Sponsor Statement for CS HB 364 (RES)

There are two main reasons why CSHB 364 (RES) was introduced. The first is for conservation reasons and requires nonresident hunters to take a moose hunting orientation course offered by the Department of Fish and Game. With present moose antler restrictions for nonresident hunters, a 50 inch minimum or spike/fork regulations in effect in most game management units, there is a concern that it is very difficult for nonresidents to determine whether or not a moose is legal. With the requirement for an orientation course hopefully less sublegal moose will be killed and wasted.

One of my main concerns and another reason for the introduction of this legislation is to reduce the waste of moose meat. The purpose for the transporter requirement is an effort to reduce waste of moose meat by those who may not have the knowledge or capability, for whatever reason, to care for the meat in the field. Transporters will now be held be held responsible for spoilage or wanton waste if they fail to check on their clients and take moose meat out of the field before waste or spoilage can occur. A large number of nonresidents are now using transporter services to get into the field. The transporters currently have no responsibility for the actions of those they are providing services for.

Last updated 03-23-98

Sponsor Statement for House Bill 364

The purpose of House Bill 364 is to require nonresident hunters to be accompanied in the field by a registered guide while hunting moose. With present moose antler restrictions for nonresident hunters, a 50 inch minimum in most game management units, there are major conservation reasons for this guide requirement.

• The inability of inexperienced hunters to judge 50 inch minimum antler requirements.
• Abandonment of sub legal moose constitutes a wasteful situation.
• Inability of unaccompanied nonresidents to care for and preserve large amounts of moose meat.

There are benefits for the requirement of a registered guide in these hunts,

• Guided hunts would reduce the number of nonresidents harvesting moose in direct competition with local hunters.
• The responsibility of judging legal bulls and the preservation of meat is placed on the guide which is subject to tight scrutiny by enforcement and commerce.
• The state would be compensated for land use fees paid to DNR. These fees are not collectible from drop off hunts conducted by transporters or air taxi operators.
• Hunting pressure would be more widely dispersed instead of concentrated.

One of my main concerns, however, is the waste of meat. Transporters cannot be held responsible for spoilage or wanton waste while guides by law must make certain that waste does not occur or else risk the consequences of losing his or her guide license.