Winchester Ammunition conducted a survey of 1600 centerfire rifle hunters and the results were published by our ally the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The study shows that 60% of hunters who use a centerfire rifle prefer that of the Armalite and Avtomat Kalashnikova.
It should come as no surprise that the two most popular platforms in the world are the tool of choice when harvesting animals for nourishment. With the modularity of the AR and the reliability of the AK, they’re both a proven and effective choice.
We’ve heard for years the left proclaiming that “AR’s aren’t for hunting!” This study proves that the most popular weapons of choice for protecting liberty and filling the freezer are that of the modern sporting rifle. Below is a quote from someone who likely in casual conversation says “I support the Second Amendment but…”
The Tampa Bay Times transcribed Nelson’s Fox & Friends appearance, where he said, in part: “I want you to know I grew up on a ranch. I have grown up with guns. I have hunted all my life. I hunt with my son still. An AR-15 is not for hunting, it’s for killing. And the question is, should this be a legal weapon in our society?”
From competition, conservation and casual use, it’s hard to beat the AR. With it being capable of hosting many calibers, from shotgun and .22 up to 45.70 and more. The ability to simply swap an upper to change calibers makes it ideal for any situation and Americans any aged(responsibly).
The AK has been used in combat since it’s inception, unlike the AR. It is an unstoppable weapon system, rain, mud, or heavy abuse won’t slow it down. They’re the only good thing that has come from Communism. The first time I was ever able to fire an AK was in Afghanistan. Who knows what that rifle had seen, killed, or saved. All I know is it was on the good guys side, it’s wood was weathered, finish was non existent but it still fired like it was brand new. No telling how accurate it was as I fired it full auto into a berm. Nonetheless, a solid choice for hunting where it’s permitted.
Here is the article from which the information was pulled.
In the comments, tell us what your favorite platform and caliber is for harvesting wild game and please consider becoming a member of the Iowa Firearms Coalition today!
Scott Stanley of Lacona shares the heartbreaking story of how the ATF’s new zero-tolerance policy forced the popular Stanley Hunting Center to close its doors. Stanley reached out to Iowa Senators Joni Ernst and Charles Grassley for assistance but didn’t get any help. The ATF cited paperwork errors for revoking Stanley’s Federal Firearms License, but as he tells IFC chair, John McLaughlin, there were a total of just seven data entry errors of more than 55,000 handwritten data fields that had to be filled out, and none resulted in a prohibited possessor obtaining a firearm.
Turkey hunting in Iowa just got a bit more fun and added some flexibility. 41 other states allow this, and Iowa is joining them, finally. It’s pretty simple stuff, actually. Ripped right from the Senate File (SF2334):
“The commission shall authorize a person hunting turkey with a license that authorizes the use of a shotgun to use a caliber .410 shotgun or a 28-gauge shotgun. A caliber .410 shotgun or a 28-gauge shotgun used for hunting turkey shall only shoot shot not smaller than shot size number 10.”
You’ll find that new subsection in 483A.7 when updated.
But, this wasn’t without some hurdles. It seems like folks really like back door lead bans and love slipping them in wherever and whenever they can. IFC has fought this alongside NRA and NSSF for years and many people work to get the proverbial camel’s nose in, right under the tent. Check out HF2370, which was claimed to be a ‘companion’ bill to the one signed by Governor Reynolds, and look closely at the language…
“shall only shoot tungsten shot”
Doesn’t seem like much, does it? But that’s how lead bans start. Thankfully, we avoided that. Makes you wonder how that tidbit found its way into the House bill draft in the beginning, doesn’t it? Both, IFC and NSSF were particularly displeased to find this in the House File. IFC and NSSF were both glad to see the Senate File move and ultimately become signed by Governor Reynolds. You should take a moment to thanks these folks, as the new law will take effect, July 1st, 2022.
Oh, in case you’re wondering how your Representative or Senator voted on this or any other piece of legislation the Iowa Firearms Coalition monitors and shapes? Go to our IFCPAC.org site and follow our Bill Tracker and review our Legislative Scorecard to see how folks truly rank. Many will tell you or imply they support you, but their votes don’t lie. This vital tool is FREE for all. Use it.
