Senate committee hears bill to exempt 100% disabled veterans from deer lottery; agency and wildlife groups urge caution

Senate Bill 2199 would allow veterans rated 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to receive a North Dakota deer license upon request without entering the lottery. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee heard testimony from the bill’s sponsor and multiple stakeholders but did not take a committee vote during the hearing recorded in the transcript.

Senator Mike Wapman, sponsor of the bill, described the measure as “a reasonable consideration” to recognize veterans who have been physically or psychologically injured in service. He said the change responds to constituent testimony from disabled veterans frustrated by long waits to draw a deer license through the state’s lottery and estimated the pool of likely users to be small compared with roughly 50,000 deer licenses available statewide.

Supporters framed the bill as an honorific and practical accommodation. Several legislators and veterans emphasized veterans’ service and urged accommodation for those with severe service‑connected disabilities who face barriers in applying or waiting in a lottery system.

Opponents including John Bradley, executive director of the North Dakota Wildlife Federation, urged the committee to reject the bill as written. Bradley said the deer lottery is a limited resource and that opening guaranteed access to all eligible 100% disabled veterans could place “undue pressure” on deer units where tags are scarce; he cited existing programs that provide dedicated hunting opportunities for veterans, including annual disabled‑veteran hunts and other statutory provisions.

Scott Peterson, deputy director of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, testified neutrally and urged caution. Peterson noted the deer lottery contains highly coveted tags for certain units and that total demand far exceeds supply in some areas; he suggested the department could explore alternatives such as preference points so veterans gain greater chance without receiving guaranteed annual tags.

Committee members asked whether the pool of eligible users is large and whether the measure would change hunter behavior or create pressure on scarce tags; one senator asked whether a hybrid approach—preference points or a staggered guarantee—might better balance recognition with resource limits. Several members asked staff and the department to explore amendments.

No committee action or vote on SB 2199 is recorded in the transcript. Committee discussion closed for further follow‑up; members said they would consider amendments (for example, preference points or limiting guaranteed issuance to specific seasons or frequencies) before taking final committee action.