Iowans have a chance tonight to express their opinions about several proposed changes in hunting and trapping regulations for next fall. Perhaps the biggest change would apply to deer hunters.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources wildlife bureau chief Dale Garner says some areas of the state have too many deer, but other areas have dropped below or near department goals. “We would like to reduce the antlerless tags to stabilize the herd,” Garner said.
The proposed changes involve shortening the length of the January deer hunting season, eliminating the November antlerless season and changing the early muzzleloader season to reduce the harvest in the antlerless portion of the deer herd. The proposals are meant to satisfy the concerns of hunters who believe deer reduction efforts have gone too far.
The D.N.R. estimates deer numbers in Iowa are down 30% compared to a high mark in 2006. Iowa hunters, during the recent 2011-12 deer hunting seasons, killed 121,407 deer — down 4.5% from the previous year.
Changes are proposed for waterfowl hunting and trapping as well. “We’re looking to potentially increase quotas for both otters and bobcats,” Garner said. “For migratory birds, we have an opportunity to possibly add a (third) zone to the state, which will impact us for four years, so this is a chance for people to think about what that might do.”
The possible changes will be discussed during public meetings tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at 18 locations across the state.
MEETING SITES:
for those who cannot make the meeting, comments may be emailed to [email protected]
AMES
Ames High School, 20th & Ridgewood
Enter front door and follow hallway straight ahead to back lobby, turn to left and take stairs down. Once downstairs, take left or right to go around auditorium to back hallway to ICN room.
BURLINGTON
Burlington High School, 421 Terrace Drive
Past the small parking lot, park and enter near the back of the IA building.
CARROLL
Carroll High School, 2809 N. Grant Road
Enter north side of the building. Doors will be unlocked approx imately thirty minutes in advance.
CENTERVILLE
Centerville High School, 600 CHS Drive
Enter south side of Simon Estes Auditorium
CLEAR CREEK/MIDDLE AMANA
Clear Creek/Middle Amana Elementary School
3023 220th Trail, Middle Amana
Enter through Library entrance on the north side of building.
CLINTON
Clinton High School, 8th Avenue S & 9th Street
Enter east side of building past the Commons steps at the far end of the large parking lot. Doors will be unlocked one half hour in advance.
COUNCIL BLUFFS
Abraham Lincoln High School, 1205 Bonham Ave.
Enter main entrance of school.
CRESTON
Creston High School, 601 West Townline Road
Enter the south main doors.
DECORAH
Luther College, 700 College Drive
Room is located in the Preus Library
FORT DODGE
St Edmond High School, 501 N 22nd St.
Enter main entrance off N. 22nd Street
JOHNSTON
Johnston High School, 6501 NW 62nd Ave.
Enter south side of building. Left in hall to last hall on R, R to Rm#226 The front doors (on the south side of the building) will be unlocked one half hour before.
LAPORTE CITY
Union High School, 200 Adams Street
Enter through Activities Entrance, turn left just before gym. Classroom will be at the end of the hallway.
MARSHALLTOWN
Marshalltown AEA 267 Regional Office, 909 S 12th Street
OTTUMWA
Ottumwa High School, 501 E 2nd
Southwest Voc. Tech entrance
ONAWA
Onawa West Monona Jr Sr High School
1314 15th Street
Enter the main high school doors closest to parking lot, follow hallway to the rightinto the middle school.
PEOSTA
Northeast Iowa Community College, 10250 Sundown Road
Park on southeast side of main building in lower parking lot. Room 139 will be just inside entrance.
SHELDON
Northwest Iowa Area Community College
603 W Park Street
Building D
SPENCER
Spencer High School, 800 East 3rd Street
South side – West end