97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB1163

 

Introduced 02/08/11, by Rep. Richard Morthland

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
520 ILCS 5/2.25  from Ch. 61, par. 2.25

    Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides for the use of black powder cartridges during the open deer season for muzzleloading rifles. Effective immediately.


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A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning wildlife.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Wildlife Code is amended by changing Section
52.25 as follows:
 
6    (520 ILCS 5/2.25)  (from Ch. 61, par. 2.25)
7    Sec. 2.25. It shall be unlawful for any person to take deer
8except (i) with a shotgun, handgun, or muzzleloading rifle or
9(ii) as provided by administrative rule, with a bow and arrow,
10or crossbow device for handicapped persons, as defined in
11Section 2.33, and persons age 62 or older during the open
12season of not more than 14 days which will be set annually by
13the Director between the dates of November 1st and December
1431st, both inclusive, or a special 2-day, youth-only season
15between the dates of September 1 and October 31. For the
16purposes of this Section, legal handguns include any centerfire
17handguns of .30 caliber or larger with a minimum barrel length
18of 4 inches. The only legal ammunition for a centerfire handgun
19is a cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a capability of at
20least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. Full metal
21jacket bullets may not be used to harvest deer.
22    The Department shall make administrative rules concerning
23management restrictions applicable to the firearm and bow and

 

 

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1arrow season.
2    It shall be unlawful for any person to take deer except
3with a bow and arrow, or crossbow device for handicapped
4persons, as defined in Section 2.33, and persons age 62 or
5older during the open season for bow and arrow set annually by
6the Director between the dates of September 1st and January
731st, both inclusive.
8    It shall be unlawful for any person to take deer except
9with (i) a muzzleloading rifle, or (ii) bow and arrow, or
10crossbow device for handicapped persons, as defined in Section
112.33, and persons age 62 or older during the open season for
12muzzleloading rifles set annually by the Director. A person may
13use black powder cartridges during the open season for
14muzzleloading rifles.
15    The Director shall cause an administrative rule setting
16forth the prescribed rules and regulations, including bag and
17possession limits and those counties of the State where open
18seasons are established, to be published in accordance with
19Sections 1.3 and 1.13 of this Act.
20    The Department may establish separate harvest periods for
21the purpose of managing or eradicating disease that has been
22found in the deer herd. This season shall be restricted to gun
23or bow and arrow hunting only. The Department shall publicly
24announce, via statewide news release, the season dates and
25shooting hours, the counties and sites open to hunting, permit
26requirements, application dates, hunting rules, legal weapons,

 

 

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1and reporting requirements.
2    The Department is authorized to establish a separate
3harvest period at specific sites within the State for the
4purpose of harvesting surplus deer that cannot be taken during
5the regular season provided for the taking of deer. This season
6shall be restricted to gun or bow and arrow hunting only and
7shall be established during the period of September 1st to
8February 15th, both inclusive. The Department shall publish
9suitable prescribed rules and regulations established by
10administrative rule pertaining to management restrictions
11applicable to this special harvest program. The Department
12shall allow unused gun deer permits that are left over from a
13regular season for the taking of deer to be rolled over and
14used during any separate harvest period held within 6 months of
15the season for which those tags were issued at no additional
16cost to the permit holder subject to the management
17restrictions applicable to the special harvest program.
18(Source: P.A. 94-919, eff. 6-26-06; 95-13, eff. 1-1-08; 95-329,
19eff. 8-21-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)
 
20    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
21becoming law.