House Passes House Bill 1585 to Lower Deer-Related Vehicle Accidents (STATEHOUSE) Feb. 17, 2009 - The Indiana House of Representatives voted Tuesday to increase the deer bag limit in the top 30 counties for deer-related vehicle collisions for the next three years. The intent of higher bag limits will reduce the deer population, reducing the number of accidents in those counties. The House passed House Bill 1585, authored by Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy), by a 79-13 vote. "This has become a serious public health, safety and property damage issue in the state, especially my district #23," said Rep. Friend. "I am pleased the House agrees with my bill and will address the issue this way." Since 2003, deer-vehicle collisions are up 25 percent. District 23 contains five counties, and four of them are in the top 30 counties for deer-related accidents. These five, with their rankings: Kosciusko, 1; Marshall, 4; Elkhart, 6; Miami, 30; and Fulton, 36 according to State Police statistics. House Bill 1585 would double the deer bag limit for the next three years, and it would increase the amount of antlerless deer taken in the top 30 counties for the next three years. Also, the firearm season would be extended by seven days. Rep. Scott Reske (D-Pendleton) attached an amendment, with the Department of Natural Resources knowledge, allowing hunters to use a crossbow during the firearm season in the ranked 30 counties. This has become a property damage concern in the state. More than $120 million in insurance claims have been filed because of deer-vehicle accidents. "This is still a work in progress," said Rep. Friend. "I will work with the Senate and the DNR as the bill progresses through Senate hearings." House Bill 1585 will next be heard by the Senate. |
