In a recent meeting of the Oregon House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water, significant discussions centered around Senate Bill 812, which aims to make the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's (ODFW) landowner preference program permanent. This program, which has been in place for over 40 years, allows private landowners to receive hunting tags for deer and elk on their properties, thereby incentivizing wildlife stewardship.

The meeting featured testimonies from various stakeholders, including representatives from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, and the Oregon Forest Industries Council. David Wiley, a lead volunteer for the Elk Foundation, expressed strong support for the bill, emphasizing that the program has matured over the years and should not be subject to periodic reviews. He argued that the stability of the program is essential for landowners who have invested in wildlife management.

Kyle Smith, representing the Nature Conservancy, highlighted the program's role in promoting wildlife habitat on private lands, which is crucial for both conservation efforts and community engagement. He noted that the Conservancy has donated hunting tags to local service organizations, allowing more individuals to connect with nature and support various community initiatives.

Michael Lias from the Oregon Forest Industries Council echoed these sentiments, stating that the program benefits landowners by providing hunting opportunities while also addressing wildlife-related damages to crops. He pointed out that the program has been stable for over a decade and no longer requires a sunset clause.

Lauren Kenzie from the Oregon Farm Bureau reinforced the importance of the bill, noting that it recognizes the vital role of private landowners in sustaining wildlife populations. She emphasized that the unanimous support for the bill in the Senate reflects a broad consensus on its value across agricultural and conservation communities.

The committee's discussions underscored the importance of collaboration between landowners and conservationists in managing Oregon's natural resources. As the bill moves forward, it is expected to solidify the partnership between private landowners and state wildlife management, ensuring that both agricultural interests and wildlife conservation efforts can thrive together. The next steps will involve further deliberations and potential voting on the bill, which has already garnered significant support from various stakeholders.