McCook Daily Gazette: Column: : Reducing the deer population

All over Nebraska, the deer population has been increasing significantly for the past several years. In many areas, the damage done to crops being eaten by deer and the damage to vehicles after hitting a deer is very costly. That is why I am hopeful that Legislative Bill 836, introduced by Sen. Lautenbaugh, which makes changes to our game law to help decrease our deer population, will continue to advance through the Legislature.

The bill advanced last week from the first round of debate to Select File with a 34-0 vote. The committee amendment, which replaced the introduced copy and became the bill, made several changes.

First, is allows the Game and Parks Commission to extend an existing deer hunting season for deer depredation. Permits issued under this provision would specify which species of deer, what the bag limit would be, and the dates for the beginning and end of a depredation or extended season. The bill would also allow any weapon legally used during a normal season to be used during a depredation season.

LB 836 would get rid of three current requirements under this same section of law. It eliminates the requirement that the permits be issued beginning no less than three days from the season announcement, that only one deer per permit be allowed, and that landowners be reimbursed for half the cost of the permit for proof of a lawfully killed deer.

Second, a new requirement that income from depredation permits be used to help pay for abatement of damage caused by deer was included in LB 836. The bill also provides for unlimited free permits for the taking of antlerless deer for immediate family of landowners who own at least 20 acres of farm or ranch land within any depredation area designated by Game and Parks.

I hope that these new provisions will help reduce the damage caused by Nebraska's overpopulation of deer.

Finally, an amendment by Sen. Louden was adopted that establishes a depredation permit system for mountain lions that are killing livestock or poultry. The commission is required to confirm that a mountain lion caused damage, and then they can issue you a free depredation permit.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this bill or any issue please call my office at 402-471-2805 or for more information you can view my legislative website at http://news.legislature.ne.gov/dist44/.

Why has the deer population been increasing significantly? Has it really or is the mule deer population going down and white tail going up. It seems they are 2 different animals. How many years has the G & P been working on this problem and can't seem to get the white tail and mule deer populations in line. Maybe the Director needs another assistant too help guide them or listen to the Game Wardens in the state.(It seems they know more than the Directors and assistants.)

In the Unicamerial Update, dated March 12,2010,

LB836, you stated that seven drivers in your family hit 32 deer on roads in one year and you have seen 600 too 1,000 deer in your fields, which have greatly reduced your crop yields.

If this is true, how can you keep farming?

32 vehicles in one year??? (Thats a lot of accidents)

600 to 1,000 deer would eat everything and farming would be a complete failure.

Stop and think how much water that amount of deer would need daily???

No wonder the streams and creeks are dry!!!!!

Seems something needs done at once!!!!!!!!!

-- Posted by Just a reader on Tue, Mar 16, 2010, at 10:08 AM

You tell me just a read, what is the difference between a mule and white tail, it it the tail? Chris can't count when you have a 1,000 deer because they keep moving. I know your wife and him are friends so convince her to have more children and it will take care of the deer problem.

-- Posted by Oh what a wonderful day on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 5:11 PM