An AP article by Dale Wetzel brings to light some of the issues surrounding North Dakota’s ban of the sale of hunting rights separate from the land itself. 

According to the article, Some legislators believe that hunting rights should never be sold without the property because it makes it difficult to determine who has rights to the land in future years, which could make it hard to sell the real estate or find solutions to legal problems.  Others believe that while it may be a bad practice, the government shouldn’t dictate what landowners can and can’t do with their land. 

From the article:

North Dakota is the only state known to ban selling the right to hunt on property separately from the land itself, and some question whether the restriction is fair or legal.

This was a big issue in the past legislative session.  As I remember it, the practice was temporarily banned while a legislative committee studied it.  The question for the upcoming legislative session is whether or not the ban will be made permanent.

We’ve got some intelligent folks in office.  I’m sure it will be a lively debate with good points made on both sides–definitely an issue to watch.