COLUMBIA - An
array of hunting and fishing bills under consideration in the
General Assembly would force freshwater fishermen to purchase a new
special stamp to pay for hatcheries, require hunters to wear bright
orange clothing and make it easier for wildlife officers to
prosecute rogue hunters.
Legislators are debating several of the bills this week. A few
are controversial, according to Sen. Greg Gregory, R-Lancaster,
chairman of the Senate Fish Game and Forestry Committee and sponsor
of about six of the bills.
One of Gregory's proposals expected to meet with resistance would
require trout and bass fishermen to purchase a new $5 licensing
stamp similar to the $10 stamp already required for saltwater
fishing. About $500,000 would be raised to support the state's
hatcheries.
"Some people see this as a tax increase," Gregory said. But the
Department of Natural Resources, which has seen its work force
decline by 20 percent because of budget cuts in recent years,
desperately needs additional money to pay for hatchery operations,
he said.
"DNR had seven hatcheries, but now only three are still
operating," Gregory said. "Some fishermen will spend thousands of
dollars on boats and equipment, yet complain about a $5 stamp."
Another proposal would raise the license fee for combination
hunting/fishing licenses from $20 to $25 annually, again to generate
much needed revenue for the DNR. Gregory said the bill will probably
be expanded to include higher fees for out-of-state hunters and
fishermen as well.
Gregory also is sponsoring a bill that would make it easier for
DNR officers to cite hunters for illegal night hunting and
out-of-season deer hunting.
"As it stands now, DNR officers have to catch hunters actually
shooting the gun or getting ready to shoot to make a case against
them," Gregory said.
The proposal would allow officers who suspect illegal activities
to charge hunters if they have "readily accessible" weapons and
ammunition that are clearly inappropriate for the time or day or
hunting season, Gregory said.
A bill that would raise the catch limits for red drum from two to
five daily is opposed by Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-Bluffton.
A bill that would require hunters to wear bright orange clothing
won second reading approval in the House on Tuesday.
"This bill is definitely going to save somebody from getting
shot," said Rep. Herb Kirsh, D-Clover, one of the bill's sponsors.
"It just says you have to wear something orange when you hunt so
other hunters can see you. I can't believe it's not the law
already."
Karen Addy can be reached at (803) 256-3800 or at mailto:kaddy@heraldonline.com.
