Hunting of sandhill cranes, wildlife damage abatement assistance and claim payments for damage caused by sandhill cranes, and making an appropriation. (FE)

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.