The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting several town hall-style meetings across the state to update sportsmen and discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules/regulations, as well as other topics as requested.
Last year, sportsmen in the neighboring state of Nebraska experienced an attack on their outdoor heritage when discussions involved a potential diversion of millions of dollars from the Game Fund to the General Fund. Thankfully, that discussion was halted in its tracks.
Unfortunately, sportsmen around the nation are becoming more familiar with animal extremists, other radical elements, and even our so-called “friends” working to cancel our way of life forever.
There has never been a more important time in our history than now to protect our way of life. The only way we will be able to slow extremists down is by being more actively involved and engaged in the process of protecting our values, rights, and heritage at every level.
Iowa sportsmen will have the opportunity to do just that at these meetings. It is important for sportsmen to attend as comments from these meetings will be considered by the DNR prior to proposing changes to hunting rules and regulations to the Natural Resources Commission during a regular public meeting for consideration.
Meeting dates, times and locations
- Glenwood, Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m., Southwest Iowa Sportman’s Club, 22869 Jamett Road
- Waverly, Feb. 17, 6 p.m., Waverly Public Library, 1500 W. Bremer Avenue
- Bloomfield, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., Pioneer Ridge Nature Center, 1339 Hwy. 63
- Boone, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., Wildlife Research Station, 1436 255th Street
- Burlington, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., Starr’s Cave Nature Center, 11627 Starr’s Cave Park Road
- Chariton, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m., Pin Oak Lodge, 45996 State Hwy. 14
- Charles City, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., The Pub on the Cedar, 101 North Jackson Street
- Decorah, Feb. 18, 7 p.m., Franklin W. Olin Building, Room 102, Luther College, 700 College Drive, next to the Prues Library
- Des Moines, Feb. 18, 6:45 p.m., Des Moines Izaak Walton, 4343 George Flagg Parkway
- Hinton, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m., Dennis L. Sohl Center for Outdoor Learning, Hillview Recreation Area, 25601 C60
- Spencer, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m., Iowa Lakes Community College, 1900 Grand Ave. Suite B1, Entrance #1-West side of the North Mall
- Ventura, Feb. 18, 6 p.m., Clear Lake Wildlife Unit Office, 15326 Balsam Ave.
- Algona, Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Tietz Entrepreneurial Center, Algona campus of Iowa Lakes Community College, 2111 Hwy 169 North. Attendees should enter through the southwest door.
- Iowa City, Feb. 19, 6 p.m., Johnson County Extension Office, 3109 Old Hwy 218 South
- Maquoketa, Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Hurstville Interpretive Center, 18670 63rd Street
- Perry, Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m., Forest Park Museum administration building, 14581 K Avenue
- Toledo, Feb 19, 6 p.m., Tama County Nature Center at Otter Creek Lake Park, 2283 Park Road
- Creston, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Performing Arts Building multi-purpose room (124), 1201 West Townline Street
- Lake View, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m., Speaker Park Shelter House, 418 North Blossom Street
- Okoboji, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Maser Monarch Lodge, 22785 Nature Center Road
The DNR and the commission must hear from us, the sportsmen, if we want to protect our heritage. If we don’t, you can guarantee that the animal extremists will fill the void. They are already destroying our hunting, fishing and trapping traditions from the inside-out in other states. We cannot let that happen in the Hawkeye State.
We each must make a commitment to ourselves and future generations to stand up to fight, protect and defend against the rising tide of animal extremism. When America’s sportsmen stand together, we remain our nation’s most powerful political force. It is time we take back what is ours by ensuring we stay fully engaged in the fight.
Share this alert with your family, friends and fellow sportsmen. Urge them to attend one of the town hall meetings. Our values must be secured today, and together, we can secure our cherished traditions for future generations.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance guarantees hunting, fishing and trapping for the American sportsman now and forever. We’re there when sportsmen need us most. We are the only organization specifically created to protect the individual hunter, angler and trapper – no matter the threat. We will never compromise when it comes to defending our way of life in the courts, in the legislatures, in the public square and at the ballot box. We make this promise to the American sportsman: we will never give up and never give in while proudly securing our future against those seeking to destroy our values, beliefs, and traditions. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
