Protection From Hunters Needed
Herman Lenz, a longtime C.A.S.H. member in Iowa, has suffered from a lack of hunting laws to protect people who live where there is hunting. We have weapons that now shoot farther and are more lethal at a distance. There are more homes in rural areas, and people with high powered weapons who can be anywhere without reporting their presence. Herman came up with the excellent suggestions here after years of being victimized. C.A.S.H. sent Herman's suggestions to members of the Natural Resources and Judiciary Committees of both the Iowa House and Senate. 65 letters in total were mailed out. We ask our IA members to please follow up. If you are in another state, please consider going for similar legislation.
As residents of Iowa are contacting us asking for help, we urge you to craft a bill or a series of bills to protect citizens in your district and across the state of Iowa from abuses by hunters.
SIGNED PERMISSION LETTERS TO HUNT FROM LANDOWNERS
Hunters must carry dated and signed permission letters from landowners while hunting on or shooting into their property. They must produce the letters upon demand by enforcement personnel or landowners' neighbors. Failure to do so will be a felony and conviction will result in one year in prison and a minimum fine of $1,000. Forged or falsified letters will double the penalty.
Law enforcement agents should initiate the charges rather than the landowner.
Rationale: Property owners fear retaliation and often do not press charges.
Monies collected should go to the enforcement department
Rationale: This will be an incentive to the personnel of police, sheriff or conservation departments to enforce the law.
BLAZE ORANGE REQUIRED WHILE HUNTING
Blaze orange should be worn while hunting regardless of species hunted.
Wearing white and camouflage while carrying a firearm or another weapon should be illegal.
Rationale: The public should have a right to know where rifle toting people are lurking for their own safety.
OUTLAW HUNTING WITH A FIREARM THAT HAS A PROJECTILE DISTANCE OF OVER ONE-HALF MILE
Outlaw hunting with a firearm that has a projectile distance of over one-half mile. Hunting with centerfire rifles should be outlawed.
PROHIBIT THE DNR FROM LENGTHENING SEASONS FOR "SMALL GAME"
Rationale: The lengthening of seasons must be done through the legislature and the regulatory powers of the DNR must be curbed. The DNR's lengthening of fox and coyote seasons, for example, presents a hazard from firearms to the public for a long time during the year. To allow the DNR the leeway of lengthening seasons is to cut off the public from any control over their own safety. It is well-known that the DNR sets seasons on behalf of the hunters and firearms industry and the public's only recourse is through its elected representatives. We ask that the legislature take back control from the DNR by restricting its season-setting regulatory powers.
ENFORCE THE LAW AGAINST THE USE OF MOTORIZED VEHICLES FOR CHASING WILDLIFE
While there is a law against the use of motorized vehicles to chase animals, the practice continues to be done. The use of motorized vehicles should be a felony offense carrying a year in prison and a $1,000 fine and the law needs to be enforced and incentives offered to enforcement officers.
Rationale: The use of motorized vehicles creates further noise, pollution and hazard to people, pets or agricultural animals.
The bill proposals above have been crafted after hearing the concerns of Iowa residents who feel that their safety and rights are being compromised by hunters. Please contact me at your earliest convenience so that we may work together on this important matter. Your reply will be greatly appreciated.
– Joe Miele