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Committee rejects proposal for statewide general-unit antlerless deer license
Summary
A proposal to create a general-unit antlerless deer license that would let hunters use antlerless licenses across much of the state failed in committee (2-3); commissioners cited measurement, administrative and timing concerns amid pending Sunday-hunting legislation.
The Wildlife Management Committee voted 2-3 not to advance a proposal that would create a general-unit antlerless deer license permitting hunting across most or all wildlife management units.
Executive Director Smith described the concept: instead of restricting antlerless licenses to a single wildlife-management unit, the proposal would allow a general license usable across a broader area. Commissioner Kristen Koppenhaver said the license "would give the hunter the opportunity to hunt antlerless deer across most and perhaps all of the state."
Opponents raised implementation concerns and measurement issues. Commissioner Scott Floridore and Chair Dennis Fredericks said the committee should wait for full-season harvest numbers and be mindful of the reintroduced legislative push for Sunday hunting, which could alter harvest timing and complicate evaluation. Fredericks said the proposal might be premature because "deer season is still in progress as we speak, and we still don't have the harvest numbers from this year."
The committee recorded a roll-call vote of 2 yes and 3 no; because the committee requires a supermajority (4 of 5) to advance proposals, the item did not go to the January board agenda. Staff will not draft regulatory language for the measure unless further direction is given.
