Negotiations successful on hunting, Thursday, April 21, 2005

Illinois Farm Bureau negotiations helped move forward bills impacting non-resident deer archery permits and county stormwater commissions in the General Assembly last week. Lawmakers worked to meet last Friday’s deadline for passing legislation on third reading in their respective chambers.

IFB believes compromise wording added to HB1074 will move state archery permit restrictions closer to IFB policy, according to Kevin Semlow, IFB director of state legislation.

Under the amended HB1074, the number of non-resident deer archery permits would increase to a minimum of 20,000 from the current 15,000. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) also could increase the cost of a non-resident archery permit up to $435 each, compared to the current $225.

The IFB board agreed to the compromise after Rep. Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville) committed to a revisit of the issue later, Semlow explained. Reitz agreed to re-examine the restriction on non-resident archery permits after accurate information is obtained on the number of non-residents who apply for archery permits this hunting season.