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

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    AN ACT concerning wildlife.

 
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    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
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represented in the General Assembly:


 
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    Section 5. The Wildlife Code is amended  by changing Section 
5
2.25 as follows:
 



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    (520 ILCS 5/2.25)  (from Ch. 61, par. 2.25)



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    Sec. 2.25. It shall be unlawful for any person to take deer 
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except (i) with
a shotgun, handgun, or muzzleloading rifle or 
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(ii) as provided by
administrative rule,
with a bow and arrow, 
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or crossbow device for handicapped persons as defined
in 
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Section 2.33, during the open season of not more than 14 days 
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which will
be set annually by the Director between the dates of

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November 1st and December 31st, both inclusive.
For the 
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purposes of this Section, legal handguns include any centerfire

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handguns of .30
caliber or larger with a minimum barrel length 
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of 4 inches.  The only legal
ammunition
for a centerfire handgun 
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is a cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a
capability of at 
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least
500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle.  Full metal 
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jacket bullets may not be
used to
harvest deer.

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    The Department shall make administrative rules concerning 
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management
restrictions applicable to the firearm and bow and 
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arrow season.

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    It shall be unlawful for any person to take deer except 
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with a bow and
arrow, or crossbow device for handicapped 
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persons (as defined in Section
2.33), during the open season 
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for bow and arrow set annually by the Director
between the 
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dates of September 1st and January 31st, both inclusive.

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    It shall be unlawful for any person to take deer except 
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with (i) a
muzzleloading rifle, or (ii) bow and arrow, or 
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crossbow device for
handicapped persons as defined in Section 
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2.33, during the open season for
muzzleloading rifles set 
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annually by the Director. A person may use black powder 
 


 






HB0479
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cartridges during the open season for muzzleloading rifles.


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    The Director shall cause an administrative rule setting 
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forth the
prescribed rules and regulations, including bag and 
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possession limits and
those counties of the State where open 
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seasons are established, to be
published in accordance with 
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Sections 1.3 and 1.13 of this Act.

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    The Department may establish separate harvest periods for 
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the purpose of
managing or eradicating disease that has been 
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found in the deer herd. This
season shall be restricted to gun 
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or bow and arrow hunting only. The Department
shall publicly 
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announce, via statewide news release, the season dates and

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shooting hours, the counties and sites open to hunting, permit 
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requirements,
application dates, hunting rules, legal weapons, 
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and reporting requirements.

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    The Department is authorized to establish a separate 
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harvest period at
specific sites within the State for the 
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purpose of harvesting
surplus deer that cannot be taken during 
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the regular season provided for
the taking of deer. This season 
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shall be restricted to gun or bow and
arrow hunting only and 
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shall be established during the period of September 1st
to 
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February 15th, both inclusive. The Department shall publish 
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suitable
prescribed rules and regulations established by 
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administrative rule pertaining
to management restrictions 
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applicable to this special harvest program.

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(Source: P.A. 93-37, eff. 6-25-03; 93-554, eff. 8-20-03; 
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revised 9-15-03.)