AB 667

This bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to authorize the

hunting of sandhill cranes by individuals who have completed a sandhill crane

hunter education course and who possess the appropriate approval issued by DNR.

Under the bill, if DNR determines it is necessary for proper game management,

DNR may limit the number of cranes harvested and the number of hunters by issuing

permits. If DNR issues permits, DNR must determine the number of permits it will

issue for a given sandhill crane hunting area and season. If the number of

applications for the permits for a given hunting area or season do not exceed the

number of available permits, DNR must issue a permit to each applicant. If the

number of applications exceeds the number of available permits, DNR may either

issue the permits at random or establish a cumulative preference system.

Under the bill, if a cumulative preference system is used, the system

establishes preference categories for applicants who applied for but were not issued

permits, with higher priority given to applicants with more preference points. Under

the preference system, an applicant may elect to apply for a permit or a preference

point and pay a processing fee. There is no fee for the permit itself. The revenue from

the processing fees is appropriated for improving and managing the sandhill crane

population and for administering the sandhill crane hunter education program.

Current law authorizes a person who owns, leases, or controls land on which

certain wild animals cause damage to crops or livestock to apply under a

state-funded wildlife damage program for wildlife damage abatement assistance

and for wildlife damage claim payments. Wildlife damage for which a person is

eligible for assistance or payments includes damage caused by sandhill cranes if

hunting of cranes is authorized by DNR. The bill removes this condition. The

revenue from the wildlife damage surcharge fees is appropriated for use under the

wildlife damage program and other fish and game management activities.

The bill requires DNR to establish and conduct a sandhill crane hunter

education program. The bill repeals this requirement after two years.