Meeting Public Comments

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

02-18-2021

Andrew Mitts [Andrew Mitts]

HSB 158A crossbow is not archery equipment. Surrounding states have proved that crossbow introduction does not have a positive effect on a deer herd, this bill is another step closer to allowing crossbows in all archery seasons. I wish everything wasn't about money; please don't ruin the great Iowa deer quality

02-19-2021

Robert Lange []

REF: HSB 158I am opposed to this bill to allow crossbows during the second archery split. I love all things whitetail. I love hunting them and managing multiple farms for them. Soon my 2 children will begin hunting them with my wife and I. Our family loves being outdoors and enjoy a quality experience. Every year there are bills introduced that threaten Iowa's great hunting tradition. State after state has degraded their hunting quality by changing/adding season, weapons, and tags. Iowa is the cream of the crop as a whitetail state but that is constantly under attack by special interest groups and folks that fail to see the big picture that constantly want more. Common sense conservation needs to start becoming the prevailing thought. We need to stop adding seasons, tags, & weapons. This current bill is to the benefit$ of corporate profit and not the greater good of Iowa. I truly hope the legislature takes a moment to look around and not become "just another state". Please stop this bill in it's tracks. It is not needed and will only degrade the quality of hunting that we have here in Iowa that is the envy or the rest of the country.We do not need special interest groups like Raven Crossbows representing the best interests of Iowa! STOP ADDING SEASONS, TAGS, & WEAPONS.

02-19-2021

Sam Bricker []

Please do not let crossbows advance further into weapons allowed for deer hunting in Iowa. Iowa is a special start in regards to deer hunting, hunters from around the country wish their states deer hunting was like Iowa. Iowa has great deer hunting and larger bucks compared to nearly every other state. The reason our hunting is so good is because we have no firearm seasons during the rut when deer are most susceptible to hunters, no high power rifles which limits long range shots, and we limit the number of non resident hunters. These are all good things for deer and deer hunters!! Allowing more weapons into our season structure and regulations will ultimately hurt the number of deer and the quality of bucks. Keep Iowa great, keep Iowa a leader in regards to whitetail deer hunting. Ask any hunter that truly cares about the game they pursue and conservation and they can tell you that changing Iowa's structure is detrimental to our vulnerable resource. Iowa is nearly dead last in the country in regards to public land, adding more weapons is not going to add more hunters or sell more licenses and tags because there is not very much public land to hunt and private land is next to impossible to get permission to hunt!!! I am an avid hunter and this would not be a good change.

02-19-2021

Sam Bricker []

This is a terrible bill for hunters in the state of Iowa. If you are a nonresident applying for a coveted Iowa tag your odds of drawing a tag will now be less since the state would mandate that 500 of the tags go to outfitters. Hunting should be a right, not a privilege for those who can afford to pay an outfitter $3000$5000 for a week to shoot a deer in Iowa. This is also a bad thing for Iowa residents as this will only increase outfitters buying up and leasing out private ground for their rich nonresidents that get one of the 500 tags. This will only hurt your own citizens of the state of Iowa that hunt off of permission, labor, or pay a small fee to lease ground themselves, an outfitter will quickly be able to afford to purchase and lease out more ground from under those citizens of that state that are already hunting off of permission, labor, or a small lease once they are getting guaranteed tags from the state and then the price they charge to hunt with them. This is another stepping stone in the wrong direction when comes to being able to hunt. Who regulates outfitters as a business in Iowa? If I start a snow removal business whos to say that I also outfit for deer hunting and then soon I could get tags from the state and let anyone from the country come hunt with me and essentially I can just transfer the tag to whoever I want? You are taking away opportunity from others and your own citizens for by supporting outfitters in Iowa. This will ultimately result in fewer hunters, fewer licenses & tags, and fewer revenue for the state.

02-20-2021

Cody Leech [Leech]

I am opposed to HSB 158. It makes a change that is unneeded and will negatively effect Iowa's deer herd and will lead to further changes that will negatively impact Iowans time spent outdoors. Thank you for your consideration.

02-21-2021

Eric Burling []

Say no to HSB 158Don't let the manufacturers dilute the archery sport by having much superior weapon allowed. I live in Wisconsin where crossbow users have overwhelming taken a higher share of the resources and divided hunters. Review the latest crossbow technology of two shot crossbows and torsion driven crossbows not to mention the airbow,it's a slippers slope.

02-22-2021

Eric Rector []

I am in favor of allowing the crossbow to used during the late split for archery season. If those opposed to the bill are so against it due to some perceived advantage a crossbow gives, then they must also be against today's modern inline muzzleloader that can shoot out to 200300 yds or beyond with extreme accuracy. They must also be against today's ultra modern compound bow that is super quiet and extremely fast. The crossbow is another tool in the choice for equipment that today's hunter should have access to for the late season archery split. The number of people utilizing the late split for archery will be negligible in my opinion. Most hunters have called it a season when the temperatures reach freezing or below. Crossbows during late split would allow extra clothing to stay warm and continue the pursuit of deer.

02-22-2021

Darren TenNapel []

I don't believe outfitters should be allotted a segment of nonresident tags. Tags should be awarded based on the current point system with no other additions.Allotting tags to outfitters will make hunting iowa a pay to play system where the haves a lot can more frequently get their chance at our great resource at a more frequent rate than the haves a little. The current point system already accounts for a small pay to play system that is fair across the board, put in the time, pile the points and hope to get drawn.Ultimately as an Iowan and hunting land owner this doesn't effect me, but it may some day if I ever have to move.

02-22-2021

Chantz Brown []

We as Non resident hunters invest alot of time in your state to hunt. There are lot of us do it your self individuals that would prefer not to pay 510K for a chance at Iowa's quality hunting.This allotment will only crowd public lands more when these "outfitters" start leasing and crowding more people out that can't pay to play.Iowa is the last whitetail destination state that hasn't sold out for the almighty NR money like most other midwest states. I fear this is the beginning of the end right here..Good day