MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Wildlife and Fisheries

By: Senator(s) Posey

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR THE SALE OF WILD ANIMALS, BIRDS OR FISH OVER A CERTAIN VALUE; TO PROVIDE THAT SECTION 49-7-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, APPLIES TO WILD ANIMALS, BIRDS AND FISH IN ADDITION TO GAME ANIMALS, BIRDS AND FISH; 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) 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 or regulation. * * * The skins and sinew of deer may be bought and sold at any time.

(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.

(3) Any purchase, sale, offer for sale, exchange for merchandise, or other consideration of such animals, birds or fish, that has a value of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) or more shall be a felony, and any such person or persons committing such felony shall be subject to a fine of not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or may be imprisoned for a term not to exceed one (1) year, or both. Any violation of this section of less than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) in value is a Class I violation and is punishable as provided in Section 49-7-141.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.