Iowa Walk In Hunting Access Program Info
Mar 29, 2011 11:09:08 GMT -6
Post by feathhd on Mar 29, 2011 11:09:08 GMT -6
Thank you for your recent comments regarding the hunting access program proposed for Iowa. This has been a highly successful program for other states and we are very pleased to have received federal funding to investigate similar opportunities for Iowa’s landowners and hunters.
As we evaluate the comments that have been received so far, it is evident that there are still a number of misconceptions about the proposal. We hope this communication provides you with a better understanding of some of the specific details included in this proposal to improve wildlife habitat in Iowa. Specifically, we want people to understand the following:
· The cost of the program is being paid for by the Federal Farm Bill and from habitat fees paid for by hunters when they purchase hunting licenses. It is not being paid for by any state general fund revenues.
· The program is entirely voluntary on the part of landowners. Just as other incentives offered by the federal Farm Bill such as buffer strips, CRP or soil erosion control structures such as terraces that receive cost share, participation is completely up to individuals wanting to participate.
· While there are other Farm Bill-related programs targeted to wildlife habitat, this program being proposed is the only one that provides incentives to allow access for hunters during the appropriate seasons.
· Landowners have broad liability protection under this program. Existing state law (Chapter 461C) already provides liability protection to landowners offering free recreational opportunities. Hunters will not be paying landowners under this program, so that existing state law applies.
Iowa has had a long tradition of hunting, but as farms have become larger, finding access to areas to hunt has become more challenging. Iowa has less than 5 percent of its land in public ownership and very few acres managed for wildlife habitat.
In South Dakota where there is a public access program made available by willing landowners and significant efforts have been made to improve habitat, pheasant hunting alone generated $219 million in economic activity in 2010. In Iowa, it is estimated that about $60 million in economic activity was generated by pheasant hunting, less than half of the $200 million generated in 1996. Increased habitat and access for hunters has the ability to provide additional tourism dollars for the state, primarily in rural areas of Iowa.
As we evaluate the comments that have been received so far, it is evident that there are still a number of misconceptions about the proposal. We hope this communication provides you with a better understanding of some of the specific details included in this proposal to improve wildlife habitat in Iowa. Specifically, we want people to understand the following:
· The cost of the program is being paid for by the Federal Farm Bill and from habitat fees paid for by hunters when they purchase hunting licenses. It is not being paid for by any state general fund revenues.
· The program is entirely voluntary on the part of landowners. Just as other incentives offered by the federal Farm Bill such as buffer strips, CRP or soil erosion control structures such as terraces that receive cost share, participation is completely up to individuals wanting to participate.
· While there are other Farm Bill-related programs targeted to wildlife habitat, this program being proposed is the only one that provides incentives to allow access for hunters during the appropriate seasons.
· Landowners have broad liability protection under this program. Existing state law (Chapter 461C) already provides liability protection to landowners offering free recreational opportunities. Hunters will not be paying landowners under this program, so that existing state law applies.
Iowa has had a long tradition of hunting, but as farms have become larger, finding access to areas to hunt has become more challenging. Iowa has less than 5 percent of its land in public ownership and very few acres managed for wildlife habitat.
In South Dakota where there is a public access program made available by willing landowners and significant efforts have been made to improve habitat, pheasant hunting alone generated $219 million in economic activity in 2010. In Iowa, it is estimated that about $60 million in economic activity was generated by pheasant hunting, less than half of the $200 million generated in 1996. Increased habitat and access for hunters has the ability to provide additional tourism dollars for the state, primarily in rural areas of Iowa.