Iowans need help

[Prchjerker]

I know this doesnt relate to walleye fishing, but it does relate to our outdoors priveleges.For the first time since 1918, Iowa has a chance to get a dove hunting season.Its taken several years to get the bill through the house, and last week it passed the senate.All thats left is to get the governor to sign the bill.However hes getting alot pressure from out of state animal rights activists.Right now it sounds like hes going to veto the bill, so heres where we need your help.Anyone from Iowa, needs to call 515-281-5211 and voice your opinion for house file 43.Thanks for the help, maybe if we pull together we can get this thing done.

[Nick(Ia)]

I've written, I've faxed, I've called. Let's hope that Governor Vilesack gives the citizens of Iowa a choice! This is the most significant outdoor issue in this state in years. The opposition is now not even trying to hide their anti-hunting and fishing agenda. This is one we'd better win.

[AquaMan]

Good luck with your efforts. I know that here in MN we tried to get dove hunting and what happened was the biggest microscope got put on all our hunting/fishing rights/practices. The concensus was that the legislation would pass on the dove hunting to avoid further scrutiny over other species. It was a real drag and demonstrated what we are up against. Bird feeders will fight that bill to the very end.

I grew up hunting dove and rabbit in MO and it truely is a great outing. Good luck!


AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[IaCraig]

I have little hope of this passing.

1st of all I am not a democrat, so my pesimistic side says Vilesack will probably do the reverse of what I think is makes sense.

2nd of all I felt the general public should have laughed at the opposition's argument that the "dove" is the international symbol of peace so it's criminal to hunt it. Instead the public seems to be embracing this concept.

The world is full of extremists. It seems some people have to be protesting something, or they aren't happy. It doesn't even matter what they are fighting for as long as they ruin someone elses day.

IaCraig

[cisco]

As you may know, Wisconsin finally approved dove hunting, BUT a strong effort is underway to recind the action even before the first dove season is held. Mighty strong opposition out there -- even for crow hunting. Good luck Iowans.

P.S. I, too, cut my teeth on rabbits and doves many years ago in Missouri. Lived in St. Louis, but hunted and fished in the Ozark foothills and Meramec River valleys and backwaters. MO has had dove hunting since before the 1940s.

[Fish-on]

I faxed the governor this a.m. with a simple statement:
"Do not cave in to nonresident special interest activists. SIGN THE DOVE BILL"

This is about a lot more than dove hunting, this is about animal rights fanatics versus sound wildlife conservation practises. I may never hunt doves, but I really feel like this is a battle that we need to win. I hear that comments to the governor are coming in more than 3 to 1 against the bill, mostly from animal rights activists outside the state.

Hope he listens to reason not emotions.

[Bill]

I'm a hunter but I can't understand the nonsense of wanting to hunt a bird that has 1 oz. of meat. We have a legislator in Wisconsin who got a similar law passed last year and the majority of Wisconsin people are opposed to such a hunt. YET the legislature and the governor passed the bill. I'm concerned because we, as hunters, are only making folks more angry at us. ARE WE DOING THE BEST THING?
Think about it.

[Fred_G]

I sincerely hope that Governor Vilsack does veto this bill. I just can't find any good in hunting doves. Please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against hunting, I just don't see the purpose in this one.

I heard an interview the other day with one of our state legislators who stated that dove hunting would provide another recreational opportunity for Iowans. Yet our own legislature will not approve a proposal from our DNR to inrease hunting and fishing license fees so that the DNR can expand and improve wildlife habitat in our state. Somehow this doesn't make any sense. Just my $0.02. Fred

[Nick(Ia)]

Welll Fred, I'm sorry that we can't count on your support for this issue. While you may not see the purpose of this hunt I don't think that you want to stop others from making their own choices about whether to hunt doves or not. The bill sent to the governor is a bill that gives the DNR authority to make decisions about the seasons/limits for migratory birds. This is an issue of whether we want the professionals making these decisions or whether every hunting and fishing season should become a beauty contest for the legislature. This is also(and more importantly) a matter of choice-if you don't want to hunt doves or other critters then don't hunt. Don't tell your neighbors they can't hunt. Please don't support a plan that takes away our right as citizens to make this decision individually. I have no desire to ever hunt doves. I rarely hunt for anything except walleyes anymore but I don't think those that wish to hunt this bird should be prohibited from doing so because some of us don't favor this particular hunt.

[Prchjerker]

Well said Dave.

[cisco]

Granted, you won't fill up on one dove. But, is one bluegill enough? Doves are small and very tasty. Quail (Bobwhite) are also small and tasty. Doves offer a hunting challenge much greater than pheasant. As with woodcock, Hungarian partridge, and ruffed grouse, they are tough to hit. In other words, they offer a sporting challenge -- and, they are abundant.

