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Senate advances wildlife bill giving director authority to act earlier on deer and predator balances
Summary
First substitute House Bill 125 would let the Division of Wildlife Resources director issue additional permits (including cougar and bear permits) earlier—before emergency declarations—so officials can act proactively to protect mule deer; the Senate moved the bill forward after debate on science, human-safety, and sunset provisions.
The Senate debated and advanced a bill that expands the Division of Wildlife Resources director’s authority to address declining mule deer populations by granting the ability to issue additional permits for predators, including cougars and bears, before official emergency declarations.
Senator Okerlund (sponsor) said the measure is designed to give wildlife managers flexibility to act earlier: "This grants the division…
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