Committee Passes Bill to Expand Control Hunts, Change Residency Rule and Create Velvet Buck Season

Senate Bill 2171, introduced by Senator Bullard, cleared the Agriculture Committee after debate over wildlife management, tourism and impacts on trophy deer populations.

Bullard summarized three principal provisions: extend the residency requirement for lifetime fishing licenses from six months to one year; allow purchase of an opposite‑side lifetime fishing license; and authorize a velvet buck season administered as a controlled hunt under rules set by the wildlife commission. He said the changes reflect constituent demand and give the commission discretion to manage tags and seasons.

Lawmakers questioned whether the controlled hunts and an initial allotment of at least 100 tags might increase commercialization and harm trophy deer populations. Senator Greene and others warned that easily patterned velvet deer could lead to many mature deer being killed in the first years of the program and raised concerns about outfitting and pricing of tags. Bullard and other supporters said the wildlife department would manage tag counts and that similar programs exist in other states.

The committee took a roll call and approved SB 2171 with 12 ayes and 1 nay. The chair declared the bill passed in committee.