Mortgaging our Outdoor Future

[RJW-Host]

I'd like to hear your comments about license fee increases.  I know they have dropped them for now, but I think it's important to discuss how outdoors men and women feel about the issue.  It seemed to drum up a lot of criticism, and I'm curious on what side of the fence we're on.  IF you're against the increase tell us why and how you propose our parks, lakes, animals and habitat can be managed in a better way.  I think we'd all agree it takes money to take care of the outdoors, so tell us where and how is the best way to generate these funds.

[Dan K]

Rob,

As you know we have had many discussions on this subject.  I feel that in general the DNR does a pretty good job of managing Iowa's outdoors.  I love to fish, but I am much more involved in hunting than fishing, so I will speak on the hunting aspect.  I think part of the problem is that the DNR has to go through the state legislature for too much. 

I don't understand why politicians, a lot of whom don't hunt or fish, have as much power as they do in regards to DNR policy.  I think the DNR has done a great job managing Iowa's deer population.  I think that a lot of their policies such as season dates, bag limits and weapon restrictions have made Iowa argueably the best place in the country to deer hunt.  I think that this should give them some credibility and leeway to make decisions on their own, or answer to a small commission of involved politicians instead of the whole legislature.  I find it hard to believe that a representative from Des Moines or Cedar Rapids really cares about hunting and fishing policies.  I think they are more apt to use these votes to gain leverage on other items they want votes on for thier own districts.  I understand this is how politics works, but when you have a credible body like the DNR, I think they should be given the benefit of the doubt that they have our best interests at heart.

As for the license fee increase, I can say I wasn't very happy when I saw it.  The reason I wasn't happy was because the headline I saw was "34% increase in licenses".  Having said that, after reading the article, and seeing why the increases were needed I felt differently.  I understand why they were going to increase the fees, but I think the way it came out and the timing was bad.  I also didn't like the non resident fee increase.  $570 +/- for a deer license is rediculous.  I am sure I will take some heat for that, but that is a whole different arguement.

So, I don't think paying a little more for a license to ensure the quality of our hunting and fishing stays where it is or gets better is a bad thing.  I can't remember the exact numbers, but if you were hunting and fishing the increase would have been less than a tank of gas for most people.  I know for me, buying a tank of gas is not going to keep me out of a treestand this fall.

Sorry for the long read.

[BBain]

I feel that as long as it goes to "Better" our hunting and fishing, it's a good thing. Also I would agree that it came across in a bad way and timing was not good. I am in retail so I know where the state is coming from. I don't agree on the out-of-state fee increase. That is way to high! I have family in Missouri so we spend allot of time down there and it's half the price!
As long as they keep improving things I will keep paying!
Just my 2 cents.

[bass_101]

I think it all boils down to this: Will we be willing to help pay for something we cherish so much. If we want to continue to fish such great fisheries, we are the ones who are going to have to fund that, especially looking at it from the point of view of a long term sence.  Funding lake renovations now will improve fishing for the future.  Isn't that what we're gunning for?  Look at the prices the states surrounding us are paying also.  I know Nebraska is 25 bucks or somewhere near there.  We have a lot to be thankful for when you put into perspective the amount of fishing a year long fishing license will get you.  I know the price increasing isn't going to keep me from fishing and I hope it doesn't anyone else either. 

[skippy]

Im not much of a writer or a politician { BUT } I am a father and I work hard to pay the bills and everything els. My thing is fishing is somthing we can do togather and not have to spend tons of money. I do worry about low and fixed income homes one comes to mind single parrent 3 kids one income grate kids by the way. I keep extra poles for them to go or they wouldn't get to mom can't afford that. I agree it takes money to keep parks and lakes up but are youth is the future for one thing and many lessons are learnd. Sorry I got on my soap box. What about getting more groups involved Like Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and others to donate time and help Like the Habitat For Humanity homes projects/ maybe some fund raisers I dont know I just get real concernd about the loss of the simple things in life and being a family when it all comes down to MONEY