SB 257

This bill allows a person of any age to apply for a preference point under the

cumulative preference system for issuing Class A bear hunting licenses.

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources issues a Class A bear

hunting license, which allows the license holder to shoot, shoot at, take, catch, or kill

a bear or pursue, with or without the use of dogs, a bear for the purpose of shooting,

shooting at, taking, catching, or killing the bear. Under current law, if the number

of applicants for the license exceeds the number of licenses available, DNR

administers a cumulative preference system for issuing Class A bear licenses. Under

the system, an applicant may apply for a license or may apply for only a preference

point if he or she is not seeking a license for the upcoming bear hunting season. DNR

gives a preference point to each person who applies for a preference point and to each

person who applies for a license but who is not selected. The more preference points

an applicant has, the higher priority he or she is given in issuing the licenses.

Under current law, an applicant seeking a preference point must be at least ten

years old on the first day of the upcoming bear hunting season and be eligible for a

hunting license on that date. Under this bill, a person of any age may apply for a

preference point and eligibility for a hunting license is not a prerequisite.