WV Farm Bureau Magazine January 2014 | Page 25

losses. The allocation of funds from this program to a county should be determined by the number of N stamps sold there in the prior season. Farm Bureau recommends an additional $5 fee on hunting licenses to reimburse farmers for crop damage. The rate of compensation for the Bear Damage Compensation Program should based on current market prices. The crossbow should be a tool of choice to harvest wildlife. DEER HERD REDUCTION Farm Bureau supports maintaining a deer herd at a level supported within their natural habitat so long as it does not adversely affect agriculture practices and production. DEER DAMAGE STUDIES Farm Bureau recommends that the economic losses caused by deer be ascertained. Specifically: A study by the Division of Forestry, Department of Agriculture and West Virginia University detailing losses to farm products, timber, grasslands, nursery products, agro forestry, gardens, landscaping, orchards, fences and any other property damage caused by deer. These studies should be collected every 5 years and used to guide the deer management plan. A study by the Insurance Commissioner detailing vehicle damages, injuries and loss of life due to collisions with deer. WVFB recommends the elimination of any costsharing program specifically designed to enhance the deer population. ELK MANAGEMENT West Virginia Farm Bureau believes that elk should not be a protected species in West Virginia. WILD BIRDS The term, “wild bird,” shall include only those birds that are hatched in the wild and at no time of their lives are pen-raised. BEAR SEASON WVFB believes the bear population should be maintained at or below the “cultural carrying capacity” of the range. TRESPASS & HUNTING LAW ENFORCEMENT Farm Bureau recommends that trespass and hunting laws be strictly enforced and that minimum trespass penalties be increased to $500. PALESTINE BASS HATCHERY We recommend that the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) continue to use and upgrade the Palestine Hatchery located in Wirt County. SUNDAY HUNTING West Virginia Farm Bureau is opposed to hunting on Sunday. NONRESIDENT HUNTING & FISHING LICENSES West Virginia Farm Bureau supports the concept that landowners, the children of landowners, and the parents of landowners shall not be required to purchase hunting or fishing licenses to hunt or fish on their own property. CLEAN WATER ACT AND AGRICULTURAL WATER QUALITY PROGRAMS West Virginia Farm Bureau supports the concept of cleaning up West Virginia water. The current focus of the Clean Water Act should remain that of achieving fishable and swimmable standards. Standards should not result in unfunded mandates for landowners or city and county governments and should be subject to sound cost/benefit and risk assessment analysis. The Clean Water Act should not alter state water rights and should encourage state control over these programs. Efforts to address nonpoint runoff should target impaired watersheds using a worst-case first approach. Efforts to control phosphorous content of runoff water should be applied to ALL contributors. West Virginia Farm Bureau will not condone the intentional pollution of any water sources. Any permitting system (such as CAFOs) should be based on scientific evidence that a problem exists before permitting is required. Farm Bureau wants to ensure that the Interpretative Rule regarding the nomination process for Ti