Act No. 122

(H.555)

Fish and wildlife; game; youth hunting

This act amends the requirements for youth deer hunting and youth turkey hunting weekends and amends how penalties for violations of the youth hunting weekends are assessed.

A youth hunter must be 15 years of age on the weekend of the hunt, and the youth hunter must hold a youth deer hunting or youth turkey hunting tag.

The licensed hunter accompanying a youth hunter must have direct control and supervision of the youth hunter, and the licensed adult can accompany no more than two youth hunters at a time.

The act doubles the scheduled fine for a violation of youth deer hunting weekend or youth turkey hunting weekend, and the fine will be assessed against the licensed adult accompanying the youth hunter.

The points assessed for violation of youth deer hunting weekend or youth turkey hunting season shall be assessed against the licensed adult accompanying the youth hunter.

The fish and wildlife board is required to report to the general assembly in 2011 with a recommendation as to whether a youth hunting or youth deer hunting weekend should be limited to the taking of one deer prior to the youth's turning 16 years of age.

The act also amends the definition of "fur-bearing animal" to include weasel, opossum, lynx, and wolf so that the fish and wildlife board can adopt rules to regulate or prohibit hunting of those animals.

The act repeals the statutory dates for muskrat season in order to allow the fish and wildlife board to set the season by rule.

Date Signed by the Governor:  May 26, 2010

Effective Date:  July 1, 2010