fishing, Put Back More Than You Take”. All outdoor people should live by this motto, hunt by this motto, shoot by this motto, fish by this motto and vote this fall by this motto.
One of our finest pieces of Legislation and Constitutional Amendment to come before the people of Iowa in the last one hundred years, will be vote by the public in November of this year on whether to amend the State Constitution and set up a protected account to improve what the state’s water quality and resources in order to improve wildlife habitat, soil conservation, lake restoration, lake restoration, parks and trails.
As we pursue life from the hunting and fishing angle, we must bear in mind that we have to “Put Back More Than We Take” from the outdoors. Under the proposed Constitutional Amendment, the next time law makers raise the sales tax, 3/8 of the monies raised by a one cent increase will go into the new account, a Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreational Trust Fund. It is believed that this will bring a hundred and fifty million dollars a year for the outdoors. This new amendment is called “The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment”. This Constitutional Amendment will not raise taxes, but will only come into play if in fact, there is an increase in sales tax by that one percent.
We all enjoy the outdoors and we all need to help the outdoors and this is the greatest thing for the outdoors within the last hundred years! Most of you readers of my column are outdoors people and already belong to a conservation group which I know will agree to vote for this Constitutional Amendment.
And remember, When Hunting and Fishing, Put Back More Than You Take!
You may contact me by calling at (515) 283-2330, emailing me at dmlaw@qwestoffice.net or by writing to 206 – 6th Avenue, Suite 510, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.
Have A Good Hunt And Keep On Fishing!
DEAD SHOT
a/k/a Ron Kuntz
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
May 30th Show
Special guest was John Toppenberg, the Executive Director of the Alaska Wildlife Alliance. He talked about visiting Alaska and all their fish and wildlife. (bear, moose, caribou, wolves, etc.)
For more information you can visit their website at www.askwildlife.org
Their mailing address is:
P.O. Box 202022
Anchorage, Alaska 99520
For more information you can visit their website at www.askwildlife.org
Their mailing address is:
P.O. Box 202022
Anchorage, Alaska 99520
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Hunting And Fishing
By Ron Kuntz
Now that the Iowa Legislature has recessed until 2011 and the Governor has signed the appropriate outdoor bills, I will discuss the importance of those with you. The following bills were signed by the House, Senate and the Governor and are important: 1) House File 2310 which is a bill relating to farmers raising and releasing pen raised pheasants, originating from a hatchery approved by the Department of Natural Resources, allowing farmers to release pen raised birds on their own land.
I think I have discussed this in depth in my prior articles. I feel it is a very good bill, allowing some of the farmers to partake in outdoor activities such as pheasant rearing.
The only organizations that were against this bill were a few national organizations; the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Coon Hunters Association and the Trappers Association were undecided on this bill however, the Iowa Sportsman Federation was for this bill.
The most important bill that was passed by the House and Senate and signed by the Governor was a bill standardizing concealed weapon permits. After years of discussions by law makers, the House and Senate approved a bill to standardize the way sheriffs in all 99 counties issue or deny permits to carry weapons as well as their training standards.
The bill is often referred to as the “Shall Issue” bill and beginning on January 1st, 2011, County Sheriffs will have 30 days to either approve or deny an application to carry a concealed weapon. If the sheriff does not take action on the application within 30 days, the application is automatically approved.
Another important bill that was passed is SF 2310, a bill allowing “NATURAL RESOURCES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION TRUST FUND” to implement a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa, providing for contingent implementation.
As of this fall, the Constitution of the State of Iowa will have an amendment to be voted on by the public on the back page of the ballad which is often referred to as “IOWA’S WATER & LAND LEGACY”.
You should be advised that in order to amend the Constitution of the State of Iowa the Constitutional Amendment has to be passed by two successive sessions of the State Senate and the House of Representatives and then goes to the people of Iowa to be voted on as a Constitutional Amendment.
This Constitutional Amendment will allow a certain small percentage of increased sales tax to go to the Iowa Trust Fund. This Constitutional Amendment is referred to as SF 2310 and is a bill for an act creating a “NATURAL RESOURCES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION TRUST FUND” to implement a proposed amendment to the Constitution to the State of Iowa. SF2310, HF 2503, often referred to as “Sustainable Funding, Spending Guidelines”, which were passed by the Legislature, signed by the Governor and will become law when and if the “Iowa Legacy” is voted for by the public in the fall election.
Sustainable Funding Spending Guidelines are as follows: “Includes provisions to implement the collection and spending of any sales tax increase for natural resources and recreation, should the voters approve the constitutional amendment in November and in the future a sales tax increase.
The House, Senate and the Governor have done their part in providing you with these bills, please be advised that you should all vote for the Sustainable Funding, often referred to “Iowa’s Water & Land Legacy Act” this fall in order to provide the same protection of the environment as is provided in the following states: Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota and Iowa should follow suit.
