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Committee advances bill allowing limited baiting for deer on private property
Summary
Senate Bill 8-69, which permits landowners to hunt white-tailed deer over bait on their own property under a licensing scheme, passed the committee and moved toward the Finance Committee after senators adopted an amendment and voted.
Senator Hensley introduced Senate Bill 8-69 with an amendment that would allow an individual landowner to hunt white-tailed deer over bait on private property under a licensing procedure. The sponsor said the bill sets a 10-day period during which bait must be removed prior to hunting; he said the measure is modeled in part on a recent Alabama law and noted license revenue could generate several million dollars.
The committee adopted the amendment after a roll-call adoption (5–2 in the amendment vote) and later approved the amended bill for referral. Vice Chair Lowe said the change helps preserve hunting traditions and makes it easier to teach hunting skills across generations; some members expressed concerns about the 10-day bait removal window and regulatory details.
Action: The sponsor moved the amended bill; the committee recorded a final vote of five ayes and three noes and sent SB 8-69 to the Finance Committee.
What changes: allows a licensed landowner to hunt over bait on private property under a specified procedure; the amendment added details on the bait timeframe and permit process. Opponents raised concerns about flood and cumulative impacts of permitting in sensitive areas during questioning, but the committee approved the bill to move forward.
Votes and next steps: SB 8-69 was referred to Finance after a 5–3 vote.
