Panel approves licensure route for rehabilitating orphaned white-tailed fawns

Summary

The committee reported HB 934 as amended to allow licensed wildlife rehabilitators to care for orphaned white-tailed fawns and require review and release conditions (including restrictions tied to CWD-management zones). The department and conservation groups raised concerns but agreed to compromise language; the measure was reported favorably as amended.

A House committee on Thursday approved an amended substitute to HB 934 to permit licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess and rehabilitate white-tailed deer, primarily orphaned fawns, with conditions on enclosures, reporting and release.

Representative Ventrella, the sponsor, said the substitute fills a gap that previously left wildlife agents with limited options when citizens presented orphaned fawns; the bill aims to provide a licensed, supervised path so animals that can be rehabilitated are returned to the wild rather than being euthanized. The sponsor said the measure includes safeguards on release and stronger oversight in areas with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

Witnesses testifying in favor described practical rescue scenarios and urged licensing and education to reduce unnecessary euthanasia. The Louisiana Wildlife Federation opposed the bill in its prior form, warning of risks that captive deer can domesticate and create animal-welfare and public-safety problems; department counsel and the sponsor said they had worked to narrow language and add reporting and release controls to address those risks.

The committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 934 favorably as amended.