HB 3596
Directs the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to study mule deer in the Steens Mountain herd range area.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
75%
Oppose
25%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill directs the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to conduct a study of mule deer in the Steens Mountain herd range area. The study will examine factors like maternal condition, habitat, and predation to understand their impact on the deer population. The department must report its findings to the Legislative Assembly by September 15, 2028, and the study is funded with $2 million.
Key provisions
- The State Department of Fish and Wildlife will study mule deer in the Steens Mountain herd range area.
- The study will investigate the effects of maternal condition, habitat, and predation on mule deer.
- The department must use metrics consistent with previous studies of similar herd ranges.
- The study must begin by December 31, 2026.
- The department must submit a report to the Legislative Assembly by September 15, 2028.
- The study is funded with $2 million from the General Fund.
- The study will be conducted for a period of two years.
- The study’s findings may inform future legislation.
Who is affected
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Mule deer in the Steens Mountain herd range area
- Legislative Assembly committees related to natural resources
- Oregon residents
Notable changes
- The bill allocates funding for a specific study of mule deer.
- It establishes a deadline for the department to submit its findings to the legislature.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of the bill generally agree that immediate action is necessary to protect the mule deer population, with some testifiers arguing that additional research is not required to inform effective management strategies. Many believe that a study to understand the decline of mule deer in specific areas, such as the Steens region, would provide valuable insights into the complex relationships between predators, agricultural interests, and wildlife populations. Some express concerns about the potential consequences of declining mule deer numbers, including increased predation pressure on other species, while others caution against further expenditure on the issue, suggesting that existing resources should be prioritized to achieve tangible results.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
allocating $2,000,000 from the general fund to study mule deer, citing a need for a more cost-effective approach. Instead, they propose an alternative moratorium on hunting in the Steens Mountain herd range area, which could potentially lead to an increase in mule deer population. Concerns about the scientific basis for the proposed study and the effectiveness of funding for wildlife management are also raised, with some testifiers suggesting that a hunting moratorium may be a more effective way to manage mule deer populations.
Source: Testimony Summaries