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Lawmakers debate night-vision, thermal scopes for private-land wolf hunting in HB259 hearing
Summary
HB259 would explicitly allow infrared and thermal-imagery scopes for hunting wolves on private lands. Proponents framed it as a narrow 'cleanup' to protect landowners; opponents and several wildlife groups said it undermines fair chase and could lead to unlimited take and public-safety risks.
Representative Paul Fielder presented House Bill 259 as a technical clarification to state statute, saying a recent district court decision required explicit statutory language to include infrared and thermal-imagery scopes within "night vision". "Night vision" had been understood to include these devices, he said, and HB259 would put that understanding into the text.
Proponents including landowners and hunting organizations said the bill is limited to private land and helps ranchers and landowners protect livestock. Jeff Darragh, representing…
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