House Bill 560

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 49-7-58.3 AND 49-11-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO REGULATE THE HUNTING OF NONNATIVE CERVIDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-7-58.3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-7-58.3. (1) The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may regulate the hunting of nonnative cervids in noncommercial wildlife enclosures, and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may enforce such regulations and laws in the same manner as commercial wildlife enclosures as provided in Section 49-11-25.

(2) This section shall repeal on July 1, 2009.

SECTION 2. Section 49-11-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-11-3. (1) The department may issue operating licenses to any person, partnership, association or corporation for the operation of shooting preserves or commercial wildlife enclosures that meet the following requirements and any applicable regulations:

(a) Each shooting preserve shall contain a minimum of one hundred (100) acres in one (1) tract of leased or owned land (including water area, if any) and shall be restricted to not more than six hundred forty (640) contiguous acres (including water area, if any), except that preserves confined to the releasing of ducks only may be authorized to operate with a minimum of fifty (50) contiguous acres (including water area).

(b) The boundaries of each shooting preserve shall be clearly defined and posted with signs erected at intervals of three hundred (300) feet or less.

(c) Each commercial wildlife enclosure shall contain a minimum of three hundred (300) acres in one (1) tract of leased or owned land (including water area, if any). No commercial wildlife enclosure shall be constructed in such a manner as to allow ingress of native wild animals without providing means of egress.

(d) The preserve or enclosure must be privately owned and operated.

(2) The commission may issue any rules or regulations necessary to regulate shooting preserves and commercial wildlife enclosures and to enforce this chapter.

(3) (a) The commission may regulate the hunting of nonnative cervids within a commercial wildlife enclosure, and the department may enter such enclosure as provided under Section 49-11-25 and enforce such regulations.

(b) This subsection (3) shall repeal on July 1, 2009.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.