A significant threat to wildlife management has been introduced into the Alabama General Assembly. House Bill 509 (HB509) would prohibit state agencies from killing, testing, and prohibiting the transfer of captive deer due to disease except under certain circumstances and would establish that deer possessed by a licensee are the personal property of that licensee.
The National Deer Association (NDA) support the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) in their oversight and management of the captive deer-breeding industry and believe their authority should be maintained. Therefore, NDA opposes HB509 and urge Alabama hunters and wildlife enthusiasts to speak out against this bill.
Why Does This Matter?
This legislation would undermine wildlife management as well as disease mitigation. The threat of chronic wasting disease (CWD) poses a serious risk to Alabama’s wild deer, rural economies, and hunting heritage. In order to effectively mitigate the spread of CWD, and other wildlife diseases, the ADCNR must maintain authority over both captive and wild deer in the state. Therefore, captive deer operations, including deer breeders, should remain under the ADCNR.
This bill raises serious concerns regarding the privatization of wildlife, which directly goes against the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Public Trust doctrine states. Captive, or farm raised, deer should not be considered personal property of a deer breeder. Regardless of their location pertaining to a fence, all deer are a part of a public resource and belong under the authority of the state wildlife agency. NDA supports the existing structure and the current authority of the ADCNR over the monitoring, testing, and management of captive deer operations.
Take Action Now!
Alabama’s $1.2 billion hunting industry creates thousands of jobs, bolsters rural economies, and supports conservation funding. This industry must be protected from such harmful legislation. Contact your local legislator and ask them to vote NO on HB509. Together we can protect Alabama’s wild deer and safeguard the future of hunting for future generations.