Anti-hunters will oppose expansion of any type of hunting. The key is to convince the non-hunters. Non-hunters (not anti) are the biggest block of voters.

[joe duck]

I to called the gov office it took a 1/2 hr to get threw RIGHT NOW WE ARE GOINGB THREW ONE OF WORST ICE STORMS IN YEARS AND TO GET TO HUNT DOVES SOUNDS FUN AND CHALLENING AND THE REVENUE SHOULD HELP PHEASANTS

[Fish-on]

This is not about dove hunting. This has become a benchmark issue in which we have some very crucial decisions to make about the future of our rights to hunt and fish. Are we going to let rich, arrogant animal rights groups like PeTA, Humane Society, and the Fund for Animals come into our state with all their money and intimidation and tell us what we can and cannot do? Are we going to manage our wildlife by sound scientific practices or by emotionalism? Are we going to give up our conservation ethic one small piece at a time?

That's what this is about. Forget the doves, I'll probably never hunt doves. This is about a lot more than doves.

You've got me all worked up. I'm going to fax the governor again this morning.

[Prchjerker]

Bernie made a very good point.Why should we the people of Iowa or any state faced with a situation sit back and let out of state interests groups decide our laws for us?Its time for us as sportsmen-woman, to take a stand and let the government know were not going to take it laying down.Today its doves, tommorow
it could be walleyes or deer.

[guideman]

Hi all you Iowegens, I hope you and the people of Iowa are the ones that decide what is right for you. If your govenor bends to outside opinions he is thinking only of himself and not what is good for the people of his state. I to am sick of people with their own agendas telling me what is good for me. Next they'll be telling us that we don't need a walleye season or a deer hunting season. I don't hunt nor do I own a gun but we all have the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

guideman.

[AquaMan]

LAST EDITED ON Jan-30-01 AT 01:17PM (CST)[p]Cisco, How old are you, if you don't mind my asking? I went to HS in KC (grad in 1980) and College in St. Louis (Grad in 1994). Hunted and fished the Ozarks from Northern Arkansas (We had property on the White River near Yellville) to southern MO. (On Loke-of-the-O, Table Rock and others around Branson to Springfield) Did a ton of dove and duck in central MO in a town called Moberly and over by Swan Lake. First taste of razorback in Ark, trout (Brown and Rainbow) on the White, bobwhite/quail/turkey in the woods, etc... and of course Bass. Great area for a wide variety of game. Never got to deer hunt, though.

Sorry for the distraction.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Minnesota]

I caught Prchjerker trying to build a dove stand in my back yard. He had some cold ones so I said it was ok.

:)
Minnesota

[Prchjerker]

Ya
I was going to lure them in with a weasel spoon tipped with a boog. L.O.L.Couldnt refuse that one Holmes...

[Minnesota]

That only works during dove spawning season!!

[Minnesota]

Clearly, the doves are now in post spawn. I would go with the standard jig and boog combo now.

[IaCraig]

Is anyone suprised??? From what I understand from this mornings news, Gov Vilesack sent a memo to the state legislature vetoing this bill before it ever made it to his desk. I hope PETA gives Vilesack an honorary life membership for this one, maybe it will make the public realize who he listens to.

I am another Iowa sportsman who would probably not have hunted doves either. However I believe the govenor should have listened to the people who pay the taxes (license fees) and the state biologists who know the ecological impact(DNR) instead of the human interest groups.

There, I vented, I feel better

IaCraig

[AquaMan]

Ahhh, that would be Grad in 1984 from St. Louis..eheheh, I WISH I were that young again. :-)

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[AquaMan]

I'm telling you, the fact that he vetoed this bill is ultimately in your favor. The heat ALL hunters would have received for that type of hunt would have put a few good supporters out in the cold. Even a good chunk of hunters are against dove hunting, so you are at odds right away. Leave it be and enjoy the hunting you have. Can't say this is any surprise since we had the same deal here in MN.

It is a darn shame and I'm sorry to hear that, but that is the world we ALL created.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Nick(Ia)]

Tragic...
We have entered a new era when every hunting, fishing and wildlife initiative will become a fight, a popularity contest. It was particularly disappointing to see so many well-meaning sportsmen in opposition to this measure. This happened because the anti forces were better able to define the debate on this issue. They made this a dove-hunting, emotion-laden, forget the facts, ignore the long-range implications issue. We failed to make this a rights and management issue. I'm upset with the Governor and will spend some effort and money to unseat him. I'm upset with the WFLA for their failure to mobilize their supporters and have a winning game plan. I'm as upset with the sportsmen and women who "sat this one out" as much as those that were taken in by the siren song of the anti movement. The huggers are emboldened by this victory and we will see ballot issues in Iowa to stop or limit our hunting and fishing rights. Tighten down the straps, rough weather is a comin...

