Constitutional amendment for right to harvest wildlife not needed
UPDATE -- this bill is inactive for 2023. It failed to pass through the funnel, where bills are winnowed if they have not moved through several steps of the legislative process.
An effort is underway to add an amendment to the Iowa Constitution that Iowans have a right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife. Furthermore the amendment states "Public hunting, fishing, trapping, and harvesting of wildlife shall be a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife."
The big question is why is this constitutional amendment needed?
There is absolutely no indication that there is a movement in Iowa to stop hunting, fishing, trapping, or harvesting of wildlife.
Currently the Iowa legislature lays out the species that can be hunted, fished, and trapped, plus some rules surrounding the harvest of the animals. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sets the seasons, dates, bag limits, and additional rules. The DNR also issues the licenses. DNR is responsible for monitoring populations of the animals. They engage in research so that they learn more about habitat, overall health of the animals, and range of the animals in the state.
So, I ask again, what is the problem we are trying to solve?
There are many species of wildlife that are not harvested in the state. They are not managed by "public hunting, fishing, trapping, and harvesting of wildlife". Furthermore, if a species is on the endangered or threatened species list, a member of the public should not be able to use this constitutional amendment to demand a public harvest.
Bill HJR6 has already passed through the House Judiciary committee and will be considered by the full House. A similar bill - SJR12 (formerly SJR8) - has been introduced in the Senate and has already cleared a subcommittee.
Ask your state representative to oppose HJR6 and ask your state Senator to oppose SJR12 (formerly SJR8) - the constitutional amendment for the right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife.
To look up your house member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/house
To look up your senate member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate
To find your legislator, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find