Here we go again, now MO, IL, to probably follow.
Iowa Senate Approves New Deer Bill
DES MOINES, IA--The Iowa Senate approved a bill last week that aims to reduce the state's white-tailed deer population by as many as 135,000 animals next year.
Sen. Dennis Black's (D-IA) Senate Bill 206 seeks to reduce Iowa's burgeoning deer population primarily by increasing the number of free deer hunting licenses for resident landowners and tenants. However, other provisions of the bill include:
Increasing the state's general nonresident hunting license fee from $80 to $100. In addition, a nonresident hunter who buys an any-sex deer license would also be required to purchase an additional antlerless deer license for $100.
Creating a $1 deer hunting license surcharge. The additional money, expected to total $355,000 a year, would be used to expand a program in which meat processors are paid to process donated venison for prisons and food pantries.
The bill would not increase the number of nonresident deer permits Iowa makes available. It would, however, remove the state's cap on antlerless tags.