MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
By: Senator(s) Suber, Seymour
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO BUY OR SELL OR TO OFFER FOR SALE, EXCHANGE FOR MERCHANDISE, OR OTHER CONSIDERATION, ANY GAME BIRDS, GAME ANIMALS OR GAME FISH, OR PARTS THEREOF, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY PERMITTED BY LAW AS AN EXCEPTION PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 49-7-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
49-7-51. (1) (a) It is
unlawful for any person to buy or sell or to offer for sale, exchange for
merchandise, or other consideration, within this state, any game birds, game
animals, or game fish, or parts thereof, named in this chapter, whether taken within
or coming from without the state, except as specifically permitted by law * * * as an exception delineated by
the Legislature in this chapter.
(b) It is lawful for the following items to be bought and sold in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the commission:
(i) The skins and sinew of deer and products crafted, fashioned or made from deer bones or antlers not in velvet;
(ii) Any part of a wild turkey, except the meat; and
(iii) Any parts of nuisance animals.
(c) Mounted game animals, birds and fish may not be sold, purchased or leased.
(d) A violation of this subsection is a Class I violation and is punishable as provided in Section 49-7-141.
(2) Any person who buys, sells, offers for sale, exchange for merchandise, or other consideration, any wild bird, wild animal or fish that has been taken illegally is guilty of a Class I violation and punished as provided in Section 49-7-141.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.