I am writing to express my opposition to House Bill 509 (HB509), which has been introduced in the Alabama General Assembly. This bill poses a significant threat to effective wildlife management and disease control in the state, and I urge you to vote NO on HB509.
HB509 seeks to prohibit state agencies from killing, testing, or restricting the transfer of captive deer due to disease, except under specific circumstances. It would also designate the deer possessed by a licensee as the personal property of that licensee. I believe it is vital for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) to maintain authority over the captive deer-breeding industry in the state.
This legislation would undermine the critical role that the ADCNR plays in managing wildlife and mitigating the spread of diseases such as chronic wasting disease (CWD). CWD poses a serious risk to Alabama’s wild deer populations, rural economies, and the hunting heritage that is so integral to our state. To effectively combat the spread of CWD and other wildlife diseases, the ADCNR must retain oversight over both captive and wild deer.
HB509 raises serious concerns about the privatization of wildlife, which conflicts with the principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Captive deer should not be considered personal property of deer breeders. Regardless of where they are located—whether inside a fence or in the wild—deer are a public resource, and their management should remain under the authority of the state’s wildlife agency.
Alabama’s hunting industry contributes $1.2 billion annually to our state’s economy, creating thousands of jobs, bolstering rural economies, and supporting conservation funding. We must protect this vital industry from harmful legislation like HB509. I strongly urge you to vote NO on HB509 and protect the future of Alabama’s wild deer and the hunting community for generations to come.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter. I look forward to your support in preserving responsible wildlife management in our state.
