Constitutional amendment for right to harvest wildlife not needed

Update: The legislature did not pass this bill.

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.  

The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the DNR to set limits on hunting, trapping, and fishing.  The DNR would be allowed to continue to set regulations.  So there is no need for this constitutional amendment.

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.

SJR12 - has been introduced in the Senate and has already cleared a subcommittee.

What you can do

1. Ask members of the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee to oppose SJR12: annette.sweeney@legis.iowa.gov , tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov , izaah.knox@legis.iowa.gov , liz.bennett@legis.iowa.gov , claire.celsi@legis.iowa.gov , chris.cournoyer@legis.iowa.gov , rocky.dewitt@legis.iowa.gov , dawn.driscoll@legis.iowa.gov , lynn.evans@legis.iowa.gov , jesse.green@legis.iowa.gov , ken.rozenboom@legis.iowa.gov , sarah.trone.garriott@legis.iowa.gov , dan.zumbach@legis.iowa.gov
2. Ask your state Senator to oppose SJR12 - the constitutional amendment for the right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife.

To look up your senate member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate

To find your legislator, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find