Pretty Quiet on the 2023 ND Legislative Front

[prairie hunter]

Seems there are very few natural resources bills in the 2023 ND legistlative session. Atleast as of today (per my search), there are no bills to further restrict access to outdoorsmen (aka: all land automatically posted) ... The e-posting appears to have satisfied most? Bills can still be introduced so we will see.

I see two active bills one of which will give NR youth the ability to purchase low-cost licenses regardless of any state reciprocity agreement. The second prohibits the leasee from posting (restricting public access) pasture and meadows on leased grant lands. The only thing is this leased land is often so heavily grazed there is not much to pursue unless ducks are using a wetland.

 

[KEN]

There is a bill to allow a group of 10 people to party hunt for deer. Big deal for resident deer hunters.

Another is to allow a non-resident under 16 to buy a resident small game and waterfowl license. I would guess non-res families would love this one.

 

[oldfireguy]

There is a bill to allow a group of 10 people to party hunt for deer. Big deal for resident deer hunters.

Another is to allow a non-resident under 16 to buy a resident small game and waterfowl license. I would guess non-res families would love this one.

That already exists. At least for Minnesota youth.
Three of my grandkids hunt every year.
Two of them are 16 now, and I buy their NR license.
Keeping the generation interested in hunting, active in DU.
.......and they own the camp.

 

[KEN]

It says it is for states that do not reciprocate.

 

[prairie hunter]

ND has had that the nonresident youth license at the resident license fee in place for at least 15 years for states that have reciprocal agreements. The new law would eliminate the reciprocity requirement and simply let any nonresident youth purchase the lower cost license.

If the party hunting rule becomes law, the ND game and fish will likely need to adjust total number of licenses available tied to any higher harvest (kill) rate. That would suggest less licenses available on a stable population. Could also lead to more people applying for licenses to add "licenses to the group". They do not even need to actually hunt ... just be along when their tag is used ?