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Special elk unit, no trespass bills fail

Two bills that would have affected sportsmen, one in a limited area and the other with statewide implications, have been voted down by state legislators.

HB1396 failed to receive a single vote when the roll was called on the floor of the North Dakota House of Representatives. The bill would have created a special elk unit designated for “elk depredation management” with a preference system for landowners in the special unit to receive elk licenses.

The proposed unit would have been in the Lake Metigoshe area, bordered on the north by the U.S./Canada border. Opponents noted that if the bill passed all, or nearly all, of the available elk licenses in the unit could have gone to landowners and that there would be little or no chance for anyone else to obtain a license.

The bill failed by a 0-92 vote. HB1396 was introduced by representatives Dennis Johnson, Devils Lake; Tracy Boe, Mylo and Marvin Nelson, Rolla.

On the Senate side this week, lawmakers said no to SB2225, a “no trespass” bill that would have removed the posting requirement for landowners. Currently private land in North Dakota is considered open to hunting unless posted otherwise.

Lawmakers amended the bill to apply the proposed new law in five counties rather than the entire state. The bill was rejected by the Senate 17-28 on what was generally considered a rural versus city vote. However, Minot Senators Randy Burckhard-R, David Hogue-R and Oley Larsen-R were among those voting to approve the bill.

“The reason why I voted in favor of this bill was to respect landowner rights and that it would be a pilot of five counties, to see if it was effective,” said Larsen. “I would not have voted to lock up the whole state.”

Hogue said the reason he voted for the bill was that he was a farm boy raised to respect property rights.

“It really isn’t any more complicated than that. I’m an avid hunter of pheasants, geese and deer,” said Hogue. “I don’t feel comfortable going on somebody else’s property without their express permission. I realize North Dakota has a strong hunting heritage, but I don’t think it’s too much to expect hunters to ask, rather than assume.”

SB2225 was introduced by Senators Donald Schaible-R, Mott; Bill Bowman-R, Bowman and Robert Erbele-R, Lehr.

Today is what is known as cross over day at the legislature, the day when bills that pass either the House or the Senate are exchanged so that they can be debated, possibly amended and voted on by the opposite governing body. A bill must be approved by both houses of the Legislature before it can become law.

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