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The
Iowa DNR is launching a new campaign this week called “Let’s Go Hunting” to
encourage more people to either try hunting, to get back into hunting, or for
passionate hunters to share their favorite pastime with a beginner.
According
to Dale Garner, division administrator of the DNR’s Conservation and Recreation
Division, the number one reason someone tries hunting for the first time is
because they received an invitation from an experienced hunter; often a parent,
family member or adult mentor.
“Many
people think of passing on hunting traditions to kids, and that’s definitely
important,” said Garner. “But we are encouraging hunters to also consider
inviting an adult friend, co-workers or spouse, really anyone who has an
interest in the outdoors, in discovering a new organic meat source, or even
just spending quality time with friends and family.”
The
multi-channel campaign includes the development of new videos that showcase
“why” people hunt, along with a web page and a social media photo contest,
among other campaign components. The campaign will also promote hunter
education, the Apprentice License, and hunting-related links and applications,
including the DNR’s online license sales site.
Campaign
partners include Izaak Walton League, the National Turkey Federation, Pheasants
Forever, Quail Forever, Raised Hunting, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari
Club International-Iowa Chapter and Whitetails Unlimited.
The campaign kicked off on October 16 and will run through
mid-December.
To view videos and connect with helpful hunting information
to get started, go to: www.iowadnr.gov/letsgohunting
Media Contact: Megan Wisecup, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-238-4968
Iowa’s young hunters will get to experience the first cackle and flush of the year during the youth only pheasant season Oct. 21-22.
The residents-only youth season gives Iowans age 15 and younger the opportunity to hunt for rooster pheasants without purchasing a license, habitat fee or taking hunter education. Youths must hunt under direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older that has a valid hunting license and habitat fee.
Special youth only seasons allows young hunters an opportunity for success without pressure or competition from other hunters. Only the youth are allowed shoot pheasants and they may bag one rooster per day.
Tips for a Safe Hunt
- Iowa law requires hunters to wear at least one of
the following articles of visible, external apparel with at least 50 percent of
its surface area solid blaze orange: hat, cap, vest, coat, jacket, sweatshirt,
shirt or coveralls.
- Hunters should stay in communication with each other
and to stay in a straight line while pushing a field.
- Discuss the hunting plan that spells out how the
hunt will take place, each person’s role in the hunt and where each person will
be at all times.
- Know exactly where
standers will be located, especially when hunting standing corn or tall switch
grass to avoid having the standers get shot by the pushers as they near the end
of the field and the birds begin to flush.
- Make sure to unload the gun when crossing a fence
or other obstacle to avoid it accidentally discharging.
- Properly identify the target and what is beyond it
especially if hunting in fields that still have standing corn.
- If hunting with a dog, never lay a loaded gun
against a fence. Hunting dogs are
usually excited to be in the field and could knock the gun over causing it to
discharge.
- Share the hunt. Take someone new along to help
keep Iowa’s great hunting tradition alive.
A rule change
approved by the administrative rules committee during 2017 Iowa legislative
session allows hunters who have a valid permit to carry to carry a handgun
while hunting deer under an archery tag. The change was included as part of a
gun rules package approved by the committee.
Hunters may not use a
handgun to shoot a deer during the Oct. 1-Dec. 1 portion of the archery season.
Hunters who do not have a permit to carry may not have a handgun in their
possession while hunting under an archery tag.
A handgun is a legal
method of take for the late muzzleloader season.
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