MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
By: Representative Evans (43rd)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-33.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT THE COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS SHALL ALLOW THE TAKING OF DEER WITH THE USE OF SUPPLEMENTAL FEED WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON A REQUIRED DISTANCE OR LIMITED CLEAR LINE OF SITE BETWEEN THE HUNTER AND THE DEER TO BE TAKEN OVER SUPPLEMENTAL FEED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 49-7-33.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
49-7-33.1. (1) (a) The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall allow the taking of deer with the use of supplemental feed * * * without any conditions or restrictions imposed on a required distance between, or the requirement of naturally occurring obstructions in the clear line of sight of the hunter and the deer for such taking.
(b) The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall establish a zone or zones of contiguous counties for the management and implementation of a program to allow the taking of deer with the use of supplemental feed.
(c) The commission shall allow the taking of deer with the use of supplemental feed on private lands only.
(2) The commission shall take any action it deems necessary and use its emergency powers to prevent the introduction of disease, to control disease, to eradicate disease, and to manage the taking of deer with the use of supplemental feed.
(3) (a) The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall study and analyze all relevant data and issues with regard to the taking of deer with the supplemental feed program, including, but not limited to, the impact that the program has upon the health and density of deer populations and other wildlife, its effect on surrounding habitat, the effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement, the extent to which hunters who participate in the program are successful in harvesting deer and are supportive of the program, the perception of the program by the general public, and the extent to which the program has a favorable impact on economic development and tourism.
(b) The department shall file annual progress reports with the Legislature. The department shall file a final report with recommendations on the feasibility of continuing the taking of deer with the use of supplemental feed.
(4) A violation of this section or any regulation of the commission promulgated under this section shall be punishable as a Class II violation as defined in Section 49-7-143, and if the violator is a nonresident, then upon conviction, he or she shall lose the opportunity to obtain a nonresident license as defined in Section 49-7-8.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.