AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 20.1-03-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to youth deer hunting permits.
Summary
SB 2309 amends North Dakota’s big game licensing law to adjust youth deer hunting eligibility. Under current law, a person generally must be at least 14 years old to apply for or receive a big game hunting license, with an exception for bow hunting. This bill adds a specific youth deer hunting provision for individuals whose 11th, 12th, or 13th birthday occurs in the same year as a youth deer hunting season, allowing them to receive either a statewide white-tailed antlerless deer permit or another antlerless deer permit designated by gubernatorial proclamation.
The bill also preserves and clarifies youth antelope hunting eligibility for individuals whose 12th or 13th birthday occurs in the same year as an antelope season. Youth hunters under these provisions must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or another adult authorized by the parent or guardian, and the bill defines “accompanied” as remaining within uninterrupted visual contact and unaided verbal communication. The measure is a targeted amendment to section 20.1-03-11 of the North Dakota Century Code and does not broadly change general big game licensing rules beyond these youth exceptions.
Impact
SB 2309 changes state hunting law by creating or clarifying age-based exceptions for youth deer and antelope permits, affecting the Game and Fish licensing framework and the administration of big game seasons. It specifically impacts young hunters, parents or guardians, and the state officials responsible for issuing permits and setting season-specific deer opportunities by proclamation. The bill narrows its effect to youth antlerless deer and antelope hunting and leaves the broader 14-and-over licensing rule intact for other big game hunting.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate unanimously and the House with only one dissenting vote, suggesting general agreement with expanding or clarifying youth hunting opportunities. The lack of committee transcript material also indicates there was little recorded public dispute in the available materials.
Contention
No major points of contention are evident in the available record. The only visible opposition was a single no vote in the House, but no explanation is provided. Any potential concerns would likely center on youth hunting age limits, wildlife management, and supervision requirements, but the bill text and vote history do not show organized opposition or a substantive debate over those issues.