Why should I invest in an IFC membership you ask? Because we’re working on for you, day and night, year-round, even when and if you haven’t supported us yet. This is a prime example. We caught this potential problem and got rid of it. JOIN IFC TODAY. Why? Because we almost ended up with this:
The Iowa Firearms Coalition consists of many avid hunters, just as much as we put value in the ethical harvest of game, we put value in sharing the most up to date information regarding the DNR. The following is a very important list of events we would like to encourage our members and followers to attend.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested. Click Here For Full Story
As a First Responder, Veteran, and hunter I can’t stress the importance of carrying first aid equipment while out on a hunt to include a quality tourniquet. The video below Iowa Firearms Chairman John Mclaughlin shares with us the importance of a quality TQ and first aid. Enjoy, and remember to please like, comment, and subscribe to our Youtube. If you like what we do and want to help out, shoot us an email at info@iowafc.org and join our ranks Membership
You read that headline correctly. The CBD (Center for Biological Diversity) has a long track record for chipping away at hunting and fishing. Their name is a sham. They’ll not stop until they remove the option to hunt or fish on public properties. Then, I have no doubt, they’ll continue working to remove your right to do the same with your own property. This is the way they handle things. First, manipulate the public domain and then push the momentum over into the private sector. The DBD has filed a lawsuit in Montana federal district court making crazy claims about lead and harm to the wildlife and public land. They love using a naturally occurring mineral as a claim that a naturally occurring mineral-rich land will die resulting from naturally occurring minerals being introduced.
You read the headline correctly, folks. I was glancing down through some headlines and came across an article in bowhuntingmag.com that floored me. There is an initiative afoot in Oregon that seeks to criminalize harvesting fish or game. Self-defense is apparently the only exception to a full ban on the harvest of any animal by hunting, fishing, or trapping. It goes further. Additionally, it criminalizes slaughter for food and aided common breeding practices. This is pretty serious stuff. If this push gets the required 112K signatures by next July, it’ll be on their ballot in 2022 to approve officially.
“As the shadow of the falling safe and the idea of ballot box biology starts to grow, this isn’t a time for sportsmen and sportswomen across Oregon and the rest of the country to turn and run. In fact, it’s time to dig in and embrace the fight since so much is riding on the outcome of all of this.”
Read the full article HERE. This is scary. If you’re setting back on your duff waiting to see what happens, you need to wake up. We fight these kinds of fights all year round at IFC, but you usually don’t hear about them. We handled working with DNR and other state agencies delicately and with tact when we can. But there may be a time when folks have to jump off the sidelines on issues. If you’re not an IFC member, you’re going to need to pony up $3 a month (on average) and become one.
When the Iowa Legislature passed HF716 in 2020 amid covid and a dreadfully late session, there was concern rule-making sessions couldn’t be realized prior to the 2020/21 fall and winter hunting seasons. A few things happened in short order that placed the adoption of the legislative intent front and center among those using Iowa’s precious natural resources…
First, DNR sent out a notice regarding the adoption of rules a few days before the big deer season opener. While the wording of the notice left plenty to be desired, the timing was well explained. Thus, people took umbrage. Read a little bit about that HERE in an earlier IFC Blog Post.
Next, DNR scrambled a bit over the outrage from the public. They took another swing and missed. Read a bit about that HERE – what a mess.
There was also a third bite at the apple, but we decided to simply call up our contacts at DNR and discuss the problem. They had further narrowed the public sphere in which they were seeking comments with an egregious social media post. IFC was really pleased when that phone call was met with a quick agreement that DNR’s post didn’t offer value. DNR removed it quickly. Having a relationship that allows both IFC and DNR to communicate in earnest, even when it isn’t pleasant, is a very important thing and we’re glad to have it.
Shortly after all the public input, rules were adapted/adopted from DNR’s perspective and submitted to the NRC (Natural Resources Commission) for acceptance. The NRC adopted them along with many other suggested rules. The rules were then communicated to ARRC (Administrative Rules Review Committee). From this point the ARRC votes to accept them, DNR puts them out for print, and they’ll be available for the fall hunting seasons and literature.
Here’s what was recently sent from the NRC to ARRC regarding chapter 106 in an NOIA (Notice of Intended Action):
The Commission is requested to approve the Notice of Intended Action – Chapter 106, “Deer Hunting by Residents.”
Basic Intent of Rule – Chapter 106 contains the regulations for the resident deer hunting seasons and includes licensing requirements, season dates, shooting hours, bag limits, possession limits, tagging requirements and methods of take.
Proposed Rule Change – This Notice of Intended Action is proposed to align Chapter 106 with Iowa Code section 481A.48, as amended by House File 716 (signed by Governor Reynolds on June 18, 2020). This legislation made certain firearms legal for deer hunting. Specifically, the following amendments are proposed:
1) Adopt in full the statute’s technical parameters for the handguns and rifles that are now legal for deer hunting during the regular gun seasons and the youth/severely disabled season; and
2) Adopt the statute’s requirement that youth who are hunting deer with a handgun must do so under the direct supervision of a licensed responsible adult.
