Bismarck, N.D. (KXNET)- A lengthy debate among state lawmakers, but before legislators went home for the weekend, they approved one bill proposed by deer hunters in North Dakota. On Friday, house lawmakers approved Senate Bill 2137, which was seeking to allow hunters to use up to 50 gallons of ba it in one spot to attract big game animals on private land.In the past few years, the Game and Fish Department has banned using bait in hunting units where chronic wasting disease has been found.Legislators who support the bill argue that the ban doesn't respect landowners' property rights.Friday's bill was broken into two sections along with two amendments, however both of those failed on the house floor. "But without a holistic look, the studies are worthless," Rep. Matthew Ruby from Minot said. "We take away game and fish's ability to ban baiting. That is one step in their toolbox, that's something they don't even have the data to back up if it makes that much of a difference, if any at all." "Game and Fish themselves plant food plots on a regular basis in just about every district there is. And yes, it helps sustain the deer herd. But it also helps them to congregate," Rep. Bill Tveit from Hazen said. "So, it's really no different than any other baiting, whether it's agricultural, production grain piles or the hunter baiting out there." In the latest version of the bill, any bait used must be kept at least 50 feet away from any livestock land.The bill on Friday passed the House 56-34.It now returns to the Senate.Last year, Game and Fish Department spokespeople say they tested 1,456 animals, 17 deer tested positive for CWD, 15 of those were shot by hunters. ...read more read less