SB 2155

[BrockW]

Bill to change Pronghorn gratis tag allocation.

More to follow.

 

[BrockW]

Currently century code dictates that landowner’s receive the first 50 pronghorn buck tags in each unit. After the first 50 tags are given to landowners there is a 50-50 split with the remainder of the tags.

This creates a situation where multiple units see over 90% of the tags go to landowners and several other units see more than 70% of the tags go to landowners. It’s purely a function of tags available. If populations were significantly higher, this would be a nonissue. But pronghorn populations are down across the entire continent and ND is no exception.

SB 2155 would remove the language that allocates the first 50 tags to landowners and makes it a straight 50/50 split.

For 2024 tag numbers, this would’ve put 172 pronghorn buck tags back into the public draw.

 

[scrotcaster]

Change it how ?

 

[Lycanthrope]

With the low numbers of pronghorn, should there even be a gratis tag? If there is it should require LARGE amounts of land to qualify.

 

[sweeney]

How about they change the elk gratis as well.

 

[zoops]

When 90%+ of some units' tags are going to gratis it might be time for a look at a tweak.

 

[BrockW]

https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo2155.html#2155

 

[wslayer]

Now now fellas, you all know that landowners raise these critters so should get a tag each and every year.

 

[Jiffy]

Take away ALL gratis tags

 

[Downrigger]

Take away ALL gratis tags

Nah

 

[wct12]

Im not a super big fan of the way the gratis system is set up for pronghorns.. but taking away ALL gratis tags is the fastest way to get access shut down no matter the species.

 

[BrockW]

Take away ALL gratis tags

Yeah, I don’t think that point of view is particularly helpful to these discussions. But I can understand why you might be frustrated. I think Wyatt’s take highlights part of the issue. Some, not all, but some, landowners have this idea that they should get whatever they want or they will take away access. Though, I’ll be honest, most I’ve known to say that had their land posted anyway.

But ya know, Aldo Leopold once said "Conservation will ultimately boil down to rewarding the private landowner who conserves the public interest."

I look at a lot of these issues, and don’t see a lot of landowners doing that. They’re out there, I know some of them. But I would guess that if one is standing in front of you and hanging access over your head to get something he wants, you can rest assured he’s probably peeing on your shoe too.

 

[wct12]

Yeah, I don’t think that point of view is particularly helpful to these discussions. But I can understand why you might be frustrated. I think Wyatt’s take highlights part of the issue. Some, not all, but some, landowners have this idea that they should get whatever they want or they will take away access. Though, I’ll be honest, most I’ve known to say that had their land posted anyway.

But ya know, Aldo Leopold once said "Conservation will ultimately boil down to rewarding the private landowner who conserves the public interest."

I look at a lot of these issues, and don’t see a lot of landowners doing that. They’re out there, I know some of them. But I would guess that if one is standing in front of you and hanging access over your head to get something he wants, you can rest assured he’s probably peeing your shoe too.

Landowners have every right to give access or not give access. The ability to get a gratis tag is a nice perk for land owners (some guys say no no matter what and can still get a gratis) that allow sportsmen the ability to recreate on their land.

And it would be their choice to do whatever they choose with their land in a state that is over 90% private. Gratis tags hopefully keep more private land open to sportsmen. I guess as a sportsman the possibility of losing access to that many acres is something I don’t want to risk.

Without the ability to receive gratis tags (deer is all we apply for) I, along with others, would probably be more stingy about access, but that’s my personal opinion I guess. I consider a gratis tag a small reward for allowing sportsmen’s to recreate on my private land that I put effort to create habitat on and help improve.

 

[Obi-Wan]

Im not a super big fan of the way the gratis system is set up for pronghorns.. but taking away ALL gratis tags is the fastest way to get access shut down no matter the species.

Access ? What the hell is this access thing you speak of ?

 

[wct12]

Access ? What the hell is this access thing you speak of ?

I’ve been pretty fortunate with access to hunting opportunities and a lot of it is building relationships with land owners. Definitely get told no and hung up on more than a few times a year though haha

 

[Jiffy]

Access is complete shit anyway. Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.

Take away ALL GRATIS TAGS!! Fuck'em.....

 

[Lycanthrope]

Take away ALL gratis tags

Change gratis to only qualify if you have X amount of acres open to public hunting. Gratis tags can ONLY be filled on the land you have made public access during the regular season. Maybe 640 acres minimum to qualify. Give gratis hunters 1 week before public season opens to fill their tags. Seems reasonable to me.

 

[49994]

I think a straight 50-50 split on tags is a bit much as well. There are people waiting 10plus years for a tag and not drawing. With such a limited number of tags landowners should be capped at a percentage of the number of available tags and no guarantee of a tag the next year. I would have to look at the draw numbers to be more specific with the percentage.

 

[scrotcaster]

if this passes ,, what happens in years if good tag numbers,, land owners would get way more than 50 tags. Iam very leery about this. Might look good in the short term but if populations rebound ,, are we shooting ourselves in the foot?

 

[bravo]

Change gratis to only qualify if you have X amount of acres open to public hunting. Gratis tags can ONLY be filled on the land you have made public access during the regular season. Maybe 640 acres minimum to qualify. Give gratis hunters 1 week before public season opens to fill their tags. Seems reasonable to me.

Same for elk. Only I’d add that you must own land that actually holds elk and can only hunt your property. Maybe only eligible for a bull once since depredation is part of the justification and cows eat hay too.