News Releases for March 2004
March 9, 2004
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Statement Of Gov. John Hoeven On Minnesota's Hunting Lawsuit
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to a lawsuit filed by Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch today challenging North Dakota’s right to manage its wildlife resources:
“North Dakota has not only the right, but the responsibility to manage wildlife, hunting and fishing within its borders. Minnesota itself exercises that very same right, and makes distinctions in licensing between resident and nonresident sportsmen, as do most states. It does not make any sense to sue North Dakota for doing what Minnesota itself does. We will vigorously defend the lawsuit.
“Last year more than 11,000 Minnesota residents hunted waterfowl in North Dakota. On the other hand, South Dakota limited nonresident waterfowl licenses to a total of 4,000 hunters. Yet Minnesota is suing North Dakota because we reserve the opening week for residents. It’s just not consistent.
“Attorney General Hatch needs to think through what he’s asking for, because if his argument prevails, Minnesota will lose the right to regulate wildlife, hunting and fishing within its own borders. I doubt that’s what Minnesotans really want.
“We in North Dakota will continue to build our resource and manage it in a way that is both fair and balanced, and best serves our citizens and our state. Minnesota will likely do the same, and litigation will not serve either one of us.”
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