Hunters could purchase a license allowing the harvest of baited whitetail deer and feral swine under a bill approved Thursday by the House of Representatives.

HB 21 by Rep. Jack Williams, R-Gilmer, would provide procedures for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to issue a baiting privilege license. Current law allows the feeding of feral swine and deer if the feed is beyond 100 yards and not in line of sight of the hunter. However, interpretation and enforcement of the rule has varied. 

Williams’ legislation would allow issuance of the annual bait privilege license for $14, plus a $1 issuance fee, for in-state hunters. An amendment was approved to increase the fee for non-residents to $50.

HB 21 passed 79-14.