AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 10 of section 20.1-03-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to nonresident deer bow licenses.
House Bill 1260 amends North Dakota law governing nonresident deer bow licenses. The bill changes subsection 10 of section 20.1-03-11 of the North Dakota Century Code to require that 15% of the total mule deer licenses and permits made available in the immediately preceding current year for the regular gun season be made available to nonresidents to hunt any deer with bow and arrow.
In practical terms, the bill preserves and clarifies a set-aside of deer hunting opportunities for nonresident archery hunters by tying the allocation to the number of mule deer licenses and permits available for the regular gun season. It affects the state’s game and fish licensing system and the distribution of deer hunting access between resident and nonresident hunters, particularly those seeking bow-and-arrow tags.
The bill amends a wildlife licensing provision in the North Dakota Century Code, specifically section 20.1-03-11(10), by adjusting the formula for nonresident deer bow licenses. It impacts the Game and Fish Department’s administration of deer hunting permits and the allocation of hunting opportunities among resident and nonresident applicants. The change is narrow but directly affects hunters, license availability, and the state’s management of mule deer and archery deer seasons.
The bill appears to have received broad legislative support. It passed the House 87-3 and the Senate 45-1, indicating strong bipartisan approval and little recorded opposition. No committee transcripts were provided, but the voting margins suggest the measure was generally viewed favorably as a routine wildlife licensing adjustment.
The main potential point of contention is the allocation of deer hunting opportunities to nonresidents, since any set-aside can be viewed as reducing access for resident hunters. However, the overwhelming vote totals indicate that any disagreement was limited. The bill’s narrow focus on bow-hunting licenses and its use of an existing percentage-based allocation likely reduced controversy.