Hunters at the capitol. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)
(North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota lawmakers sided with hunters in the debate over whether the state Game and Fish Department can restrict using bait when deer hunting on private property.
The House passed Senate Bill 2137 after rejecting a proposed amendment. The bill is the same version that passed the Senate.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has banned landowners from setting out feed for deer for the purpose of hunting in some areas of the state. The department testified against the bill, saying that feeding bans are part of an attempt to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease in deer.
Charlie Bahnson, wildlife veterinarian for Game and Fish, said in written testimony that chronic wasting disease is still rare in North Dakota, but the department needs the feeding restrictions as a management tool.
