Iowans want to protect native carnivores, such as bobcats and bears

Iowa’s natural resources — its lands and our wildlife — belong to all of us as Iowans. Unfortunately, it’s only the voices pushing for consumptive uses that Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources and Natural Resource Commission pay any attention to.

Hunters make up less than 7 percent of our citizenry, yet their voices are heard above all others. Trophy hunters and trappers — who target native carnivores like bobcats — make up an even tinier percentage of Iowa’s population and have grossly disproportionately influence with the DNR and NRC. That must stop, and these entities should immediately adopt a more representative approach, one that pursues permanent protections for Iowa’s native carnivores and expands opportunities for other Iowans to experience our state’s natural beauty through such nonconsumptive pursuits as wildlife watching, hiking, orienteering, boating and other activities.

To provide a quick sketch of how things currently work, earlier this year the Iowa DNR proposed an expansion of bobcat trophy hunting in Dubuque, Jones and Delaware counties. The DNR and its rule-making body, the NRC, asked for public comments on the proposal and received dozens of calls and emails in opposition. They received two (that’s right, two) comments in favor of bobcat trophy hunting. Notwithstanding, the NRC unanimously and blithely voted to expand bobcat trophy hunting, writing off the opposition as “the anti-hunting crowd” while emphasizing its commitment to “hunter satisfaction.”

Ask almost anyone you meet day to day and you’ll find most Iowans are opposed to many of the most objectionable killing methods used on wildlife (traps, snares, baiting, hounding, killing contests and captive hunting). These things simply don’t match Iowans’ ideas of ethical sportsmanship or fair play.

Why, then, do those tasked with managing our natural resources seem so determined to expand those methods? Why does such a small percentage of the population get such a large say in the management of wildlife that belongs to us all?

Last year, Iowans provided the strongest evidence yet that they are more interested in coexisting with native wildlife than killing it. “Bruno” the black bear made headlines throughout the country as scores of Iowans tried to catch even a glimpse of an animal whose ancestors once called our state home. Not missing a beat, the DNR stated that it would only be a matter of time before black bears establish themselves in Iowa again. And that of course, would mean open trophy hunting season, for there’s nothing to stop someone from killing any black bear who enters our state. Without protective status, black bears and other native animals like mountain lions could easily be subjected to something like the unconscionable wholesale slaughter of wolves perpetrated in our neighboring state of Wisconsin earlier this year.

The overwhelming majority of Iowans who value native carnivores deserve the opportunity to peacefully enjoy both our remaining natural lands and the extraordinary species for whom those lands are home. These animals deserve long-term protections for many reasons, but we can make the case on simple humanitarian grounds: They are typically hunted purely for trophies and through cruel methods having nothing to do with fair chase or sustenance. Huge numbers of bobcats are trapped used barbaric and painful techniques, and black bears killed (in surrounding states) often leave behind cubs who starve to death.

Most Iowans want nothing to do with this kind of mindless carnage and brutality. Yet this year’s legislative session in Des Moines saw attempts to codify Iowans’ “right to hunt” into our state constitution.

Why, and what for? Iowans already have plenty of opportunities to hunt; most of us (93.3 percent) just choose not to. That follows the national trends: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that wildlife watchers now outspend hunters by almost three to one nationwide — and that margin is even larger when the comparison is to trophy hunting.

The vast majority of Iowans are ready to live peacefully alongside our state’s native carnivores and to support their protection. Why aren’t our leaders willing to do so?

Preston Moore is Iowa state director for the Humane Society of the United States.