MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Wildlife and Fisheries

By: Senator(s) Posey

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND THE DATE OF THE REPEALER ON THE PROVISION OF LAW THAT AUTHORIZES THE COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH BAG LIMITS FOR GAME ANIMALS, BIRDS AND FISH; TO CLARIFY CERTAIN LANGUAGE CONCERNING THE ANNUAL BAG LIMIT ON ANTLERED BUCK DEER; TO REDUCE THE BAG LIMIT ON ANTLERLESS DEER PER LICENSE YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-7-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-7-41. (1) The commission may set the bag limits for game animals, birds and fish, unless the bag limits are established by the Legislature by statute. This subsection shall stand repealed on July 1, 2004.

(2) (a) The bag limit on antlered buck deer is one (1) buck per day, not to exceed three (3) per license year. An antlered buck deer must have antlers of four (4) points or greater to be taken.

(b) The bag limit on antlerless deer is one (1) per day, not to exceed three (3) per license year; except that two (2) additional antlerless deer per license year may be taken with a bow and arrow. Antlerless deer may be taken only in the areas prescribed by order of the commission. It is illegal to take a spotted fawn in any season.

(c) It is unlawful for a nonresident to kill an antlerless deer except: (i) a nonresident may take antlerless deer on lands that the title is vested in the nonresident or on lands that the nonresident has leased the hunting and fishing rights; or (ii) a nonresident who has a native son or daughter nonresident lifetime sportsman license or a resident lifetime sportsman license may take antlerless deer on private lands, wildlife management areas or national wildlife refuges.

(3) The bag limit on antlerless deer set by this section shall not apply to private lands under the deer management assistance program or the fee-based antlerless program as approved by the department.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.