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State of
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor |
REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director |
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State of
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor |
REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director |
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BILL NUMBER: |
House
Bill 5331, AS INTRODUCED |
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TOPIC: |
Eliminate
Participation License for Bear and Bobcat Hunting |
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SPONSOR: |
Representative
Walker |
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CO-SPONSORS: |
Representatives Moolenaar,
Nitz, Meekhof, Palmer, Hansen, Elsenheimer, Hildenbrand, Casperson, McDowell,
Emmons, Meadows, Mayes, Booher, |
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COMMITTEE: |
Tourism, Outdoor
Recreation and Natural Resources |
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Analysis
Done: |
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POSITION
The
Department of Natural Resources (Department) opposes this legislation.
PROBLEM/BACKGROUND
Present
legislation requires all participants in a hunt for bobcat and bear to purchase
a hunting license for that species, whether or not the participant is in
possession of a firearm or valid kill tag.
This is based on the inclusion of “pursuit” in the definition of “hunt”
and the requirement that hunters of these species must purchase a valid license
for that species. Many recreationists
believe this is an economic burden which decreases recreational opportunity and
reduces hunter recruitment.
The purchase of a
“participation license” was initiated, in part, at the request of bear hunters
in an attempt to reduce competition for bears during the hunting season between
parties that possess kill tags and parties that do not possess a kill tag. In-season dog training activities have decreased
in recent years. Thus, many bear hunters
feel the need for “participation licenses” is no longer valid.
DESCRIPTION OF BILL
House
Bill 5331 removes the requirement for hunters of bear and bobcat to purchase a license
for that species, except when carrying a firearm or if they use a firearm to
harvest a bear or bobcat.
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS
Pro
This legislation will remove
the economic disincentive to participate in hound hunting of bear and
bobcats. This may expose additional
people to this recreational opportunity and thereby increase hunter recruitment.
Con
The elimination of the
participation license may lay the groundwork for the re-emergence of a dramatic
increase in dog training under the guise of hunting during the hunting season, resulting
in an increase in user conflicts.
The concerns regarding
“participation licenses” are presently addressed in HB 4624, which provides the
Natural Resources Commission with the authority to discount licenses. With this authority, the Department could
recommend that bear and bobcat hunting participants pay a much reduced fee than
the holders of valid kill tags. This would
address the economic issues while maintaining some amount of revenue and
addressing the control over unrestrained dog training.
Removing the requirement for
a “participation license” will result in decreased revenue to the
Department. Over the past five years
there has been an annual average of 1,460 participation licenses purchased with
average annual revenue of $39,120.
FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT
Are there revenue or
budgetary implications in the bill to the --
Budgetary:
None
Revenue:
This legislation will potentially result in a decreased annual revenue to the Department of
approximately $40,000.
Comments:
None
Budgetary:
None
Revenue:
None
Comments:
None
Comments:
None
OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS
None
ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION
None
ADMINISTRATIVE
RULES IMPACT
None
_______________________________
Rebecca A. Humphries
Director
_______________________________
Date
WLD
