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.


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A BILL FOR

 

HB0479 LRB094 06233 JAM 36303 b

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

 

 

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1 cartridges during the open season for muzzleloading rifles.
2     The Director shall cause an administrative rule setting
3 forth the prescribed rules and regulations, including bag and
4 possession limits and those counties of the State where open
5 seasons are established, to be published in accordance with
6 Sections 1.3 and 1.13 of this Act.
7     The Department may establish separate harvest periods for
8 the purpose of managing or eradicating disease that has been
9 found in the deer herd. This season shall be restricted to gun
10 or bow and arrow hunting only. The Department shall publicly
11 announce, via statewide news release, the season dates and
12 shooting hours, the counties and sites open to hunting, permit
13 requirements, application dates, hunting rules, legal weapons,
14 and reporting requirements.
15     The Department is authorized to establish a separate
16 harvest period at specific sites within the State for the
17 purpose of harvesting surplus deer that cannot be taken during
18 the regular season provided for the taking of deer. This season
19 shall be restricted to gun or bow and arrow hunting only and
20 shall be established during the period of September 1st to
21 February 15th, both inclusive. The Department shall publish
22 suitable prescribed rules and regulations established by
23 administrative rule pertaining to management restrictions
24 applicable to this special harvest program.
25 (Source: P.A. 93-37, eff. 6-25-03; 93-554, eff. 8-20-03;
26 revised 9-15-03.)