1 HB503
2 217659-6
3 By Representative Sorrells
4 RFD: Agriculture and Forestry
5 First Read: 15-MAR-22
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8 SYNOPSIS: This bill would allow certain owners and
9 operators of deer enclosures to register with the
10 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources,
11 to pay a registration fee, and begin gun deer stalk
12 hunting earlier than other privately owned or
13 leased lands.
14 This bill would also authorize certain
15 public officers to enter the property, to enforce
16 game and fish laws, and revoke a future
17 registration for violations; and authorize the
18 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to
19 adopt rules.
20
21 A BILL
22 TO BE ENTITLED
23 AN ACT
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25 Relating to deer hunting; to allow certain land
26 owners to register and pay a fee for an earlier deer season
27 start date; to authorize certain public officers to enter the
Page 1 1 property of certain registered deer enclosures to enforce game
2 and fish laws and revoke future registrations for violations;
3 and to authorize the Department of Conservation and Natural
4 Resources to adopt rules.
5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
6 Section 1. (a) Any person, firm, corporation, or
7 association operating an enclosure for any game animal of the
8 species of the family cervidae, as defined in Section
9 9-11-500(1), that complies with Chapter 11 of Title 9, Code of
10 Alabama 1975, and all applicable rules promulgated by the
11 Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources thereunder,
12 including, but not limited to, the rules governing the release
13 of captive raised cervidae, rules governing deer enclosures,
14 and rules related to restrictions on possession, sale,
15 importation, and/or release of certain animals, may register
16 such enclosure annually with the Department of Conservation
17 and Natural Resources.
18 (b) The registration fee shall be two thousand five
19 hundred dollars ($2,500) per year and shall be subject to
20 adjustment as provided for in Section 9-11-68, Code of Alabama
21 1975. The registration form shall be prescribed by the
22 Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources. All
23 registration forms and fees must be submitted on or before
24 July 1 of each year. All registration fees collected by the
25 Department shall be paid into the Game and Fish Fund of the
26 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Page 2 1 Section 2. (a) The period during which deer may be
2 hunted by gun deer stalk hunting methods, as those are defined
3 by rules adopted by the Department of Conservation and Natural
4 Resources, for registered enclosures shall be established by
5 the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources
6 pursuant to Section 9-2-7, Code of Alabama 1975, and shall be
7 equal to the minimum number of consecutive calendar days set
8 by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources for
9 any gun deer stalk hunting on privately owned or leased lands.
10 (b) The hunting period may begin on the earliest
11 date set by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural
12 Resources for any deer season and shall not extend past the
13 last date set for any gun deer stalk hunting on privately
14 owned or leased lands.
15 Section 3. Duly authorized agents of the Department
16 of Conservation and Natural Resources, game wardens, and other
17 law enforcement officers authorized to enforce game and fish
18 laws shall have authority to enforce all game and fish laws
19 and regulations on all registered deer enclosures and are
20 authorized to enter and inspect registered enclosures.
21 Section 4. (a) Any person, firm, corporation, or
22 association violating any provision of this act shall be
23 guilty of a Class C misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof,
24 shall be punished as provided by law.
25 (b) In addition to the penalties in subsection (a),
26 any person, firm, corporation, or association who violates
27 this act, or any rules promulgated pursuant to this act, shall
Page 3 1 not be eligible for registration pursuant to this act or
2 eligible to service as an officer of any firm, corporation, or
3 association registered pursuant to this act.
4 Section 5. The Commissioner of the Department of
5 Conservation and Natural Resources may adopt rules to
6 implement and enforce this act.
7 Section 6. This act shall become effective
8 immediately following its passage and approval by the
9 Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.
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