INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana's four current high-fenced deer-hunting preserves would be the only ones allowed in the state under a bill endorsed by a legislative committee.

The House Natural Resources Committee voted 8-4 Monday to legalize the preserves where farm-raised deer are hunted.

The state appeals court ruled last week that the Indiana Department of Natural Resources overstepped its authority by trying to shut down the existing preserves.

The House committee adopted an amendment from bill sponsor Rep. Sean Eberhart of Shelbyville to limit the licensing to only those preserves operating at the end of 2014.

Several hunter and wildlife advocacy groups are against the legalization, saying the preserves offer "canned hunting" and increase the risk of spreading diseases to the state's wild deer.

The bill now goes to the full House.

Ok, so now we are at a crossroads. If we are successful in killing the HB1453 as written the four remaining shooting pen operators are not "grandfathered" in as legal businesses, but the recent appellate court ruling states IDNR has overstepped their authority on privately held cervids. This ruling would allow any owner of cervedai to allow the shooting on any acreage. a 1 acre pen with a farm raised deer or even a dog run of 3'X6' would allow the owner to sell and allow the killing of a privately held deer.

So the question is, do we risk the appellate court ruling going to The Indiana Supreme court and a ruling there? Do we try to kill the present bill? Or do we try to hold our noses and let the present bill pass?

Isn't government great........

Not that you're asking for opinion on this Joe, but I believe you support HB1453 as written or with some favorable oversight amendments.

The Attorney General would have to make the appeal to the Supreme Court. If that's not going to happen, you need to amend 1453 and make it as strong as you can with double fences and regular/frequent inspections and require Indiana hunting licenses, etc . I'd expect this to go to second reading in the House on Thursday so whatever happens has to happen fast. There is still a chance it can be stopped in the Senate.

Jack

There are some tight lips on the other side...." Mum's the word"....

I will never support high fence hunting! But as an officer of one of the sportsmen groups(IDHA) that has been involved for a decade......... I must pose the question.

My ultimate goal would be to motivate people to contact their Legislators both in the house and senate before it is too late.

"If" I was in the deer pimping business and had the court ruling of this past week AND had the legislative bill as proposed....... WHY would I want to compromise? I've got it all........ I'm legal and if the bill passes I am a monopoly of FOUR(4).

Again ...... I am against this.......... I just(the IDHA) can't get the bill killed without wide spread support.

Contact your friends, anyone you know who has an opinion..... If we don't sway the opinion in the house this may very well be lost.

This is a general sportsman and public issue. Either they speak up or the businesses should be approved in my opinion. The process has followed the path that this country has established and the outcome will be what the process produces. Many have stood up for what they believe and that's all that can be done and the outcome will be what it will be based on involvement of a broad based traction by citizens. Or, you can look at what is happening to the woman who got more votes then the governor, and you realize sometimes the citizens don't really have a voice at all.

Will the names of "hunters" be subject to open record requests? That might be fun to have.

HB1453 is going for 2nd reading in the House tomorrow. Contact your Indiana representative today!!!!

So what is the recommended approach???

Vote it down or amend ??

I'd recommend voting it down as the first choice. You can always amend it over in the Senate or in conference committee. If it gets voted down it increases the chance that the AG would appeal the appellate court decision and take it to the Supreme Court.

I just can't see the SC taking this on. Certainly could be wrong though. It's really no time to be emotional over this stuff but better to assess what can and can't be achieved, at least from materiality perspective in my opinion.

The bill as written would not grandfather 4 owners as reported it would be 9. this was confirmed by Eberhart yesterday!

Still better then 90 Joe.

So we would be up to nine vs. four?

The actual number is unclear and unimportant. 4, 9 or 15 preserves couldn't take in the deer from 400 game farms. They still have to export deer out of state.

Best I can fathom 9 would be most likely.

Oddly, as I watched today's action in the legislature, HB1453 was NOT brought forward for engrossment. Seems 2 amendments have been filed and rather than bring them to the House floor they delayed until next meeting.

