Bill Text: WV HB3185 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: To allow all licensed hunters in the 4 trophy counties to automatically qualify to use a crossbow, after age 65
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-16 - To House Agriculture and Natural Resources [HB3185 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2021-HB3185-Introduced.html
WEST virginia legislature
2021 regular session
Introduced
House Bill 3185
By Delegate Dean
[Introduced March 16, 2021; Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary]
A BILL to amend and reenact §20-2-5g of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allowing the use of a crossbow to hunt in counties that have no big game firearms season by residents age 65 or older.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 2. WILDLIFE RESOURCES.
§20-2-5g. Use of a crossbow to hunt.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, any person lawfully entitled to hunt may hunt with a crossbow during big game firearms season. A person who possesses a valid Class Y permit may also hunt with a crossbow in accordance with §20-2-42w of this code. Further, the director shall designate a separate season for crossbow hunting and identify which species of wildlife may be hunted with a crossbow.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, any resident of this state age 65 or older lawfully entitled to hunt may hunt any legal species of wildlife with a crossbow during the designated season in any county in which there is no big game firearms season. Persons hunting with a crossbow pursuant to this subsection must have a valid statewide hunting license or must be exempt from licensure and must carry on his or her person a valid West Virginia driver’s license or nondriver identification card issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles for age and residency verification.
(b) (c) Only crossbows meeting all of the
following specifications may be used for hunting in West Virginia:
(1) The crossbow has a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds;
(2) The crossbow has a working safety; and
(3) The crossbow is used with bolts and arrows not less than 16 inches in length as measured from the leading end of the shaft, including the insert, to the trailing end of the shaft, including the nock, with a broad head having at least two sharp cutting edges, measuring at least three fourths of an inch in width.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to allow the use of a crossbow to hunt in counties that have no big game firearms season by residents age 65 or older.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.