[Prchjerker]

I hope our beloved jacka## Governor enjoys his remaining time in office, because itll be his only term.Maybe he should move to California and run.

[bob oh]

I think you're wrong. Ohio stated hunting doves several years ago (I have old timers and can't remember exactly when) and it has not affected other hunting one bit. In fact, after a couple of years of the hunt, the opposition faded. Actually I find that the "average" person doesn't care whether they are hunted or not once they understand that they are migratory and have a very short life span. The only people really upset with the hunt are the same people who are against anything they don't want to do.
bob

[Prchjerker]

I just learned that the governor hasnt even been presented the bill yet, and the Des Moines register has printed that hes vetoed the bill.Theyre still planning an orange hat rally at the stae house to support the bill.The liberal extremists sure are tricky ***holes.

[The Rebel]

Mr. Perchjerker lets keep the talk clean and not stoop to a lower level.

[Tell your idiot governor]

Out of state anti hunting opinions have no place in his decision. And if you are an out of stater, worry about you own state because it is the same 18 anti huntin eco Nazi a$$holes that are stirring up all the trouble

[AquaMan]

Check the bill. It may include other topics that are less favorable and caused it to be junked before it ever got started. Make sure you have all the info before you jump to conclusions about your Governer's abilities.

Wouldn't you feel foolish if the bill also included some wacko agenda that also limited the number of shells you could carry while in the field or some goofy thing like that. I have seen that before. We passed the Lottery here based on the premise that the majority of the profit to be distributed to the wildlife funds. We were lead to belive the DNR was the primary benifactor. HA! The Humain Society and several other less respcted groups (You know who they are) benifited as well. It was a "tit for tat" deal that we were never really briefed on fully. I can only say that anyone who did not get all the facts up front cannot complain.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[AquaMan]

Kudos to you then. We have a stronger opposition group here and a Legislature that was affraid of loosing votes. They would rather avoid confrontation then stand up for the majority. Additionally, the bill was "packed" with other topics that were created to kill the bill.

I wish our FULL TIME politicians could get their act together.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[fuzzman]

I must admit I don't know all the facts about this bill, but I do support hunting and fishing. The only reason I heard from the governor that he vetoed the bill was that he felt the "majority" of people in the state were against hunting doves. I don't think that's an excuse because aren't hunters the minority anyway? If they polled the entire state wouldn't the majority of people be against pheasant hunting, deer hunting, etc?

[fuzzman]

I must admit I don't know all the facts about this bill, but I do support hunting and fishing. The only reason I heard from the governor that he vetoed the bill was that he felt the "majority" of people in the state were against hunting doves. I don't think that's an excuse because aren't hunters the minority anyway? If they polled the entire state wouldn't the majority of people be against pheasant hunting, deer hunting, etc?

[Fish-on]

Hey Aqua Man, thanks for your help in getting my water heater fixed, by the way. With all due respect, you are dead wrong on this one. The bill has been checked and rechecked. This is the fourth time we tried to pass a dove bill in as many years. It's a good bill supporting sound conservation practises. The DnR is solidly behind it, but because the DNR has become so politically motivated, they've been effectively muzzled by the governor's office. The left-leaning governor simply caved in to more money from out of state interests. Period.

I think the WLFA did a fairly good job, but they are spread very thin these days among all the nonsense they have to battle in so many states. I do not believe this was sold properly to the sportsmen. Most sportsmen still have the idea that they may never hunt doves so it doesn't effect them. Too bad.

[AquaMan]

LAST EDITED ON Jan-31-01 AT 03:48PM (CST)[p]Alright! Glad to hear you were able to get the heater fixed before you had problems.

As far as the bill goes, my observations are just based on the battle we had here. However, as I stated before, too many people were left out in the cold about this issue and we did not have enough support. I suspect you had the same problem. But you need to be careful about a wideswept statement about money interest. What funding did he receive from what "out-state" groups? How was it applied? Is this public knowledge/fact or are you hypothisizing? Not being criticle, just asking.

Further, the non-hunting AND some of the hunting groups were not in favor of our bill for a variety of reasons. Talk with your local chapters of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Wild Turkey Fed, Grouse Society, etc. You will find, as I did with ours, that they typically shyed away from that bill, too, in an effort to keep the "anti" lime light off them. The shell shock would have been too much for some of those groups to handle. They did want to risk funding and support for that fight. In otherwords, it was not their battle.

Don't get me wrong, I AM in favor of dove hunting. In fact, I am going to Texas next Fall to do some. I am equally frustrated at the political shenanagans, but in the end, the pressure was too great here and it was said that we shall live to hunt another day rather then paril over the dove, and I accept that though I do not like it.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"