host posted on February 22, 2006 22:00
The Indiana House has narrowly approved an amendment that would shut down about 50 private bird-hunting preserves in seven years.
The amendment, sponsored by Rep. David A. Wolkins, R-Winona Lake, would not stop the Indiana Department of Natural Resources from holding its so-called put-and-take bird hunts, in which officials release pheasants and quail on state property and let registered hunters shoot them. But Wolkins wants to end those hunts, too.
He linked the amendment to DNR Commissioner Kyle Hupfer's decision to shut down fenced-hunting operations for deer. A House-approved bill would give those operations seven years to close so their owners can recoup some of their investment. But the bill stalled in the Senate, where President Pro Tempore Robert D. Garton, R-Columbus, said he won't take a vote on it.
Wolkins said it would be hypocritical to close down the deer-hunting operations but allow the bird preserves to operate.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060223/NEWS01/602230426/1006
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