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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Ind. Law - "Lawmaker advocates fenced deer hunting"

That is the heading to this story by Ryan Sabalow in today's Indianapolis Star. Some quotes:

Rep. Matt Ubelhor, R-Bloomfield, said today that he believes more high-fence hunting clubs would lead to job growth and give the nearly 400 Indiana farmers who raise deer and elk an in-state source of business. * * *

Ubelhor earlier this year was the lead author of a hunting bill that died in committee. It would have set licensing requirements for the hunting clubs, allowed previously operating clubs to reopen and allow hunting at the facilities from August to April, without bag limits.

Ubelhor said he may amend a senate bill he is co-sponsoring in the House to include some of the language from his earlier bill. Under Ubelhor’s bill, a new high-fence clubs would have to be at least 200 acres, and the deer must have adequate cover and space to hide. * * *

Ubelhor said the matter is likely to come up at a hearing Monday at the House’s Committee on Natural Resources.

ILB: Reading the story this morning it occurred to me that a law permitting fenced hunting might not even be necessary if SJR 7 passes.

The same might apply with SB 373, called the "ag gag" bill, which is now in committee in the second house.

If SJR 7, which is currently in the second house committee, passes the House again this year, it will go on the ballot of the next general election.

SJR 7 would add a new Section 39 to our Bill of Rights, reading:

Section 39. The people have a right to hunt, fish, harvest game, or engage in the agricultural or commercial production of meat, fish, poultry, or dairy products, which is a valued part of our heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good, subject only to laws prescribed by the General Assembly and rules prescribed by virtue of the authority of the General Assembly. Hunting and fishing shall be the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. This section shall not be construed to limit the application of any provision of law relating to trespass or property rights.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on March 20, 2013 03:22 PM
Posted to Indiana Law