HANK WILLIAMS JR. supports Alabama deer hunters

A bill to repeal the state law restricting the use of corn or other bait as an aid in deer hunting passed a Senate committee today with an endorsement from country music legend Hank Williams Jr.

Williams, an avid hunter known for singing about the outdoors and rural life, said there are times when it's good to have the option to use bait, such as when a hunter takes along a child, a disabled person or an injured veteran and wants to make sure they have a chance to kill a deer.

Williams said many other states have no restrictions on hunting with bait and that Alabama has more deer than it ever has.

He also said he has seen the current rule, which says the hunter must be more than 100 yards away and out of line of sight of any bait, is not always fairly enforced.

Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, the bill's sponsor, said deer cause millions of dollars in damage in vehicle accidents every year.

Whatley said it's the fifth year he has tried to get the legislation passed.

The bill would also remove restrictions on using bait to hunt feral swine. But it would not affect restrictions on using bait to hunt turkey.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is not taking a position on the legislation.

The bill passed the Agriculture Conservation and Forestry Committee by a 9-2 vote. It goes to the Senate.

Sens. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville and Larry Stutts, R-Sheffield, voted against it.

"This country boy doesn't need the bait," Sanford said.

Williams said he didn't need to use bait, either.

Williams talked about learning to love hunting from his family. He said his father loved squirrel hunting.

Williams closed his remarks to the committee with a reference to one of his father's most famous songs.

He said long ago, an American Indian armed with a bow and arrow might have used corn to attract a deer.

That Indian might have been named Kowaliga, Williams said.

After the committee meeting, Williams spent time posing for pictures with lawmakers, lobbyists, pages, legislative staffers and others at the State House.