By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States Coordinator On April 16, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Central Midwestern States Coordinator Joel Hodgdon joined the Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and members of the state’s sportsmen’s community at the Butch Olofson Shooting Range. Newly renovated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Iowa DNR staff guided both new…
On February 13, members of the Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a sportsmen’s breakfast in the Capitol. Representatives from the Iowa hunting and angling community, representatives from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, allied industry members, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Central Midwestern States Coordinator Joel Hodgdon, and Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Kim Reynolds were…
On September 22, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds became the 36th member of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC). The GSC is a bipartisan caucus of Governors united to protect and advance the interests of America’s sportsmen and women, as well as professional fish and wildlife management. Guided by Co-Chair Governor Steve Bullock (MT), Co-Chair Governor Phil…
On September 20, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) member Governor Pete Ricketts hosted a proclamation signing ceremony in honor of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The following day, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds hosted a signing ceremony recognizing National Hunting and Fishing Day in Iowa. The proclamations recognized the immense contributions of Nebraskan and Iowan hunters and…
On July 10, state legislators from across the Midwest came together with representatives from the sportsmen’s community to discuss priorities for hunting conservation organizations for the 2018 Farm Bill reauthorization. The reception took place during the Council of State Governments Midwestern Legislative Conference held in Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Terry…
An important piece of legislation, Iowa H 574, is currently in the House Ways and Means Committee for consideration. H 574 would increase hunting and fishing license fees to provide additional support for professional fish, wildlife, and natural resource management by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This bill is sponsored by the House…
On March 14, the Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a luncheon and panel discussion which included conservation experts from across the state who spoke about the future of hunting and fishing in Iowa. Members of the caucus, representatives from local sportsmen’s groups, and industry partners were in attendance. The panel, which included representatives from the…
On July 15, members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) gathered in Des Moines, Iowa for a reception hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). Held in conjunction with the National Governors Association (NGA) Summer Meeting, this reception provided a venue for governors and stakeholders to come together in support of conservation and share achievements,…
Last week, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus former Co-Chair and current member Governor Terry Branstad (IA) signed two pro-sportsmen’s bills into law, advancing the interests of sportsmen and women in the Hawkeye State. On March 30, Gov. Branstad signed into law House Bill 2342, authorizing the electronic signing of all hunting, fishing and fur harvester licenses. This…
Recently, the Iowa Legislature passed HF 2279 – a bill legalizing the ownership of firearm suppressors in the Hawkeye State. The bill will now be sent to the Governor’s desk for final approval. HF 2279, formally known as HB 2043, passed through the House on February 23 (with a vote of 74-24) and the Senate…
On April 8, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) Co-Chair, Governor Terry Branstad signed SB 392, creating Iowa’s first apprentice hunting program, which allows interested hunters 16 years old or older to hunt with a mentor for two seasons before having to complete a hunter safety course. This “try before you buy” approach has been adopted in…
Governor Terry Branstad (IA), Co-Chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) since 2014, has been a stalwart leader for the sportsmen and women of Iowa, and his actions today exhibit that his commitment to our time-honored traditions remain strong as ever. On April 1, Governor Branstad signed a proclamation officially recognizing September 26, 2015 as…