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Committee advances change to deer-tag allocation to curb crop damage
Summary
Lawmakers advanced House Bill 5217 to alter base deer-tag allocations — shifting to more doe tags and fewer buck tags — citing DNR support and the need to reduce deer-related crop damage; the committee approved the measure 14-0 with four members absent.
The committee approved House Bill 5217, a measure that would change the default mix of annual deer tags issued by the Department of Natural Resources. Representative Forrest said the bill would shift the base issuance so hunters receive three doe tags and two buck tags, a step officials hope will reduce deer overpopulation and crop damage.
"They issue 3 book tags and 2 doe tags, and we are gonna flip that to 2 buck tags and 3 doe tags," Representative Forrest said, urging the change to encourage harvest of does. Lawmakers and DNR biologists discussed local variation in deer populations and the potential for zone-specific approaches or a short doe-only season if needed.
Committee members pressed on enforcement and whether hunters support the change. Representative Gibson asked whether fines or enforcement details were included; members said the Department of Natural Resources supports the policy and that additional tag purchases remain available.
A motion to pass the bill was seconded and the committee approved HB 5217 by roll call, 14-0 with four members not present. The bill will advance to the House floor for further consideration.
