The RAC considered R657-42 amendments that would allow the Division of Wildlife Resources to offer relief to hunters and units affected by natural disasters. The division presenter explained that individual hunters would apply via the Division website and must surrender physical tags within the rule’s 30-day grace period; unit-wide relief decisions would be made by the division director, informed by leadership and biologists.

Council members sought clarity about how the division would ensure consistent treatment across applicants and when the director would exercise unit-wide authority. The presenter said the director-level decision applies only when an entire unit meets the written criteria, not to ad hoc requests from single drainages, and that the division would work with leadership and biologists to maintain consistency.

RAC members expressed concern that the director might face many individual requests and emphasized the need for transparent criteria; staff said they would aim for consistent treatment and described examples (e.g., past fires) where relief had been considered. The RAC adopted the division recommendation by unanimous roll call.