MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Wildlife and Fisheries

By: Senator(s) Blackmon

AN ACT TO REQUIRE DEER TO BE DONATED FOR FOOD TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS IF THE DEER IS NOT UTILIZED BY A HUNTER; TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-55, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS TO SERVE DONATED GAME; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. If a person does not utilize a deer legally taken by that person, he shall donate the deer to any charitable organization providing food services to the poor. Any person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00).

SECTION 2. Section 49-7-55, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-7-55. (1) It is unlawful for any restaurant, hotel, club or other public eating place to knowingly have in its possession, or to offer for sale to its patrons, any game birds, game animals or game fish * * *, except that any * * * public eating place may prepare and serve game birds, game animals or game fish to any person who * * * legally took the game bird, animal or fish.

(2) This section does not apply to any charitable organization providing food services to the needy. Those charitable organizations may prepare and serve game that is donated to the organizations.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.