Iowa Governor Terry Branstad recently signed legislation into law authorizing a mourning dove hunting season. According to a release bu the National Rifle Association, the legislation passed both houses of the state legislature with broad bi-partisan support despite “the heavy opposition of anti-hunting groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).”
Originally sponsored by state Senator Dick Dearden (D-34), and managed on the House floor by Representative Rich Arnold (R-72), SF 464 authorizes the Natural Resource Commission to add Iowa to the list of 40 other states whose conservation and local economies are benefited by recognizing this type of hunting. The NRA said doves are the most popular and abundant game bird hunted in America.
”On behalf of NRA’s 4 million members, I’d like to thank Gov. Branstad and the legislative supporters of this important bill for ensuring scientific wildlife management trumped the emotion of the opposition,” concluded Cox. “Resurrecting dove hunting in Iowa is a great step in continuing to preserve Iowa’s proud hunting heritage.”