Nearly 30 state lawmakers today signed a letter opposing shortening Ohio's deer hunting season proposed by the state Division of Wildlife.
The lawmakers – 11 senators and 18 House members, mostly Republicans – questioned the basis for rule changes that would eliminate the statewide two-day gun season in late December, and reduce the number of deer that can be killed per hunter in 13 counties.
“The weekend in question is an important opportunity for late-season hunters to harvest approximately 15,000 deer based on recent figures,” the letter said. “We support more opportunity to harvest deer in Ohio, not less.
The letter also says that in the rural counties with reduced deer limits, “reports from our constituents are that more deer exist now in the counties, not less, and thus a larger harvest is justified.”
The lawmakers also opposed proposals to eliminate urban deer hunting and special muzzleloading deer hunts in southeast Ohio.
Hunting is important as a source of food and for limiting deer populations that can cause crop damage and road accidents, the letter said. “Maintaining consistency with Ohio’s values and hunting legacy is an important safeguard for opportunity and prosperity.”
http://dispatchpolitics.dispatch.co...ly-briefing/2013/04/4-15-13-more-hunting.html
The lawmakers – 11 senators and 18 House members, mostly Republicans – questioned the basis for rule changes that would eliminate the statewide two-day gun season in late December, and reduce the number of deer that can be killed per hunter in 13 counties.
“The weekend in question is an important opportunity for late-season hunters to harvest approximately 15,000 deer based on recent figures,” the letter said. “We support more opportunity to harvest deer in Ohio, not less.
The letter also says that in the rural counties with reduced deer limits, “reports from our constituents are that more deer exist now in the counties, not less, and thus a larger harvest is justified.”
The lawmakers also opposed proposals to eliminate urban deer hunting and special muzzleloading deer hunts in southeast Ohio.
Hunting is important as a source of food and for limiting deer populations that can cause crop damage and road accidents, the letter said. “Maintaining consistency with Ohio’s values and hunting legacy is an important safeguard for opportunity and prosperity.”
http://dispatchpolitics.dispatch.co...ly-briefing/2013/04/4-15-13-more-hunting.html