HB0297 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 04287 CMK 24328 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB0297

Introduced 1/19/2007, by Rep. David Reis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the operation of a hound running areas permit program. Provides that a coyote may be held or possessed by a person who holds a hound running area permit. Provides that hound running areas approved by the Department are exempt from certain limitations in the Game Protective Article of the Wildlife Code. Limits hound running areas to a fenced area that has at least 40 acres, that is used by dogs and people to chase foxes or coyotes without the intent to kill or capture the foxes or coyotes, and that has a dog-proof escape area for the chased animals. Requires the applicant for a hound running area permit to hold or apply for a fur-bearing mammal breeder permit. Authorizes the Department to promulgate rules, make inspections, and administer this program. Provides that a person that violates the requirements for a hound running area permit is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. Amends the Illinois Dangerous Animals Act to provide that a hound running area may be used to keep and maintain coyotes in an escape-proof enclosure. Makes other changes.

CORRECTIONAL BUDGET AND IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

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 Sections 2.30, 2.33, 2.36, 3.5, 3.25, 3.33, and 3.35 and by adding Sections 1.2j-5 and 3.27-a as follows:

(520 ILCS 5/1.2j-5 new)

Sec. 1.2j-5. "Hound running" means the chasing of one or more foxes or one or more coyotes by one or more dogs and one or more persons engaged in hunt-like activities.

(520 ILCS 5/2.30) (from Ch. 61, par. 2.30)

Sec. 2.30. It shall be unlawful for any person to trap or to hunt with gun, dog, dog and gun, or bow and arrow, gray fox, red fox, raccoon, weasel, mink, muskrat, badger, and opossum except during the open season which will be set annually by the Director between 12:01 a.m., November 1 to 12:00 midnight, February 15, both inclusive, and except for activities approved by the Department for hound running areas.

It is unlawful for any person to take bobcat or river otter in this State at any time.

It is unlawful to pursue any fur-bearing mammal with a dog or dogs between the hours of sunset and sunrise during the 10 day period preceding the opening date of the raccoon hunting season and the 10 day period following the closing date of the raccoon hunting season except that the Department may issue field trial permits in accordance with Section 2.34 of this Act. A non-resident from a state with more restrictive fur-bearer pursuit regulations for any particular species than provided for that species in this Act may not pursue that species in Illinois except during the period of time that Illinois residents are allowed to pursue that species in the non-resident's state of residence. Fenced fox hound training enclosures and hound running areas approved by the Department shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section.

It shall be unlawful to take beaver, weasel, mink or muskrat except during the open season set annually by the Director, and then, only with traps.

It shall be unlawful for any person to trap beaver with traps except during the open season which will be set annually by the Director between 12:01 a.m., November 1st and 12:00 midnight, March 31.

Coyote may be taken by trapping methods only during the period from September 1 to March 1, both inclusive, and by hunting methods at any time.

Striped skunk may be taken by trapping methods only during the period from September 1 to March 1, both inclusive, and by hunting methods at any time.

For the purpose of taking fur-bearing mammals, the State may be divided into management zones by administrative rule.

The provisions of this Section are subject to modification by administrative rule.

(Source: P.A. 89-341, eff. 8-17-95.)

(520 ILCS 5/2.33) (from Ch. 61, par. 2.33)

Sec. 2.33. Prohibitions.

(a) It is unlawful to carry or possess any gun in any State refuge unless otherwise permitted by administrative rule.

(b) It is unlawful to use or possess any snare or snare-like device, deadfall, net, or pit trap to take any species, except that snares not powered by springs or other mechanical devices may be used to trap fur-bearing mammals, in water sets only, if at least one-half of the snare noose is located underwater at all times.

(c) It is unlawful for any person at any time to take a wild mammal protected by this Act from its den by means of any mechanical device, spade, or digging device or to use smoke or other gases to dislodge or remove such mammal except as provided in Section 2.37.

(d) It is unlawful to use a ferret or any other small mammal which is used in the same or similar manner for which ferrets are used for the purpose of frightening or driving any mammals from their dens or hiding places.

(e) (Blank).

(f) It is unlawful to use spears, gigs, hooks or any like device to take any species protected by this Act.

(g) It is unlawful to use poisons, chemicals or explosives for the purpose of taking any species protected by this Act.