Amendment #1 would require a $10,000 fine for each deer escape if not recovered in 10 days. It also requires sacrificing 10% of the herd for testing for CWD and TB.

Amendment #2 would require only Indiana-born deer to be used in high fence hunting preserves.

Keep writing those notes to legislators. If you have an especially effective idea to make this bill better get it out there.

Jack

P.S. On further reading amendment#1 would grandfather only those preserves open in 2014. It would also delete the language restricting DNR's ability to make restrictive rules.

Bill passed the House without amendments 55-39.

5 No votes and it would not have passed. Sportsmen do not care until they go in and shoot the crap out of the deer herd in their are after a TB case or cwd is trucked in. You would think they could be a little concerned. The whole industries cliental is out of state so it not opportunity for Hoosier hunters. See if people call their Senators.

Jack, did the Amish guy in Ohio obey the law? They did not report Yellow 47 here. It wasn't until BOAH found out they had PA deer here that was from a farm that had a deer test positive for CWD and went looking for it did BOAH know of the escape. We have had Elk shot and other types of deer shot all the time that escaped.

Doug - I think you hit on the reason Kentucky banned Indiana imports.

Jack

How they voted - House Roll Call #172:

http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/house/1453#document-76461cb0

This is what happens when you give one party a Super Majority status in both Houses...

Stupid crap like this gets passed... You don't have to look no further then the Glenda Ritz fiasco...

Amen Bryan.

Not necessarily so My Rep in the majority voted NO I have been in constant contact with him it helps for them to know your thoughts You Might have had a problem tho Bryan LOL

My rep voted "no" but he's in the minority and votes against this all the time. Senator is a different story.

Everyone needs to contact their senator and ask them to vote against this bill (HB1453).

Jack

Mine voted yes and an email stating my displeasure has been sent.

Received this email today:


Bryan,


Speaker Bosma received your message and truly appreciates you taking the time to share your concerns with House Bill (HB) 1453, this year's legislation dealing with hunting preserves. He requested that I reach out on his behalf so I wanted to touch base quickly and update you on the status of this legislation.


As you may know, HB 1453 passed out of the House on third reading by a vote of 55-39, and has been referred to the Senate for consideration. As this session progresses, I would encourage you keep updated on all legislative matters by visiting our website, www.iga.in.gov, where you can read bills, watch session and committees and much more.


Again, the Speaker truly appreciates your communication and hopes you will continue to contact him with further questions or concerns.


Respectfully,

Trent Fox
Deputy Staff Director
Indiana House of Representatives
Republican Caucus
(317) 232-9677

I emailed both Senator Leising and Senate Pro Tem Long... I urge everyone to email both your Senator and Senator Long....

Leising…….Like talking to the wall!!! :rolleyes:

Yes, yes it is...

Funny, the only time she or (Eberhart) answer me is when I return their surveys...

Well got a half-baked stupid response from Governor Pence's office:


STATE OF INDIANA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Governor Micheal R. Pence
State House, Second Floor
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Dear Bryan:

Thank you for contacting me regarding high fence deer shooting. It was a pleasure to hear from you.



America today faces many challenges, but also has plentiful opportunities. As your Governor, my vision is to renew the American dream for all Hoosiers.



Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions. Your participation is vital to my work in the Statehouse. Rest assured, I will certainly keep your views in mind.



Again, thank you for contacting me. It is an honor to serve as Governor and to have the benefit of your advice. If you would like more information on this or any other issue, please visit my website at www.in.gov/gov.

Sincerely,

Mike Pence
Governor


SERIOUSLY???? What the **** is this nonsense?

That nonsense is the same response I received a while back. Basically a yada, yada, piss off, thanks but I'm not doing anything...

Pence has bigger fish to fry. He'll leave it to the legislature as the DNR has been effectively taken out of the mix by the courts. And the legislature will leave it to the courts to rule on the AG's appeal. My guess is that the court will affirm and force the legislature's hand. They may just kick the can this year. But Pence will sign whatever they pass unless he thinks it's gonna hurt his chances in 2016 either here or in the bigger election.