HARRISBURG – After hearing from countless farmers across the 59th Senate District about the damage caused by deer overpopulation, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is sponsoring legislation to give landowners and agricultural producers stronger tools to manage the problem and protect their crops.
Senate Bill 710 makes it easier for farmers to get permits to harvest deer and help curb the deer nuisance issues facing Illinois farmers.
“Deer overpopulation continues to cause widespread damage on crops and farmland across Southern Illinois and our farmers are the ones paying the price,” said Senator Fowler. “This legislation is about giving them the ability to take action and protect their livelihoods.”
As an initiative of IDNR and the Illinois Farm Bureau, Senate Bill 710 would loosen regulations concerning nuisance permits and landowner permits by providing for the automatic issuance of additional antlerless-only permits during the regular firearm or archery season if a landowner demonstrates proof of harvesting certain percentages.
The Senate proposal also makes landowners owning at least 40 acres and tenants on at least 40 acres of commercial farmland eligible to receive free deer and turkey permits to hunt on that land. These permits would include one either-sex and one antlerless-only permit for both firearm and archery deer seasons. Landowners who hold nuisance permits would also be allowed to authorize other individuals to hunt on their property to help remove problem deer. The bill also allows IDNR to issue one guest either-sex deer permit and one guest antlerless-only deer permit if the landowner owns 240 acres or more of Illinois land.
“Farmers in Southern Illinois have been loud and clear about this issue,” said Fowler. “We listened, we engaged with IDNR, and now we are taking action. This bill is a real step toward protecting our local farmland while managing our wildlife population responsibly.”
Senate Bill 710 builds on efforts Senator Fowler launched last year, when he brought together farmers from across the 59th Senate District for a special Agricultural Advisory Committee focused specifically on the deer nuisance issue. During that meeting, IDNR officials came to Southern Illinois to hear firsthand from farmers about the costly damage being caused by deer and the need to find real solutions to help combat the deer nuisance issue throughout the state.
“I’m thankful to IDNR and the Illinois Farm Bureau for working with us to put forward this legislation,” added Fowler.
Senate Bill 710 is currently pending in the Illinois Senate.