Please contact me by calling at (515) 283-2330, emailing me at dmlaw@qwestoffice.net or by writing to 405 – 6th Avenue, Suite 940, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.
Now that the Iowa Legislature has recessed until 2011 and the Governor has signed the appropriate outdoor bills, I will discuss the importance of those with you. The following bills were signed by the House, Senate and the Governor and are important: 1) House File 2310 which is a bill relating to farmers raising and releasing pen raised pheasants, originating from a hatchery approved by the Department of Natural Resources, allowing farmers to release pen raised birds on their own land.
I think I have discussed this in depth in my prior articles. I feel it is a very good bill, allowing some of the farmers to partake in outdoor activities such as pheasant rearing.
The only organizations that were against this bill were a few national organizations; the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Coon Hunters Association and the Trappers Association were undecided on this bill however, the Iowa Sportsman Federation was for this bill.
The most important bill that was passed by the House and Senate and signed by the Governor was a bill standardizing concealed weapon permits. After years of discussions by law makers, the House and Senate approved a bill to standardize the way sheriffs in all 99 counties issue or deny permits to carry weapons as well as their training standards.
The bill is often referred to as the “Shall Issue” bill and beginning on January 1st, 2011, County Sheriffs will have 30 days to either approve or deny an application to carry a concealed weapon. If the sheriff does not take action on the application within 30 days, the application is automatically approved.
Another important bill that was passed is SF 2310, a bill allowing “NATURAL RESOURCES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION TRUST FUND” to implement a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa, providing for contingent implementation.
As of this fall, the Constitution of the State of Iowa will have an amendment to be voted on by the public on the back page of the ballad which is often referred to as “IOWA’S WATER & LAND LEGACY”.
You should be advised that in order to amend the Constitution of the State of Iowa the Constitutional Amendment has to be passed by two successive sessions of the State Senate and the House of Representatives and then goes to the people of Iowa to be voted on as a Constitutional Amendment.
This Constitutional Amendment will allow a certain small percentage of increased sales tax to go to the Iowa Trust Fund. This Constitutional Amendment is referred to as SF 2310 and is a bill for an act creating a “NATURAL RESOURCES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION TRUST FUND” to implement a proposed amendment to the Constitution to the State of Iowa. SF2310, HF 2503, often referred to as “Sustainable Funding, Spending Guidelines”, which were passed by the Legislature, signed by the Governor and will become law when and if the “Iowa Legacy” is voted for by the public in the fall election.
Sustainable Funding Spending Guidelines are as follows: “Includes provisions to implement the collection and spending of any sales tax increase for natural resources and recreation, should the voters approve the constitutional amendment in November and in the future a sales tax increase.
- Natural Resources Account = 23%
- Soil Conservation & Water Protection Account = 20%
- Watershed Protection Account = 14%
- REAP = 13%
- Trails Account = 10%
- Lake Restoration Account = 7%
The House, Senate and the Governor have done their part in providing you with these bills, please be advised that you should all vote for the Sustainable Funding, often referred to “Iowa’s Water & Land Legacy Act” this fall in order to provide the same protection of the environment as is provided in the following states: Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota and Iowa should follow suit.
Please contact me by calling at (515) 283-2330, emailing me at dmlaw@qwestoffice.net or by writing to 405 – 6th Avenue, Suite 940, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.
Monday, May 03, 2010
May 2nd Show
Jennifer Pudenz, a new editor at "The Iowa Sportsman Magazine" was the guest on May 2nd. She talked about young people and young females in central Iowa's great outdoors.
If you'd like more information regarding this show, you can contact her at 515-205-6514.
If you'd like more information regarding this show, you can contact her at 515-205-6514.
Monday, May 03, 2010
Mr. Rooster
Ron Kuntz
Where have all the pheasants gone? This question was recently raised by the State of Iowa Legislation, mainly the House and the Senate under House File 2310. I am happy to inform you that House File 2310 was unanimously voted on and passed by the House with 93 votes for it on or about February 18, 2010! House File 2310 was then moved to the Senate Natural Resource Committee and was voted on and passed by the Senate on March 23, 2010 with 29 for and 20 votes against.
It’s of interest and note to you rural Iowans that farmers will finally have a say in raising and producing pheasants pursuant to House File 2310 which reads as follows (and will become the law when the Governor does sign it):
“This is a bill for an act relating to raising or releasing pen-reared pheasants originating from a hatchery approved by the Department of Natural Resources.”
As of this time nothing any national organizations or local organizations have done to increase the number of pheasants in Iowa. The fact is they have decreased in numbers to the point where there aren’t; any birds. South Dakota presently allows birds to be released by farmers for the fall hunt. House File 2310 merely reflects what South Dakota has been doing for several years which Iowa should have done long before.
