HB0479 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 06233 JAM 36303 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB0479

Introduced 1/27/2005, by Rep. John E. Bradley

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

520 ILCS 5/2.25

from Ch. 61, par. 2.25

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

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 changing Section 2.25 as follows:

(520 ILCS 5/2.25) (from Ch. 61, par. 2.25)

Sec. 2.25. It shall be unlawful for any person to take deer except (i) with a shotgun, handgun, or muzzleloading rifle or (ii) as provided by administrative rule, with a bow and arrow, or crossbow device for handicapped persons as defined in Section 2.33, during the open season of not more than 14 days which will be set annually by the Director between the dates of November 1st and December 31st, both inclusive. For the purposes of this Section, legal handguns include any centerfire handguns of .30 caliber or larger with a minimum barrel length of 4 inches. The only legal ammunition for a centerfire handgun is a cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a capability of at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. Full metal jacket bullets may not be used to harvest deer.

The Department shall make administrative rules concerning management restrictions applicable to the firearm and bow and arrow season.

It shall be unlawful for any person to take deer except with a bow and arrow, or crossbow device for handicapped persons (as defined in Section 2.33), during the open season for bow and arrow set annually by the Director between the dates of September 1st and January 31st, both inclusive.

It shall be unlawful for any person to take deer except with (i) a muzzleloading rifle, or (ii) bow and arrow, or crossbow device for handicapped persons as defined in Section 2.33, during the open season for muzzleloading rifles set annually by the Director. A person may use black powder cartridges during the open season for muzzleloading rifles.

The Director shall cause an administrative rule setting forth the prescribed rules and regulations, including bag and possession limits and those counties of the State where open seasons are established, to be published in accordance with Sections 1.3 and 1.13 of this Act.

The Department may establish separate harvest periods for the purpose of managing or eradicating disease that has been found in the deer herd. This season shall be restricted to gun or bow and arrow hunting only. The Department shall publicly announce, via statewide news release, the season dates and shooting hours, the counties and sites open to hunting, permit requirements, application dates, hunting rules, legal weapons, and reporting requirements.

The Department is authorized to establish a separate harvest period at specific sites within the State for the purpose of harvesting surplus deer that cannot be taken during the regular season provided for the taking of deer. This season shall be restricted to gun or bow and arrow hunting only and shall be established during the period of September 1st to February 15th, both inclusive. The Department shall publish suitable prescribed rules and regulations established by administrative rule pertaining to management restrictions applicable to this special harvest program.

(Source: P.A. 93-37, eff. 6-25-03; 93-554, eff. 8-20-03; revised 9-15-03.)