Relating to deer depredation

This bill relates to deer depredation. Under current law, the wild animal depredation unit acts as the liaison to the department of natural resources (DNR) for the producers in the state who suffer crop, horticultural product, tree, or nursery damage. The bill changes the language to apply to producers in the state who suffer economic loss to agriculture, horticulture, or silviculture operations. Under current law, DNR is directed to issue depredation permits to a landowner who incurs crop, horticultural product, tree, or nursery damage of $1,000 or more due to wild animals. The bill directs DNR to issue both depredation permits and deer shooting permits to a landowner or a tenant who suffers an economic loss of $1,000 or more to agriculture, horticulture, or silviculture operations due to wild animals. The bill allows conservation officers to issue permits pursuant to the bill. The bill creates a designated deer depredation season from January through January 31. A person possessing a deer depredation license and tag or deer shooting permit may use a rifle with an approved cartridge, a shotgun, a muzzleloader, a handgun, a crossbow, or a bow during the designated season. The bill allows any deer taken with a depredation license or shooting permit to be disposed of by composting or wastage if the deer was taken by the person issued the license or permit.