The part you read above about adopting the full statute’s technical parameters looks like this:
“A barrel length of at least four inches and firing straight wall or other centerfire ammunition propelling an expanding type bullet with a maximum diameter of no less than three hundred fifty thousandths of one inch and no larger than five hundred thousandths of one inch and with a published or calculated muzzle energy of five hundred foot pounds or higher is legal for hunting deer”.
Kudos and congrats my fellow hunters and sportsmen! You were able to stop the overreach of authority and abuse of power we’ve come so often to expect from the iron grasp of government. Take a bow, relax for a moment, enjoy your victory, and head out to bask in the sunshine of Iowa’s outdoors.
A printing issue in the chart on the bottom of p. 6 of the 2020-21 Iowa Hunting, Trapping and Migratory Game Bird regulations, inadvertently omitted check marks indicating which licenses and fees are required for each type of hunter and each type of license.
The online version of the regulations is correct. Find all your Hunting and Trapping regulations here:
DNR to host public meetings to discuss chronic wasting disease
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled public meetings in Leon, West Union and Decorah after hunter harvested deer in Decatur, Fayette and Winneshiek counties tested positive for chronic wasting disease. It is the first time deer have tested positive in these counties.
Meetings are scheduled for:
March 10, 7 p.m., in the Central Decatur CSD, 1201 NE Poplar, in Leon
March 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Holy Name Catholic Church Meeting Hall, 128 North Walnut Street, in West Union
March 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Valders Hall of Science Room 206, 700 College Drive, Luther College, in Decorah
Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease belonging to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, or prion diseases. It attacks the brain of infected deer and elk causing the animals to lose weight, display abnormal behavior, lose body functions and die. It is always fatal to the infected animal.
The Iowa DNR has tested nearly 74,000 deer tissue samples for chronic wasting disease since monitoring began in 2002. The disease first appeared in Iowa’s wild deer herd in 2013. So far, there have been 89 positive tests.
Any person attending the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently proposing sweeping reforms to the laws pertaining to deer hunting in Iowa. The Iowa Firearms Coalition is working hard to stop the DNR from implementing some terrible new restrictions on Iowa hunters and suggesting some changes that would be beneficial to Iowa hunters.
The Iowa DNR quietly released a list of changes on April 24th that can be found on their website. The Iowa DNR is allowing the public to submit written comments on the proposals until 4:30 PM on May 1st. We have created an advocacy campaign on our website to share our concerns with the Iowa DNR. We are strongly urging you to participate and help us protect quality deer hunting in the state of Iowa.
Here is a summary of our primary concerns:
The DNR has presented baseless restrictions on AR format pistols that may be braced against the forearm or shoulder, when a hunter may legally use the same action type, caliber, and barrel length at the same time and place. The ATF has already established clear boundaries on the AR pistol, and the Iowa DNR appears to be trying to redefine the law or unreasonably extend its authority.
106.7(2)c3 contains a questionable restriction on pistols that are “designed to be shot with one hand” which could plausibly be a 1911 or a Glock? Does the DNR intend to take a position on whether or not hunters should use only a one-handed or a two-handed hold? We don’t see how DNR thinks they are facilitating a humane harvest when they are limiting my technique and reducing a hunters accuracy. This plan does nothing but make more coyote bait.
Under current DNR rules, a youth hunter cannot harvest a deer with a pistol, even if they are in the pistol season and with an adult. DNR hunting policy has not been updated to be aligned with Iowa law.
A 6 round capacity limit for all gun hunters has been proposed. The Iowa DNR does not have the authority nor the reasonable basis for imposing a 6 round capacity limit for shotguns, pistols, and rifles. This restriction should be removed entirely.
IFC will be attending the public hearing on May 1st at the Wallace State Office Building in Des Moines (Conference Room 4E). You are also encouraged to attend if you wish to present your opinion. IFC Board Chairman Michael Ware will be discussing the DNR proposals and the need for action on the Simon Conway radio show today at 4:30 PM on WHO News Radio.
The current proposals as written do not benefit Iowa hunters and go too far in diminishing the hunting experience that we value in Iowa. We will be going into greater detail at the public hearing on the changes we think are necessary to the current proposal. Share our concerns on our advocacy campaign with the Iowa DNR prior to the upcoming public hearing.
Please share this with anyone else you know who is a deer hunter or Second Amendment supporter in Iowa. Let everyone know that the Iowa Firearms Coalition is working to protect the best interest of gun owners and hunters in the state of Iowa.Join us today on our website!
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