17-239. Wildlife depredations; investigations; corrective measures; disposal; reports; judicial review

A. Any person suffering property damage from wildlife may exercise all reasonable measures to alleviate the damage, except that reasonable measures shall not include injuring or killing game mammals, game birds or wildlife protected by federal law or regulation unless authorized under subsection D of this section. A person may not retain or sell any portion of an animal taken pursuant to this subsection except as provided in section 3-2403.

B. Any person suffering such property damage, after resorting to the relief as is provided in subsection A of this section, may file a written report with the director, advising the director of the damage suffered, and the species of animals causing the damage, and the director shall immediately order an investigation and report by an employee trained in the handling of wild animal depredation.

C. The department shall provide technical advice and assist in the necessary anti-depredation measures recommended in the report, including trapping, capturing and relocating animals.

D. If harvest of animals is found to be necessary to relieve damage, the commission may establish special seasons or special bag limits, and either set reduced fees or waive any or all license fees required by this title, to crop that wildlife. If the commission determines that this cropping by hunters is impractical, it may issue a special permit for taking that wildlife to the landowner, lessee, livestock operator or municipality suffering damage, provided that the edible portions, or other portions as prescribed by the commission, of all the wildlife taken by the person suffering damage are turned over to an agent of the department for delivery to a public institution or charitable organization.

E. Except as provided in section 41-1092.08, subsection H, in the event any person suffering property damage from wildlife is dissatisfied with the final decision of the commission, the person may seek judicial review pursuant to title 12, chapter 7, article 6.