House Bill 1529

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROJECT ALLOWING THE HUNTING OF DEER OVER BAIT OR SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD IN CLARKE, COVINGTON, JASPER, JONES, NEWTON AND SMITH COUNTIES; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO FILE A REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS COMMITTEE AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS COMMITTEE AND TO INCLUDE IN ITS REPORT ITS RECOMMENDATION AS TO THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING THE PILOT PROJECT ON A STATEWIDE BASIS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall establish a pilot project allowing the hunting of deer over bait or supplemental food. The project shall be limited to Clarke, Covington, Jasper, Jones, Newton and Smith Counties, and shall be managed and conducted strictly in accordance with such rules and regulations as the commission may establish. The commission shall have the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks study and analyze all relevant data and issues with regard to the project, including, but not limited to, the impact that the project has upon the health and density of deer populations and other wildlife, its affect on surrounding habitat, the effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement, the extent to which hunters who participate in the project are successful in harvesting deer and are supportive of the project, the perception of the project by the general public, and the extent to which the project has a favorable impact on economic development and tourism.

On or before the first day of the 2006 Regular Session of the Legislature, the department shall file a report of its findings and recommendations concerning the pilot project with the Chairman of the House Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committee. The department shall include in its report its recommendation as to the feasibility of establishing the pilot project on a statewide basis.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.