This legislative session in North Dakota has brought forward a range of bills related to chronic wasting disease (CWD). While we have seen some of these harmful bills fail, like HB1236, which would have prohibited using hunting license and permit fees for CWD surveillance and management, and HB1325, which would have narrowed criteria for positive CWD detections, we must remain vigilant. These bills may still reappear in other forms, and harmful measures are still being considered. There are currently two key bills that could significantly undermine wildlife management efforts in North Dakota and set a dangerous precedent for CWD management.
Act Now: Stand Against HB1147 and SB2137
HB1147 – An Unwarranted Interference with Wildlife Management
House Bill 1147 represents a dangerous overreach into the North Dakota Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (NDFWD) ability to manage its own budget and wildlife health priorities. For years, funding from hunting and fishing license fees has been crucial to supporting wildlife management efforts, including disease surveillance and rapid response to CWD outbreaks.
By prohibiting the department from using these funds for CWD testing and management, HB1147 would severely limit NDFWD’s ability to protect North Dakota’s deer population and broader ecosystem. Effective management of CWD requires constant monitoring, and these license fees are a vital resource for that effort. This bill not only jeopardizes the department’s ability to combat CWD but could lead to unchecked disease spread, devastating local wildlife populations and eroding the state’s long-standing commitment to sustainable wildlife management.
SB2137 – A Direct Attack on Effective CWD Mitigation
Senate Bill 2137, which has already passed the House and is heading to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, poses another critical threat to wildlife management in North Dakota. This bill would strip the NDFWD of its authority to regulate supplemental feeding and baiting, essential tools in managing CWD and preserving the health of the state’s deer herds.
We oppose SB2137 because it undermines the expertise of the department and removes scientific, evidence-based management strategies that protect our wildlife. Removing the department’s ability to regulate supplemental feeding would increase the concentration of wildlife in certain areas, raising the risk of disease transmission, especially CWD. Without the authority to control these practices, the department will be unable to take necessary actions to slow the spread of CWD, risking the health of our deer population and threatening future hunting opportunities.
Why It Matters:
Chronic wasting disease is an ever-growing threat to wild deer. Without adequate surveillance and proper disease management, CWD could cause long-term harm to deer populations, disrupt ecosystems, and reduce hunting opportunities. These bills would not only undermine the department’s authority to protect wildlife but could also set back years of scientific progress in CWD management.
What You Can Do: Take action now using the links above to contact your legislators and urge them to vote against HB1147 and SB2137. Advocate for policies that empower the North Dakota Department of Fish and Wildlife to use professional, science-backed strategies to manage CWD and protect the state’s wildlife. Your voice is crucial in this fight to protect North Dakota’s deer population and ensure that wildlife management is guided by sound science and expertise, not politics. Let’s stand together to oppose these harmful bills and support responsible, effective CWD management in North Dakota.