DNR Proposes to Change “No-Wake” Language in Boating Regulations



DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comments on a proposal to change the use of “no-wake zones” with defined speed restrictions of five miles per hour in the Boat Motor Regulations.

Any interested person may make written suggestions or comments on the proposed amendments on or before October 28, 2010. Send written comments to Susan Stocker, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319-0034, or by fax to 515-281-6794 or email to susan.stocker@dnr.iowa.gov.

Persons wishing to convey their views orally should contact the Iowa DNR’s Law Enforcement Bureau at 515-281-0122.

The proposed change will be the topic of a public hearing on October 28, from 1 to 3 p.m., in the fifth floor east conference room, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. 9th St., in Des Moines. At the public meeting, persons may present their views either orally or in writing.

Persons attending the public meeting who have special needs, such as hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and advise them of those specific needs.

From the IABass website


HERE

And this is news to me.

Commission Approves Dove Hunting, Adds Non-Toxic Shot Requirement

Posted: 07/14/2011
DES MOINES – Final approval of a rule that will allow the hunting of mourning doves in Iowa was approved Thursday by the Iowa Natural Resource Commission which also added an amendment that would require hunters to use non-toxic shot.

The non-toxic shot requirement follows several discussions by the commission during the past year concerning the impacts of lead shot to the environment and on wildlife. Lead – or toxic – shot used in hunting can be ingested by wildlife. There has been a national ban on the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting since 1991 with non-toxic shot for waterfowl being in place in Iowa since 1987.

The rules approved by the commission allow for a dove season starting Sept. 1st and ending Nov. 9th. The final rule allows the harvest of 15 doves a day and can be either mourning or Eurasian collared-doves. The possession limit is 30 and the season is open state-wide.

Commissioners added and approved an amendment on Thursday that would require hunters to only use non-toxic shot while hunting doves anywhere in the state of Iowa.

The decision to ban toxic shot for dove hunting was based largely on the fact that much of the hunting occurs over a small area which would increase the likelihood of lead concentrations being created.

“There will be a number of hunters who will be opposed to this decision, but at the end of the day, this action by the commission will help protect Iowa’s environment and wildlife from the adverse affects of lead,” said DNR Director Roger Lande.

What is the DNR going to do? Start running a radar gun on the lakes? But that would first require there to be some sort of enforcement in place, which of course, they do not have. Really, its kind of a joke if you ask me. They can't enforce it now, so whats a speed limit going to do for you?!

As far as nontoxic shot is concerned. Well, it is with good intention, but talk about a bad deal for the hunter. I don't know of much non toxic, small shot size (8-9), loads out there. Especially ones that perform halfway decent. And if they do exist, with as much shooting that is involved with dove hunting, it could become pretty costly in a hurry.

Steel shot has come a long ways. I am perfecty fine with it. Can't look a gift horse in the mouth!!

You can get a flat of steel for around 60 bucks. We are talking a 6 ounce bird here, if you can't kill them with steel, well....that just your own fault!!!

5 mph in my boat, leaves a wake. 5 mph in Choppers boat is probably close to no wake.

They can't enforce it now because it's so subjective as to WHAT no-wake "IS".

This does make sense in my mind. It takes away the guess work. I would guess a large percentage of boats have some type of gps ground speed to reference, including the DNR/Corp of Eng Rangers/Coast Guard.

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The no wake thing or idle speed only is a joke for many. Everytime I go out I seemed to get rocked by a wake that some body made. I know my boat speedometer won't register 5 mph so guess we will have to use our gps to figure out how fast we are going? Give me a break! I don't know what the answer is.

Well it's a start. Reminds me of Bill Clinton . . "That depends on what your definition of "is" is",

At least we ALL know what the definition of No-Wake "is" now.

For me, I look at my ground speed on my GPS all the time. I know that with two fats guys and a cooler of beer, going downstream on the river, my boat can reach 34mph.

Not every decison the DNR makes is without merit . .

For Bill, I think it depends on your definition of sex too. "I didn't have sex with that woman, not once!"

This is interesting. I have always used 6 mph on gps as my cruising speed on a no wake lake. I suppose now I'll have to cut it back a little. I will say, @ 6 mph you are making some wake so if I have rocked your boat any of you then I am sorry, I really don't feel to bad about it though.


I get my boat rocked now and then too, I never really think a thing about it, don't really care or bother me. Guess its part of the thought that some days on the river I can't stop the boat from rocking for even a couple seconds so a few wakes never hurt nobody.


I think it is rediculous to think they will ever enforce it but if that is the way they want the law to read then it is less subjective. Just a lot of time wasted debating something that really means and does nothing. That is the silly part to me. Wasted tax dollars there I would say.

Waves in a small lake do something. They erode the shoreline, I think that is the reason for the no wake or idle speed only. Maybe I am wrong.

I think in a lot of lakes is more of a safety thing for small craft, as well as all the giant trees sticking up outta the water!

it's funny these two items were brought up today, just last night I was talking with my DNR buddy and he was talking about some of the new laws and how ridiculous they were and the steel shot and the no wake thing were at the top of his list.

He said "How am I supposed to prove how fast someone is going?" He went on to say he could take video with his phone for proof of excessive wakes, but there is no way of knowing how fast someone is going.

The steel shot thing...He said you wouldn't believe the political BS involved in this. I will see if he will let me do a phone interview with him as I think you guys would like to hear some of this stuff from someone in the field. I kind of doubt he will though just to protect himself and his job...I will see...He said he will not be checking for steel shot

Another new law= 200hp MAX on 3 Mile Lake :shock: Do you know how many tournaments are held there per year? A Lot! Most newer rigs you see these days have a minimum of a 225.