Just two years after establishing a dove hunting season, Iowa sportsmen again find themselves facing its threatened closure. Animal rights and anti-hunting groups, upset over the newly created season, are pushing Iowa House File 291, sponsored by Representative Mary Mascher (D-Iowa City). The measure would ban mourning dove hunting in the state by removing them as a game bird from state law.
“Anti-hunting organizations have not given up their fight to ban dove hunting,” said Evan Heusinkveld, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance director of government affairs. “Iowa sportsmen must contact their state representatives in opposition to this hunting ban.”
In 2011, after more than a decade of work by sportsmen, Iowa became the 41st state to permit dove hunting when the state legislature passed Senate File 464. Doves are one of the most popular and abundant game animals in the country.
Take Action! Iowa sportsmen should contact their state representatives and ask them to vote no on House File 291. Visit USSA’s Legislative Action Center to find your state representative’s contact information.
