MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
By: Representative Kinkade
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-38, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW PERSONS EXEMPT FROM HAVING A HUNTING LICENSE BY REASON OF DISABILITY TO USE AN AIR RIFLE DURING ANY OPEN SEASON ON DEER, TURKEY OR SMALL GAME WITH GUNS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 49-7-38, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
49-7-38. (1) (a) Any person who is exempt from having a hunting license and any person licensed to hunt deer with a bow or primitive weapon may hunt with a crossbow or bow and arrow during any open season on deer, turkey or small game.
(b) A person exempt from having a hunting license by reason of total service-connected disability, as adjudged by the Veterans Administration, or who has been adjudged to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration, or who is paraplegic or a multiple amputee, may hunt with an air rifle during any open season on deer, turkey, or small game with guns. For the purposes of this section, "air rifle" means any gun that discharges a pellet, BB or other projectile of any kind by means of compressed air or gas propellant with a force that can reasonably be expected to cause bodily harm.
(2) When hunting during any gun season on deer, the hunter must comply with Section 49-7-31.1.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.