My feeling of farmers purchasing pheasants to release on his own property from an authorized game farm, that the farmer will make sure there is habitat there to protect the pheasants and allow them to reproduce on their land. It’s about time we give the farmers a chance to be heard on this matter and as to this date, nothing has worked as far as Iowa pheasant population goes. If this works out, that we have more pheasants within the next year, it would be ideal to pass the same type of quail release throughout Iowa. As you all know, the secret to raising pheasants is to have habitat. No one can argue with this matter however, you must have birds reproducing in the habitat to be successful! I think this Bill will give “MR. ROOSTER” a chance.
You must all realize that originally this is the way pheasants were introduced to Iowa from the Orient. The first pheasant season in Iowa was in 1925. One of my main reason why I think we had so many pheasants before is that at that time, farmers were not as productive as they are today. Farmers today cultivate from road ditch to road ditch. Pheasants, at this point, have been worth nothing to farmers so why should he protect them. Farmers then just were not the business been that they are today. We must bear in mind that real estate in South Dakota probably goes for $2500.00 an acre where Iowa real estate goes for $5,000.00 and up. Consequently, Iowa farmland is too expensive to do the same thing with pheasant shooting as they do in South Dakota where pheasants are worth $150.00 a day per gun.
I really feel this was a smart thing to do by the Senate and the House and I have been assured that HF2310 will be signed by the Governor.
By the way, I attended the Sustainable Funding Signing Ceremony by the Governor this morning, locally known as SF2310; which is a sustainable funding bill to be voted on this fall at the general election by the public.
Please contact me regarding your ideas as to why we do or don’t have pheasants and what we can do to help the pheasant population come back in Iowa. Contact me at “Dead Shot” at 405 – 6th Avenue, Suite 938, Des Moines, Iowa 50309, call me at (515) 283-2330 or email me at deadshotoutdoors@yahoo.com.
Have A Good Hunt And Keep On Fishing!
DEAD SHOT
a/k/a Ron Kuntz
Where have all the pheasants gone? This question was recently raised by the State of Iowa Legislation, mainly the House and the Senate under House File 2310. I am happy to inform you that House File 2310 was unanimously voted on and passed by the House with 93 votes for it on or about February 18, 2010! House File 2310 was then moved to the Senate Natural Resource Committee and was voted on and passed by the Senate on March 23, 2010 with 29 for and 20 votes against.
It’s of interest and note to you rural Iowans that farmers will finally have a say in raising and producing pheasants pursuant to House File 2310 which reads as follows (and will become the law when the Governor does sign it):
“This is a bill for an act relating to raising or releasing pen-reared pheasants originating from a hatchery approved by the Department of Natural Resources.”
As of this time nothing any national organizations or local organizations have done to increase the number of pheasants in Iowa. The fact is they have decreased in numbers to the point where there aren’t; any birds. South Dakota presently allows birds to be released by farmers for the fall hunt. House File 2310 merely reflects what South Dakota has been doing for several years which Iowa should have done long before.
My feeling of farmers purchasing pheasants to release on his own property from an authorized game farm, that the farmer will make sure there is habitat there to protect the pheasants and allow them to reproduce on their land. It’s about time we give the farmers a chance to be heard on this matter and as to this date, nothing has worked as far as Iowa pheasant population goes. If this works out, that we have more pheasants within the next year, it would be ideal to pass the same type of quail release throughout Iowa. As you all know, the secret to raising pheasants is to have habitat. No one can argue with this matter however, you must have birds reproducing in the habitat to be successful! I think this Bill will give “MR. ROOSTER” a chance.
You must all realize that originally this is the way pheasants were introduced to Iowa from the Orient. The first pheasant season in Iowa was in 1925. One of my main reason why I think we had so many pheasants before is that at that time, farmers were not as productive as they are today. Farmers today cultivate from road ditch to road ditch. Pheasants, at this point, have been worth nothing to farmers so why should he protect them. Farmers then just were not the business been that they are today. We must bear in mind that real estate in South Dakota probably goes for $2500.00 an acre where Iowa real estate goes for $5,000.00 and up. Consequently, Iowa farmland is too expensive to do the same thing with pheasant shooting as they do in South Dakota where pheasants are worth $150.00 a day per gun.
I really feel this was a smart thing to do by the Senate and the House and I have been assured that HF2310 will be signed by the Governor.
By the way, I attended the Sustainable Funding Signing Ceremony by the Governor this morning, locally known as SF2310; which is a sustainable funding bill to be voted on this fall at the general election by the public.
Please contact me regarding your ideas as to why we do or don’t have pheasants and what we can do to help the pheasant population come back in Iowa. Contact me at “Dead Shot” at 405 – 6th Avenue, Suite 938, Des Moines, Iowa 50309, call me at (515) 283-2330 or email me at deadshotoutdoors@yahoo.com.
Have A Good Hunt And Keep On Fishing!
DEAD SHOT
a/k/a Ron Kuntz
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
April 11th Show
A Jay Winter from the DNR was the special guest. He talked about the many DNR programs that are geared specifically for families to enjoy together. If you'd like more information on this you are welcome to call him at 515-669-7201.
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