MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2024 Regular Session

To: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

By: Representative Kinkade

House Bill 1206

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-31.4, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE DATES ON OPEN SEASON FOR FUR-BEARING ANIMALS AND HUNTING OPOSSUMS, RACOONS AND BOBCATS WITH DOGS AND GUNS; TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-31.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED BY HOUSE BILL NO. 526, 2024 REGULAR SESSION, TO CLARIFY THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH HUNTERS MUST WEAR SOLID UNBROKEN FLUORESCENT ORANGE OR SOLID UNBROKEN FLUORESCENT PINK; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 49-7-31.4, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     49-7-31.4.  (1)  The commission may fix the open season on fur-bearing animals between November 1 and March * * *1 15 next following and fix the open season for hunting opossums, raccoons and bobcats with dogs and guns by licensed hunters from October 1 to * * *February 28 March 15 next following; but raccoons and bobcats may be run, hunted, chased or pursued throughout the year with dogs by licensed hunters.

     (2)  The commission may establish an additional open season on raccoon from July 1 through October 1, and the bag limit on raccoon during the additional open season shall be one (1) per party, per night.

     (3)  When the open season on fur-bearing animals, including any additional open season on raccoon, ends on a Friday, the commission shall have the authority to extend the season until thirty (30) minutes after sunset on the following Sunday.

     SECTION 2.  Section 49-7-31.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended by House Bill No. 526, 2024 Regular Session, is amended as follows:

     49-7-31.1.  (1)  When hunting deer during any * * * gun firearm season on deer, * * * a every hunter, whether hunting with a firearm, bow and arrow or any other weapon, must wear in full view at least five hundred (500) square inches of solid unbroken fluorescent orange or solid unbroken fluorescent pink, except as otherwise provided in this section. * * *  This requirement shall not apply to a hunter while the hunter is in a fully enclosed deer stand.

     (2)  Hunters shall not be required to wear the five hundred (500) square inches of solid unbroken fluorescent orange or solid unbroken fluorescent pink required under subsection (1) of this section when:

(a)  Hunting from a deer stand that is elevated twelve (12) feet or more above the ground; or

(b)  Hunting in a fully enclosed blind.

     ( * * *23)  A violation of this section is a Class III violation and is punishable as provided in Section 49-7-101.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

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