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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is working to improve a law that took effect in January and gave landowners and farmers more flexibility to hunt deer on their property. Farmers across the state told lawmakers nuisance deer cause expansive and costly damage to their crops and farmland.
The Illinois deer removal permit application allows for up to 10 people to hunt on someone’s property. IDNR officials told the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules this section of the law is generally for owners of large farm fields.
The department said people could be struggling with deer damage, but they may not be hunters themselves.
“But they have individuals that they know that would be willing to do that for me,” IDNR Acting Deputy General Counsel John Fischer said. “So, this allows them to list those people, and then they would be authorized to use those permits to take the deer that are causing damage.”
IDNR’s proposed rule states these permits will not be issued for fencing knocked down by deer until landowners attempt to alleviate the problem by installing colored vinyl electric fencing. Yet, some lawmakers are concerned the language is too vague.
“I’m not familiar with colored vinyl electric fencing,” said Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro). “I’m familiar with white fencing like you use for horses. But what is an electric colored vinyl fence?”
Fischer said the word electric refers to bright colors that deer will be able to see, rather than electricity for fences.
Sen. Sally Turner (R-Lincoln) said these changes may be confusing for farmers, and she believes there should be more public education about the rules.
“I would have a partnership with IDNR and say we’re going to come talk about anything that has to do with this specific thing,” Turner said. “Is that something that you folks already do or would be willing to do to help us out?”
IDNR officials said they are more than willing to provide more information to people applying for permits. Fischer explained INDR’s wildlife biologists spend quite a bit of time answering calls and emails about nuisance deer and other animals.
The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules approved the agency’s rule Tuesday. However, they would like to see the department tighten its language before the end of the year.