(h) It is unlawful to hunt adjacent to or near any peat, grass, brush or other inflammable substance when it is burning.

(i) It is unlawful to take, pursue or intentionally harass or disturb in any manner any wild birds or mammals by use or aid of any vehicle or conveyance, except as permitted by the Code of Federal Regulations for the taking of waterfowl. It is also unlawful to use the lights of any vehicle or conveyance or any light from or any light connected to the vehicle or conveyance in any area where wildlife may be found except in accordance with Section 2.37 of this Act; however, nothing in this Section shall prohibit the normal use of headlamps for the purpose of driving upon a roadway. Striped skunk, opossum, red fox, gray fox, raccoon and coyote may be taken during the open season by use of a small light which is worn on the body or hand-held by a person on foot and not in any vehicle.

(j) It is unlawful to use any shotgun larger than 10 gauge while taking or attempting to take any of the species protected by this Act.

(k) It is unlawful to use or possess in the field any shotgun shell loaded with a shot size larger than lead BB or steel T (.20 diameter) when taking or attempting to take any species of wild game mammals (excluding white-tailed deer), wild game birds, migratory waterfowl or migratory game birds protected by this Act, except white-tailed deer as provided for in Section 2.26 and other species as provided for by subsection (l) or administrative rule.

(l) It is unlawful to take any species of wild game, except white-tailed deer, with a shotgun loaded with slugs unless otherwise provided for by administrative rule.

(m) It is unlawful to use any shotgun capable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine or chamber combined, except on game breeding and hunting preserve areas licensed under Section 3.27 and except as permitted by the Code of Federal Regulations for the taking of waterfowl. If the shotgun is capable of holding more than 3 shells, it shall, while being used on an area other than a game breeding and shooting preserve area licensed pursuant to Section 3.27, be fitted with a one piece plug that is irremovable without dismantling the shotgun or otherwise altered to render it incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber, combined.

(n) It is unlawful for any person, except persons who possess a permit to hunt from a vehicle as provided in this Section and persons otherwise permitted by law, to have or carry any gun in or on any vehicle, conveyance or aircraft, unless such gun is unloaded and enclosed in a case, except that at field trials authorized by Section 2.34 of this Act, unloaded guns or guns loaded with blank cartridges only, may be carried on horseback while not contained in a case, or to have or carry any bow or arrow device in or on any vehicle unless such bow or arrow device is unstrung or enclosed in a case, or otherwise made inoperable.

(o) It is unlawful to use any crossbow for the purpose of taking any wild birds or mammals, except as provided for in Section 2.33.

(p) It is unlawful to take game birds, migratory game birds or migratory waterfowl with a rifle, pistol, revolver or airgun.

(q) It is unlawful to fire a rifle, pistol, revolver or airgun on, over or into any waters of this State, including frozen waters.

(r) It is unlawful to discharge any gun or bow and arrow device along, upon, across, or from any public right-of-way or highway in this State.

(s) It is unlawful to use a silencer or other device to muffle or mute the sound of the explosion or report resulting from the firing of any gun.

(t) It is unlawful for any person to trap or hunt, or intentionally or wantonly allow a dog to hunt, within or upon the land of another, or upon waters flowing over or standing on the land of another, without first obtaining permission from the owner or tenant. It shall be prima facie evidence that a person does not have permission of the owner or tenant if the person is unable to demonstrate to the law enforcement officer in the field that permission had been obtained. This provision may only be rebutted by testimony of the owner or tenant that permission had been given. Before enforcing this Section the law enforcement officer must have received notice from the owner or tenant of a violation of this Section. Statements made to the law enforcement officer regarding this notice shall not be rendered inadmissible by the hearsay rule when offered for the purpose of showing the required notice.

(u) It is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm for the purpose of taking any of the species protected by this Act, or hunt with gun or dog, or intentionally or wantonly allow a dog to hunt, within 300 yards of an inhabited dwelling without first obtaining permission from the owner or tenant, except that while trapping, hunting with bow and arrow, hunting with dog and shotgun using shot shells only, or hunting with shotgun using shot shells only, or on licensed game breeding and hunting preserve areas, as defined in Section 3.27, on property operated under a Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Area Permit, on federally owned and managed lands and on Department owned, managed, leased or controlled lands, a 100 yard restriction shall apply.

