HB5901 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 20567 CEL 66178 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB5901

Introduced 2/16/2012, by Rep. Roger L. Eddy

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

520 ILCS 5/2.45 new

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources, beginning with the 2013 deer hunting season, shall conduct an Earn-A-Buck pilot program. Provides that, upon reporting the taking of an antlerless deer, the hunter shall be issued an additional either-sex permit to allow the hunter to take an additional antlered deer, and that this additional permit shall not be counted toward one of the 2 antlered deer a hunter may take in a year, allowing a hunter who takes an antlerless deer to take up to 3 antlered deer in a year. Provides that the Department may adopt rules to establish and administer the Earn-A-Buck pilot program.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning wildlife.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Wildlife Code is amended by adding Section 2.45 as follows:

(520 ILCS 5/2.45 new)

Sec. 2.45. Earn-A-Buck program. The Department, beginning with the 2013 deer hunting season, shall conduct an Earn-A-Buck pilot program. Upon reporting the taking of an antlerless deer, the hunter shall be issued an additional either-sex permit to allow the hunter to take an additional antlered deer. This additional permit shall not be counted toward one of the 2 antlered deer a hunter may take in a year, allowing a hunter who takes an antlerless deer to take up to 3 antlered deer in a year.

The Department, after the 2014 deer hunting season, shall compare bag totals and herd management data from the 2013 and 2014 deer seasons with bag totals and herd management data from previous deer hunting seasons to determine whether the Earn-A-Buck program shall continue in the State to assist with deer herd management.

The Department may adopt rules to establish and administer the Earn-A-Buck pilot program.