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Sunday, February 12, 2006

Ind. Law - More on Canned deer hunting preserves

Skip Hess' "Outdoors" column today is headlined "Latest fenced hunting bill has veterans in crosshairs." Why? Because the House added a provision to the bill continuing canned hunting to provide veterans with free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for life -- to discourage legislators from voting against the bill. As Hess writes:

If you were a state representative running for re-election during a time of war, would you want your opponent to remind voters that you voted against a lifetime free hunting, fishing and trapping license for men and women who served their country?
On the other hand, would you want the voters to know you supported canned "hunting"? More from the column:
Indiana sportsmen groups have adamantly opposed this form of shooting deer and elk because it flies in the face of fair chase.

Last year, DNR director Kyle Hupfer took a stand on the issue in his first year on the job and proposed that all deer and elk shooting preserve operations be shut down this year, subject to approval by legislators. * * *

The bill proposes that facility owners who were in business after 2003 be allowed to operate until 2013 to recover their financial investment.

However, the DNR contends the facilities are illegal. If the Senate doesn't pass the bill, DNR authorities say they will close the shooting preserves July 1.

Here is the proposed DNR rule, which:
Amends 312 IAC 9-3-2 and adds 312 IAC 9-3-18.5, concerning the hunting of white-tailed deer possessed under a game breeder license and the taking, possessing, and releasing of exotic mammals, to prohibit the taking and releasing of the exotic mammals described in this rule. Adds 312 IAC 9-10-21 concerning exotic mammals possession permits.
See the most recent ILB entries from Feb. 1 and Feb. 3.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on February 12, 2006 07:41 AM
Posted to Indiana Government | Indiana Law