(v) It is unlawful for any person to remove fur-bearing mammals from, or to move or disturb in any manner, the traps owned by another person without written authorization of the owner to do so.

(w) It is unlawful for any owner of a dog to knowingly or wantonly allow his or her dog to pursue, harass or kill deer, except that nothing in this Section shall prohibit the tracking of wounded deer with a dog in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.26 of this Code.

(x) It is unlawful for any person to wantonly or carelessly injure or destroy, in any manner whatsoever, any real or personal property on the land of another while engaged in hunting or trapping thereon.

(y) It is unlawful to hunt wild game protected by this Act between one half hour after sunset and one half hour before sunrise, except that hunting hours between one half hour after sunset and one half hour before sunrise may be established by administrative rule for fur-bearing mammals.

(z) It is unlawful to take any game bird (excluding wild turkeys and crippled pheasants not capable of normal flight and otherwise irretrievable) protected by this Act when not flying. Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a person from carrying an uncased, unloaded shotgun in a boat, while in pursuit of a crippled migratory waterfowl that is incapable of normal flight, for the purpose of attempting to reduce the migratory waterfowl to possession, provided that the attempt is made immediately upon downing the migratory waterfowl and is done within 400 yards of the blind from which the migratory waterfowl was downed. This exception shall apply only to migratory game birds that are not capable of normal flight. Migratory waterfowl that are crippled may be taken only with a shotgun as regulated by subsection (j) of this Section using shotgun shells as regulated in subsection (k) of this Section.

(aa) It is unlawful to use or possess any device that may be used for tree climbing or cutting, while hunting fur-bearing mammals.

(bb) It is unlawful for any person, except licensed game breeders, pursuant to Section 2.29 to import, carry into, or possess alive in this State any species of wildlife taken outside of this State, without obtaining permission to do so from the Director.

(cc) It is unlawful for any person to have in his or her possession any freshly killed species protected by this Act during the season closed for taking.

(dd) It is unlawful to take any species protected by this Act and retain it alive except as provided by administrative rule.

(ee) It is unlawful to possess any rifle while in the field during gun deer season except as provided in Section 2.26 and administrative rules.

(ff) It is unlawful for any person to take any species protected by this Act, except migratory waterfowl, during the gun deer hunting season in those counties open to gun deer hunting, unless he or she wears, when in the field, a cap and upper outer garment of a solid blaze orange color, with such articles of clothing displaying a minimum of 400 square inches of blaze orange material.

(gg) It is unlawful during the upland game season for any person to take upland game with a firearm unless he or she wears, while in the field, a cap of solid blaze orange color. For purposes of this Act, upland game is defined as Bobwhite Quail, Hungarian Partridge, Ring-necked Pheasant, Eastern Cottontail and Swamp Rabbit.

(hh) It shall be unlawful to kill or cripple any species protected by this Act for which there is a daily bag limit without making a reasonable effort to retrieve such species and include such in the daily bag limit.

(ii) This Section shall apply only to those species protected by this Act taken within the State. Any species or any parts thereof, legally taken in and transported from other states or countries, may be possessed within the State, except as provided in this Section and Sections 2.35, 2.36 and 3.21.

(jj) Nothing contained in this Section shall prohibit the use of bow and arrow, or prevent the Director from issuing permits to use a crossbow to handicapped persons as provided by administrative rule. As used herein, "handicapped persons" means those persons who have a permanent physical impairment due to injury or disease, congenital or acquired, which renders them so severely disabled as to be unable to use a conventional bow and arrow device. Permits will be issued only after the receipt of a physician's statement confirming the applicant is handicapped as defined above.

(kk) Nothing contained in this Section shall prohibit the Director from issuing permits to paraplegics or to other disabled persons who meet the requirements set forth in administrative rule to shoot or hunt from a vehicle as provided by that rule, provided that such is otherwise in accord with this Act.

(ll) Nothing contained in this Act shall prohibit the taking of aquatic life protected by the Fish and Aquatic Life Code or birds and mammals protected by this Act, except deer and fur-bearing mammals, from a boat not camouflaged or disguised to alter its identity or to further provide a place of concealment and not propelled by sail or mechanical power. However, only shotguns not larger than 10 gauge nor smaller than .410 bore loaded with not more than 3 shells of a shot size no larger than lead BB or steel T (.20 diameter) may be used to take species protected by this Act.

