HB946: HB946 Game and fish; authorize hunting and trapping of feral hogs under certain circumstances

26 LC 44 3279/AP House Bill 946 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Clifton of the 131st, Rhodes of the 124th, Ridley of the 6th, Kelley of the 16th, Cannon of the 172nd, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to game and fish, so1 as to authorize hunting and trapping of feral hogs under certai n circumstances; to repeal2 provisions relating to wildlife control permits for feral hogs; to authorize location of feral3 hogs with unmanned aircraft systems; to provide for related mat ters; to repeal conflicting4 laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to game and fish, is amended in8 Article 1 of Chapter 2, relating to hunting, trapping, or fishing, by revising subsection (a) of9 Code Section 27-2-1, relating to hunting, trapping, or fishing without license or permit10 generally and nonresidents, as follows:11 "(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, fish, trap, or possess any wildlife or feral12 hog without first procuring all of the licenses, stamps, or per mits required or authorized13 under this title; provided, however, that persons may trap feral hogs without a hunting or14 trapping license, provided that such hogs shall be killed upon capture."15 H. B. 946 - 1 - 26 LC 44 3279/AP SECTION 2.16 Said title is further amended in said article by revising subse ction (b) of Code17 Section 27-2-31, relating to wildlife control permits, as follows:18 "(b)(1) In issuing a wildlife control permit, the department shall pr escribe the method,19 means, species, numbers, time limits, location, and any other conditions it deems necessary20 to ensure the continued viability of the wildlife population involved and to ensure that the21 public safety and interest are not compromised.22 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection, a wildlife control23 permit for feral hogs shall authorize the hunting or trapping of such feral hogs:24 (A) At night with a light except during the season prescribed for hunting deer;25 (B) From within a motor vehicle or while on a motor vehicle; and26 (C) By a Georgia resident without a hunting or trapping license if such hunting occurs27 on premises owned by the permittee or his or her immediate fami ly or leased by him28 or her or his or her immediate family and used primarily for raising or harvesting crops29 other than timber or for containing livestock or poultry. Nothing in this subparagraph30 shall be construed to affect or negate the terms of any lease agreement.31 (3) A wildlife control permit for feral hogs shall expire not less than five years from the32 issuing date; provided, however, that if the permittee is leasing the premises upon which33 the hunting is to occur, such permit shall expire automatically upon the termination of the34 lease. The department shall provide for the renewal of permits."35 SECTION 3.36 Said title is further amended in Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3, relating to general provisions37 regarding hunting, by revising Code Section 27-3-13, relating to hunting of wildlife or feral38 hog from boats, aircraft, or motor vehicles, as follows:39 H. B. 946 - 2 - 26 LC 44 3279/AP "27-3-13.40 (a) Except as provided in subsection (a.1) of this Code section, it It shall be unlawful to41 hunt any wildlife or feral hog from an electric, gas, or diesel boat, a steamboat, a sailboat,42 an aircraft, a hydroplane, a hovercraft, or a motor vehicle; ex cept that alligators may be43 hunted from any boat or watercraft under power and feral hogs may be hunted on private44 property, subject to the provisions of Code Section 27-3-24, from motor vehicles in45 accordance with an applicable wildlife control permit issued by the department.46 (a.1) Unmanned aircraft systems, as such term is defined in Code Section 6-1-4, may be47 used to locate feral hogs, subject to all applicable laws and regulations governing the use48 of unmanned aircraft systems.49 (b) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be50 guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not51 less than $250.00 and, in the discretion of the sentencing court, imprisonment confinement52 for not more than 12 months; provided, however, that such fine shall not be subject to53 suspension, stay, or probation except that if the court finds that payment of such fine would54 impose great economic hardship upon the defendant, the court may order such fine paid in55 installments."56 SECTION 4.57 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.58 H. B. 946 - 3 -