I am reaching out as a concerned constituent regarding House Bill 1147, which is currently under consideration during this legislative session. This bill poses a significant threat to the North Dakota Department of Fish and Wildlife's (NDFWD) ability to protect our deer populations from Chronic wasting disease (CWD), and I urge you to vote against HB1147.

Why This Matters:

HB1147 would prohibit the department from using hunting and fishing license fees for CWD testing and management, resources that are critical for tracking and controlling the spread of this devastating disease. For years, the department has relied on these fees to fund vital disease surveillance efforts. Without this funding, the NDFWD will lose the ability to monitor CWD outbreaks, leaving our wild deer herd vulnerable to unchecked disease spread.

This bill directly undermines the flexibility and expertise of North Dakota’s wildlife management professionals. If passed, HB1147 could lead to long-term harm to both the deer population and broader ecosystems.

What I Ask of You:

Please vote against HB1147 and continue to support policies that empower the North Dakota Department of Fish and Wildlife to manage CWD through science-based strategies. CWD is a growing threat, and now is not the time to undermine the tools our wildlife experts need to protect our state’s deer population.

We must ensure that wildlife management decisions remain grounded in science, not political agendas. Please consider the long-term health of North Dakota's wildlife and the sustainable management of our natural resources.

Thank you for your time and for your continued support in protecting North Dakota's wildlife.