Wildlife agency moves forward rule creating deer bait privilege license with disease safeguards

The Government Operations committee advanced a rule intended to implement a deer bait privilege license for regulated hunting on private lands, agency staff said.

"The proposed rule defines acceptable bait and the quantity and locations in which it may be used while instituting safeguards to reduce disease transmission risks and to maintain wildlife management integrity," Blair Beatty said, describing the rule passed by the 114th General Assembly.

Representative Fritz asked whether the rule would affect deer population control and noted correspondence about vehicle collisions and crop damage; Joe Benedict, the agency's chief of wildlife, said the agency is working with the Farm Bureau and other partners on depredation in areas with high deer density and that hunting is only one part of a broader approach. When a committee member cited a fiscal estimate (about $6,570,000), agency staff said that number likely overstates revenue because chronic wasting disease restrictions will prevent baiting in much of the state. Members asked about staffing and the agency said current staff are expected to handle administration of the license.

The committee voted to move the rule forward; the senate roll call returned eight ayes and the house voice vote carried.

Why it matters: the rule implements statutory authorization for baited hunting on private lands while creating explicit disease‑transmission safeguards and regulatory limits on where baiting may occur.

What’s next: the rule moves forward with a positive recommendation and will proceed through the legislative process.