SB 965

This bill imposes certain restrictions on the Department of Natural Resources's

regulation of deer hunting in the northern forest zone deer management area.

Specifically, the bill prohibits DNR from establishing an open season for hunting

deer in the northern forest zone during which only the hunting of antlerless deer is

authorized. In addition, the bill prohibits DNR from issuing authorizations to kill

antlerless deer in the northern forest zone.

The bill prohibits DNR from issuing to a person more than one authorization

to kill an antlered deer in the northern forest zone during either an open season for

hunting deer with a muzzle-loading firearm or an open season for hunting deer with

a firearm. However, the bill provides that if a person is issued such an authorization

but does not use it for the season for which it was issued, the person may use it during

the other season.

Similarly, the bill prohibits DNR from issuing a person more than one

authorization to kill an antlered deer in the northern forest zone during either an

open season for hunting deer with a bow and arrow or an open season for hunting

deer with a crossbow. If a person is issued such an authorization but does not use

it during the season for which it was issued, the person may use it during the other

season.

The bill sunsets these restrictions after four years.