Senate Bill 2495

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS MAY ALLOW THE BAITING OF DEER ON PRIVATE LANDS; TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION TO ENACT REGULATIONS TO INSURE PROTECTION OF THE DEER POPULATION IF THE COMMISSION ALLOWS THE USE 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) 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:

(a) May use electrically amplified sound devices for hunting coyote and crow;

(b) May use liquid scents for any animal or bird; * * *

(c) May use lures for trapping furbearing animals, beaver, coyote, fox and nutria according to regulations adopted by the commission; and

(d) May hunt deer with the aid of bait on privately owned or leased lands if the commission allows the use of bait as provided in subsection (4).

(2) 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.

(3) A person may use bait to trap wild hogs as defined in Section 49-7-140 during the period between the end of Spring turkey season and the beginning of deer season with bow and arrow.

(4) The commission may allow the hunting of deer with the aid of bait on privately owned or leased lands. If the commission allows the use of bait, the commission shall issue regulations to implement a baiting program, to control disease and to insure the protection and proper management of the deer population. The commission may set fees for any permits or licenses it may require.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.