Public Act 097-0132
 
HB3019 EnrolledLRB097 06059 CEL 46132 b

    AN ACT concerning wildlife.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Wildlife Code is amended by changing Section
3.8 as follows:
 
    (520 ILCS 5/3.8)  (from Ch. 61, par. 3.8)
    Sec. 3.8. Migratory waterfowl areas; geese.
    (a) On any property operated under a Migratory Waterfowl
Hunting Area Permit (Commercial) where the principal use is to
take wild geese, it is the permit holder's duty to ensure all
of the following but only during Canada goose season:
        (1) That no person takes wild geese except from a blind
    or pit.
        (2) That no person establishes or uses any blind or pit
    for the taking of wild geese within 200 yards of any other
    blind or pit or within 100 yards of the boundary of the
    property on which the blind or pit is located.
        (3) That no person establishes or uses any blind or pit
    for the taking of wild geese within 200 yards of any
    wildlife refuge boundary or public road right-of-way
    adjacent to any State or Federal waterfowl refuge. If a
    blind or pit has been established for more than 10 years
    and it was believed by both the landowner and the
    Department during that time to meet the minimum yardage
    requirements of this paragraph (3), then the blind or pit
    may remain in place even though a survey or other evidence
    may indicate that the minimum yardage requirements are not
    met.
    (b) On any property where the principal use is to take wild
geese in Alexander, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Union and
Williamson Counties, other than property operated under a
Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Area Permit (Commercial), all of
the following restrictions shall be observed but only during
Canada goose season:
        (1) No person may take wild geese except from a blind
    or pit and it shall be illegal to take or attempt to take
    geese from the base of standing timber except when
    immediately adjacent to an open field.
        (2) No person may establish or use a blind or pit
    within 100 yards of the boundary of the property on which
    the blind or pit is located unless the minimum yardage
    requirement cannot be met, in which case one pit or blind
    may be permitted only if there is a minimum of 200 yards
    between that pit or blind and the nearest pit or blind.
        (3) No person may establish or use a blind or pit for
    the taking of wild geese within 200 yards of any wildlife
    refuge boundary or public road right-of-way adjacent to any
    State or Federal waterfowl refuge. If a blind or pit has
    been established for more than 10 years and it was believed
    by both the landowner and the Department during that time
    to meet the minimum yardage requirements of this paragraph
    (3), then the blind or pit may remain in place even though
    a survey or other evidence may indicate that the minimum
    yardage requirements are not met.
        (4) No more than the number of persons allowed by
    administrative rule may occupy or attempt to take wild
    geese from any blind or pit at the same time.
    (c) On any property operated under a Migratory Waterfowl
Hunting Area Permit (Commercial) where the principal use is to
take wild ducks, it is the permit holder's duty to ensure that
no person establishes or uses any blind or pit for the taking
of wild ducks within 100 yards of the boundary of the property
on which the blind or pit is located unless there is consent
from the landowner of the adjacent property.
    This subsection (c) shall only apply to property located in
Alexander County, Union County, Williamson County, or Jackson
County.
(Source: P.A. 90-435, eff. 1-1-98; 91-582, eff. 8-14-99.)