Senate Bill 2860

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR HUNTING DEER WITH THE AID OF BAIT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-7-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-7-33. (1) (a) It is unlawful to hunt, trap or kill any wild bird or wild animal of any kind with the aid of bait, recordings of bird or animal calls, or electrically amplified imitations of calls of any kind, except a person may use electrically amplified sound devices for hunting coyote and crow. The commission, in its discretion, may relax the restrictions regarding the use of lures or sound devices if a condition arises or exists, as decided by the State Board of Health or county board of health, that may endanger persons or livestock in a certain community, county or area.

(b) A person may use liquid scents for any animal or bird.

(2) (a) Any person convicted of hunting deer with the aid of bait shall be subject to a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and to forfeiture of all hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months from the date of conviction.

(b) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent offense of hunting deer with the aid of bait is guilty of a Class I violation and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-141.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.