McNamara takes over

We told you last week to stay tuned about the fate of Rep. Tom
Hackbarth, R-Cedar. He was to head the committee that deals with
environment and natural resources policy and finance in the House.
Several days after House leadership suspended Hackbarth from the
position, he voluntarily resigned.

Taking Hackbarth’s place is Rep. Denny McNamara, R-Hastings.
He’s been

in the Legislature since 2002 and has been involved in
environment and

natural resource issues the entire time. Most sportsmen seem
comfortable with McNamara, a hunter and angler himself.

The person who chairs the environment and natural resources
committee is important to sportsmen, because that person oversees
the budget of

agencies like the DNR, and also plays a key role in legislation
related to

hunting and fishing – like writing a Game and Fish bill.

McNamara said earlier this week the committee likely will craft
a Game and Fish bill later on during the session, which begins Jan.
4. The committee, he said, will tackle hot-button issues like
scopes on muzzleloaders and two-line fishing.

Will legislation that removes the antler-point restrictions in
Zone 3 also

be a part of that bill? A couple of sources this week said they
expect a

bill to be offered this session that does just that. Remember,
the DNR

instituted the antler-point restrictions only after years of
studies and

surveys on the issue. And before and after the restrictions
were

instituted, officials said the deer kill in Zone 3 would be down
this

season, but that it would be a different story next season. So
here’s

hoping we can show a little bit of patience and not jam
through

legislation just because a few people are unhappy with the way
the season went.