HB3019 EngrossedLRB097 06059 CEL 46132 b

1    AN ACT concerning wildlife.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Wildlife Code is amended by changing Section
53.8 as follows:
 
6    (520 ILCS 5/3.8)  (from Ch. 61, par. 3.8)
7    Sec. 3.8. Migratory waterfowl areas; geese.
8    (a) On any property operated under a Migratory Waterfowl
9Hunting Area Permit (Commercial) where the principal use is to
10take wild geese, it is the permit holder's duty to ensure all
11of the following but only during Canada goose season:
12        (1) That no person takes wild geese except from a blind
13    or pit.
14        (2) That no person establishes or uses any blind or pit
15    for the taking of wild geese within 200 yards of any other
16    blind or pit or within 100 yards of the boundary of the
17    property on which the blind or pit is located.
18        (3) That no person establishes or uses any blind or pit
19    for the taking of wild geese within 200 yards of any
20    wildlife refuge boundary or public road right-of-way
21    adjacent to any State or Federal waterfowl refuge. If a
22    blind or pit has been established for more than 10 years
23    and it was believed by both the landowner and the

 

 

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1    Department during that time to meet the minimum yardage
2    requirements of this paragraph (3), then the blind or pit
3    may remain in place even though a survey or other evidence
4    may indicate that the minimum yardage requirements are not
5    met.
6    (b) On any property where the principal use is to take wild
7geese in Alexander, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Union and
8Williamson Counties, other than property operated under a
9Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Area Permit (Commercial), all of
10the following restrictions shall be observed but only during
11Canada goose season:
12        (1) No person may take wild geese except from a blind
13    or pit and it shall be illegal to take or attempt to take
14    geese from the base of standing timber except when
15    immediately adjacent to an open field.
16        (2) No person may establish or use a blind or pit
17    within 100 yards of the boundary of the property on which
18    the blind or pit is located unless the minimum yardage
19    requirement cannot be met, in which case one pit or blind
20    may be permitted only if there is a minimum of 200 yards
21    between that pit or blind and the nearest pit or blind.
22        (3) No person may establish or use a blind or pit for
23    the taking of wild geese within 200 yards of any wildlife
24    refuge boundary or public road right-of-way adjacent to any
25    State or Federal waterfowl refuge. If a blind or pit has
26    been established for more than 10 years and it was believed

 

 

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1    by both the landowner and the Department during that time
2    to meet the minimum yardage requirements of this paragraph
3    (3), then the blind or pit may remain in place even though
4    a survey or other evidence may indicate that the minimum
5    yardage requirements are not met.
6        (4) No more than the number of persons allowed by
7    administrative rule may occupy or attempt to take wild
8    geese from any blind or pit at the same time.
9    (c) On any property operated under a Migratory Waterfowl
10Hunting Area Permit (Commercial) where the principal use is to
11take wild ducks, it is the permit holder's duty to ensure that
12no person establishes or uses any blind or pit for the taking
13of wild ducks within 100 yards of the boundary of the property
14on which the blind or pit is located unless there is consent
15from the landowner of the adjacent property.
16    This subsection (c) shall only apply to property located in
17Alexander County, Union County, Williamson County, or Jackson
18County.
19(Source: P.A. 90-435, eff. 1-1-98; 91-582, eff. 8-14-99.)