State Rep. Kay Hatcher, R-Yorkville, issued the following press release:
Legislation signed into law will help Illinois farmers protect their cattle pastures and other grazing land from deer and other nuisance animals, said State Rep. Kay Hatcher, the measure’s chief sponsor. On Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair today, the Governor signed Hatcher’s House Bill 5115 which for the first time allows nuisance permits to be issued for animals that damage cattle pastures.
“With the drought conditions persisting all across the state, it’s more important than ever to protect the grazing lands still available to our livestock from deer and other competitors from the wild,” Hatcher said.
Once a complaint of a nuisance animal has been made, the Department of Natural Resources will investigate, an if it is determined that the damage can only be abated by removing the nuisance animal, a permit to do so will be authorized.
“This common-sense addition to the wildlife code was suggested by a local farmer at one of my traveling office hours visits; and now it’s the law in Illinois. It’s a perfect example of how government should always work for citizens.” Hatcher said.
