HB4563 - WILDLIFE CD-DEER REMOVAL

1 Co-Sponsor

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Code, the Department of Natural Resources shall issue nuisance deer removal permits to: (1) a person who owns or leases 1,000 or more acres of land in an unincorporated area of the State, produces agricultural products on that land, and is experiencing demonstrable damage to land or agricultural products due to nuisance deer that reside on the land; or (2) a tenant of the landowner who has been granted permission by that person to apply for a nuisance deer removal permit on that person's behalf. Provides that the number of deer permitted to be taken, the number of days for which the deer may be taken, and the total number of persons who may take deer under the permit shall be based on the number of acres of land owned. Provides that a nuisance deer removal permit shall not allow the taking of deer during any archery, firearm, muzzleloader only, special Chronic Wasting Disease, late winter, or youth firearm season. Provides that the Department shall encourage persons issued a nuisance deer removal permit to use the deer taken under the deer removal program for human consumption or for donations to zoos or other facilities where the deer can be used to feed animals. Makes other changes.