Two bills sponsored by State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) aimed at helping hunters and landowners manage Illinois’ growing deer population have passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly unanimously and now await the Governor’s signature.
“These proposals come directly from conversations with people in our communities—farmers, hunters, and landowners—who are feeling the impact of deer overpopulation,” said Senator Fowler. “We’re trying to give them practical solutions and make sure state resources are used wisely.”
House Bill 2339 would require the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to stop using sharpshooters to manage chronic wasting disease (CWD) in areas where the disease has not been detected in the past three years. The goal is to cut down on unnecessary government intervention and give local hunters and landowners more control over population management.
House Bill 2340 focuses on improving access to Landowner Deer Permits in counties affected by CWD. The bill would allow Illinois residents who own at least 20 acres of land, tenant farmers, or others with qualifying land rights to obtain free permits, making it easier for those most impacted to defend their property and crops.
The bills, which received broad bipartisan backing, are now headed to the Governor’s desk for final approval. If signed into law, the measures would represent a significant shift in the state’s approach to deer population and disease management.
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