Tribal officials and conservation groups on Wednesday raised their objections with an incoming ballot initiative that will soon go out for signature gathering.
Initiative 193 would allow landowners to hunt on private land within the boundaries of Native American reservations. In public comment at a legislative hearing on the proposal Wednesday, opposition from Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal leaders, along with several outdoor advocacy organizations, eclipsed the support registered by two proponents, one of which is the proposal sponsor.
The language in the petition, also available online, is as follows:
"I-193 will allow increased hunting opportunities for landowners. If passed, the initiative prohibits hunting regulations that would impose or effect a prohibition on a landowner hunting deer, elk, or black bear on the landowner’s private property during a statewide general hunting season."
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