093_HB2918
LRB093 03699 JAM 03729 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
5 Section 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
8 deer except (i) with a shotgun or muzzleloading rifle or (ii)
9 as provided by administrative rule, with a bow and arrow, or
10 crossbow device for handicapped persons as defined in Section
11 2.33, during the open season of not more than 14 days which
12 will be set annually by the Director between the dates of
13 November 1st and December 31st, both inclusive.
14 It shall be unlawful for any person to take deer except
15 with a bow and arrow, or crossbow device for handicapped
16 persons (as defined in Section 2.33), during the open season
17 for bow and arrow set annually by the Director between the
18 dates of September 1st and January 31st, both inclusive.
19 It shall be unlawful for any person to take deer except
20 with (i) a muzzleloading rifle, or (ii) bow and arrow, or
21 crossbow device for handicapped persons as defined in Section
22 2.33, during the open season for muzzleloading rifles set
23 annually by the Director.
24 The Director shall cause an administrative rule setting
25 forth the prescribed rules and regulations, including bag and
26 possession limits and those counties of the State where open
27 seasons are established, to be published in accordance with
28 Sections 1.3 and 1.13 of this Act.
29 The Department may establish separate harvest periods for
30 the purpose of managing or eradicating disease that has been
31 found in the deer herd. This season shall be restricted to
-2- LRB093 03699 JAM 03729 b
1 gun or bow and arrow hunting only. The Department shall
2 publicly announce, via statewide news release, the season
3 dates and shooting hours, the counties and sites open to
4 hunting, permit requirements, application dates, hunting
5 rules, legal weapons, and reporting requirements.
6 The Department is authorized to establish a separate
7 harvest period at specific sites within the State for the
8 purpose of harvesting surplus deer that cannot be taken
9 during the regular season provided for the taking of deer.
10 This season shall be restricted to gun or bow and arrow
11 hunting only and shall be established during the period of
12 September 1st to February 15th, both inclusive. The
13 Department shall publish suitable prescribed rules and
14 regulations established by administrative rule pertaining to
15 management restrictions applicable to this special harvest
16 program.
17 (Source: P.A. 86-1188; 87-126; 87-234; 87-895; 87-1015;
18 87-1243; 87-1268.)
19 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
20 becoming law.