Statewide Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is exploring ways to address a national decline in the number of hunters, and to prevent the drop from happening here.
DNR wildlife biologist Matt Dollison says Iowa has seen its number of pheasant hunters -rise- by almost 20,000 in the past few seasons, and they now number 83,000, but he says national hunter figures have been falling for decades.
Dollison says several factors have likely contributed to the overall decline in hunter numbers nationwide.
Dollison says game populations and the availability of public land are also likely factors in the decline. That’s why he says positions like his exist — to manage habitats, spur population numbers in public areas, and to help organize hunting programs. He notes hunting-related expenses provide the bulk of the money for conservation efforts.
The focus in the past was on hosting youth hunting events across the state, but Dollison says they’ve started turning to young adults in recent years.
Dollison encourages hunters to invite friends who are interested in outdoor recreation to go along, and to point them toward educational events in their area.
