Bill Text: GA SB474 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Wildlife; possession of native wild animal killed by motor vehicle; provide exceptions and conditions

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 4-2)

Status: (Passed) 2010-06-03 - Effective Date [SB474 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-SB474-Engrossed.html

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10 LC 21 0789S (SCS)

Senate Bill 474

By: Senators Thomas of the 54th, Hill of the 4th, Orrock of the 36th, Murphy of the 27th, Thompson of the 33rd and others

AS PASSED SENATE

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to hunting of wildlife, so as to prohibit running bears with dogs except under certain conditions; to provide that in general any person may take possession of native wildlife which has been killed by a motor vehicle; to provide exceptions and conditions; to require notification in the case of bear; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to hunting of wildlife, is amended in Code Section 27-3-16, relating to hunting with dogs generally and training of hunting dogs, by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"(f) It shall be unlawful to run bears with dogs except in counties with an open season for hunting bears with dogs."

SECTION 2.

Said article is further amended by revising paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of Code Section 27-3-26, relating to hunting bears, restrictions, and penalties, as follows:

"(3) Possess or transport a freshly killed bear or bear part except during the open season for hunting and taking bears and except as provided in Code Section 27-3-28."

SECTION 3.

Said article is further amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

"27-3-28.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, any person may lawfully possess native wildlife which has been accidentally killed by a motor vehicle. The following exceptions and conditions to this general rule shall apply:

(1) Any person taking possession of a bear accidentally killed by a motor vehicle shall notify the department or a law enforcement officer of the fact and location of the taking of possession and his or her name and address within 48 hours after taking possession of the bear; and

(2) This Code section shall not authorize any person to take possession of any animal of a species designated as a protected species under Article 5 of this chapter or under federal law.

(b) A law enforcement officer receiving a report of a person taking possession of a bear under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code section shall in turn transmit the reported information to the department within 48 hours after receipt of such information."

SECTION 4.

Said article is further amended by repealing and reserving Code Section 27-3-47, relating to collision with a deer by a motor vehicle, as follows:

"27-3-47.

Reserved. Any person who, while driving a motor vehicle, is involved in a collision with a deer shall, if the deer is killed, immediately notify the nearest conservation ranger or sheriff's office. If there exists a charitable institution or prison within the county which can make use of the carcass, the conservation ranger may deliver the carcass to the institution for consumption and shall obtain receipts therefor. If no such institution exists within the county and there is no cause to question the accidental killing of the deer, the conservation ranger may, at his discretion, award the carcass to the person who hit the deer, to be possessed and consumed only by the immediate family of such person. Receipts shall be acquired for a deer so awarded."

SECTION 5.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.