Bill Text: MS HB609 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Special hunting season in state parks; revise eligibility for individuals who may be permitted of certain age and disabilities.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2014-02-04 - Died In Committee [HB609 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2014-HB609-Introduced.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2014 Regular Session

To: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

By: Representative Staples

House Bill 609

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 49-7-39 AND 49-7-40, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE AGE LIMIT FOR YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN  SPECIAL YOUTH HUNTS ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS FOR YOUTH AND DISABLED PERSONS FROM 16 TO 17 YEARS OF AGE; TO INCLUDE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND MENTALLY IMPAIRED IN THE CLASS OF INDIVIDUALS FOR WHOM SPECIAL HUNTING SEASON MAY BE ESTABLISHED IN STATE PARKS AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS; TO REMOVE THE LIMIT ON THE NUMBER PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION FOR PARTICIPATION IN SUCH HUNTING ACTIVITIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 49-7-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     49-7-39.  (1)  The commission shall establish a special hunting season for youth under the age of * * * sixteen (16)seventeen (17) and for * * * handicapped physically disabled and mentally impaired persons in the Natchez State Park.  The commission shall also establish a primitive weapon season in the Natchez State Park. * * * The selection of participants in the primitive weapon season shall be by public drawing from all qualified applications. The commission shall set the number of permits to be issued and the length of the special seasons.

     (2)  The commission may also establish a special hunting season for youth and * * * handicappedphysically disabled and mentally impaired persons or a primitive weapon season as provided in this section in any other state park under the jurisdiction of the department but shall only do so upon the recommendation of the staff of the department as approved by the commission.  * * *The commission shall select participants and set the number of permits to be issued and the length of the special seasons.

     (3)  The commission may establish and regulate special youth hunts for all nonmigratory game birds and animals outside of the open season on wildlife management areas and on private lands.

     (4)  The commission shall establish and regulate a special hunting season for youth under the age of * * * sixteen (16)seventeen (17) to run concurrently with the primitive weapons season on deer.

     SECTION 2.  Section 49-7-40, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     49-7-40.  The commission may adopt regulations to provide for a special hunt by handicapped persons in the natural area at Arkabutla Lake designated by the U.S. Corps of Engineers.  The hunt and any such regulations must be approved by the U.S. Corps of Engineers.  The following restrictions apply to any such hunt:

          (a)  The hunt shall be open to * * * wheelchair-bound physically disabled and mentally impaired persons;

 * * *(b)  Selection of participants shall be by public drawing from all qualified applications received;

  (c)  No more than thirty (30) permits shall be issued;

          ( * * *db)  The hunt shall not exceed a total of six (6) days;

          ( * * *ec)  A hunting license shall not be required of resident or nonresident applicants; and

          ( * * *fd)  Any other actions the commission and the U.S. Corps of Engineers deem necessary for a safe and productive hunt.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.

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