DES MOINES, Iowa, November 2, 2007 (ENS) - Three-quarters of Iowa hunters and anglers responding to a new public opinion poll say America has a strong moral responsibility to act now to limit the worst effects of global warming. The statewide poll was released Wednesday by the National Wildlife Federation.

The poll shows that of the sportsmen who say they will vote in January's caucuses, only nine percent have decided who they will support. And 66 percent of respondents said conservation is just as important to them as gun rights issues, if not more important.

"Despite a majority calling themselves conservative politically, Iowa sportsmen know climate change is not an issue of left or right, it's a matter of right or wrong," said Joe Wilkinson, Iowa sportsman and Iowa Wildlife Federation president.

The survey found that among likely Republican Caucus attendees, a majority, 51 percent, believe global warming is occurring.

Among likely Democratic Caucus attendees, 90 percent believe global warming is occurring, 85 percent believe that human activity is at least a contributing factor and 82 percent feel that the U.S. is doing too little to address this issue.

"Sportsmen believe global warming is the top conservation issue facing Iowa," said Wilkinson. "Any presidential candidate that comes through Iowa needs to know global warming is at the front of sportsmen's minds."

The nonprofit National Wildlife Federation commissioned American Viewpoint, Inc. of Alexandria, Virginia to conduct the survey of 600 self-identified hunters and anglers to obtain their views on global warming. Conducted September 6 to 11, the poll has a sampling error of plus or minus 4.1 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.

Interviewers found that 69 percent of sportsmen polled believe global warming is currently occurring.

Three-quarters, or 75 percent, said that the United States should be a world leader in addressing global warming issues.

Six out of seven respondents agreed with the statement that we can improve the environment and strengthen the economy by investing in renewable energy technologies that create jobs while reducing global warming.

Hunting and angling provide an important flow of income to Iowa. In 2006, more than 436,000 anglers spent over $313 million in Iowa on their sport. Some 254,000 hunters spent $296 million in the state, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Warmer average temperatures and changes in precipitation could reduce available wetland habitat, including prairie potholes in northern Iowa and wetlands in the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge.

During typical years in the recent past, a half million snow geese use the refuge as a resting and feeding area and populations of 75,000 or more ducks, mostly mallards, are common on the refuge. November is the month of peak waterfowl use.

In addition, the state bird, the American goldfinch, may withdraw to the northern part of the state to breed due to climate change.

Rick Ridder, the consultant who analyzed the survey results for the National Wildlife Federation said the 75 percent response gives a "fair degree" of weight to the numbers.

While the federation is focusing on global warming, it was not the top issue of concern among those in the poll.

Forty-five percent listed the war in Iraq as the top issue of concern, 41 percent said stopping illegal immigration, 25 percent fighting terrorism, 25 percent strengthening the economy and creating jobs, and 15 percent global warming and energy.

In terms of conservation issues, global warming tops the list for 28 percent of respondents, clean water for 22 percent, public lands and wetlands for 18 percent and clean air for 17 percent.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2007. All rights reserved.