Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Committee reports HCR 4 favorably to suspend deer‑baiting bans for 18 months amid CWD debate
Loading...
Summary
The committee voted 7–4 to report HCR 4, which suspends baiting/feed bans for 18 months; proponents argued the ban harms hunters and rural businesses, while wildlife officials warned suspension would weaken mitigation and reduce surveillance.
The House Natural Resources Committee on April 15 voted to report House Concurrent Resolution 4, by Representative McCormick, which would suspend existing and prospective deer‑baiting/feeding bans for 18 months.
Representative McCormick said the resolution is focused solely on the feeding ban and framed it as protecting hunting traditions and rural businesses. He played a recorded message from Ted Nugent in support of lifting bait bans.
Rock Bordelon, chairman of Hunter Nation, urged the committee to remove the baiting ban, arguing that county feed bans in states such as Wisconsin did not halt CWD spread and that multiple feeding sites can disperse deer rather than concentrate them. ‘‘The feeders or the lack of feeders did not slow the progression of CWD in Wisconsin,’’ Bordelon said.
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (DWF) officials opposed an unconditional suspension. Cole Garrett, DWF general counsel, described the difference between HCR 4 and a separate Senate Concurrent Resolution that would reset zones and tie bans to a 1.5% prevalence trigger. Garrett warned that removing statutory or administrative tools undermines the department’s ability to mitigate focal outbreaks and that the alternative instrument incentivizes continued voluntary testing.
DWF’s deer program staff summarized recent science from other states showing focal harms when prevalence rises. They told the committee that in the Tensas Parish surveillance area apparent positive samples were several percent and that focal prevalence above roughly 5–10% can lead to much faster local increases and population declines. DWF also noted it has received federal USDA APHIS grant funding for diagnostic testing and seasonal technicians but said department resources remain the bulk of the ongoing response costs.
Representative Ventrella moved the resolution favorable; the motion met objection and a roll call recorded seven yeas and four nays. The committee reported HCR 4 favorably and adjourned. Members said further study and follow‑up with stakeholders and biologists will continue as legislation proceeds.
The committee record shows both instruments — the 18‑month suspension (HCR 4) and the alternative SCR with a prevalence trigger (SCR 24) — were discussed and that DWF prefers a prevalence‑trigger mechanism and continued voluntary testing as a surveillance incentive.
