ND moves forward with bill that allows hunting big game over bait

The North Dakota House of Representatives passed a bill that will allow hunting big game over bait on private property to continue. House Bill 1151 passed in a 76-18 vote and now moves onto the state Senate for consideration, according to AgWeek. 

HB 1151 includes amendments that inform “when and where hunters could use feed” along with how much. Farmers and ranchers in the area feed deer during rough winters and co-sponsor Rep. Dick Anderson (R-Willow City), said that they “aren’t likely to stop.”

“I’m not sure stopping baiting is going to have any real control on chronic wasting disease,” said Anderson.

Those in favor of the bill say that hunting over bait piles benefits disabled or older hunters while keeping “young hunters interested in the sport” while opponents say it eliminates an important tool used by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department to keep deer from congregating unnaturally and potentially spreading disease. 

Rep. Liz Conmy (D-Fargo) was against the bill and said, “As a hunter and landowner I’m really offended when someone tries to tell me what to do with my land, but I’m also cognizant that I don’t own the wildlife that wander across my land.”

NDGFD was against the original bill, which would have eliminated the agency’s authority to put bait bans in place, according to AgWeek. 

Stay tuned to GOHUNT for further updates.