(mm) Nothing contained in this Act shall prohibit the use of a shotgun, not larger than 10 gauge nor smaller than a 20 gauge, with a rifled barrel.

(Source: P.A. 93-807, eff. 7-24-04; 94-764, eff. 1-1-07.)

(520 ILCS 5/2.36) (from Ch. 61, par. 2.36)

Sec. 2.36. It shall be unlawful to buy, sell or barter, or offer to buy, sell or barter, and for a commercial institution, other than a regularly operated refrigerated storage establishment, to have in its possession any of the wild birds, or any part thereof (and their eggs), or wild mammals or any parts thereof, protected by this Act unless done as hereinafter provided:

Game birds or any parts thereof (and their eggs), may be held, possessed, raised and sold, or otherwise dealt with, as provided in Section 3.23 of this Act or when legally produced under similar special permit in another state or country and legally transported into the State of Illinois; provided that such imported game birds or any parts thereof, shall be marked with permanent irremovable tags, or similar devices, to establish and retain their origin and identity;

Rabbits may be legally taken and possessed as provided in Sections 3.23 and 3.24 of this Act;

Deer, or any parts thereof, may be held, possessed, sold or otherwise dealt with as provided in this Section and Sections 3.23 and 3.24 of this Act;

Fur-bearing mammals, or any parts thereof, may be held, possessed, sold or otherwise dealt with as provided in Sections 3.16, and 3.24, and 3.27-a of this Act or when legally taken and possessed in Illinois or legally taken and possessed in and transported from other states or countries;

The inedible parts of game mammals may be held, possessed, sold or otherwise dealt with when legally taken, in Illinois or legally taken and possessed in and transported from other states or countries.

Failure to establish proof of the legality of possession in another state or country and importation into the State of Illinois, shall be prima facie evidence that such game birds or any parts thereof, and their eggs, game mammals and fur-bearing mammals, or any parts thereof, were taken within the State of Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 82-434.)

(520 ILCS 5/3.5) (from Ch. 61, par. 3.5)

Sec. 3.5. Penalties; probation.

(a) Any person who violates any of the provisions of Section 2.36a, including administrative rules, shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony, except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this Section and subsection (a) of Section 2.36a.

(b) Whenever any person who has not previously been convicted of, or placed on probation or court supervision for, any offense under Section 1.22, 2.36, or 2.36a or subsection (i) or (cc) of Section 2.33, the court may, without entering a judgment and with the person's consent, sentence the person to probation for a violation of Section 2.36a.

(1) When a person is placed on probation, the court shall enter an order specifying a period of probation of 24 months and shall defer further proceedings in the case until the conclusion of the period or until the filing of a petition alleging violation of a term or condition of probation.

(2) The conditions of probation shall be that the person:

(A) Not violate any criminal statute of any jurisdiction.

(B) Perform no less than 30 hours of community service, provided community service is available in the jurisdiction and is funded and approved by the county board.

(3) The court may, in addition to other conditions:

(A) Require that the person make a report to and appear in person before or participate with the court or courts, person, or social service agency as directed by the court in the order of probation.

(B) Require that the person pay a fine and costs.

(C) Require that the person refrain from possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon.

(D) Prohibit the person from associating with any person who is actively engaged in any of the activities regulated by the permits issued or privileges granted by the Department of Natural Resources.

(4) Upon violation of a term or condition of probation, the court may enter a judgment on its original finding of guilt and proceed as otherwise provided.

(5) Upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions of probation, the court shall discharge the person and dismiss the proceedings against the person.

(6) A disposition of probation is considered to be a conviction for the purposes of imposing the conditions of probation, for appeal, and for administrative revocation and suspension of licenses and privileges; however, discharge and dismissal under this Section is not a conviction for purposes of disqualification or disabilities imposed by law upon conviction of a crime.

(7) Discharge and dismissal under this Section may occur only once with respect to any person.

(8) If a person is convicted of an offense under this Act within 5 years subsequent to a discharge and dismissal under this Section, the discharge and dismissal under this Section shall be admissible in the sentencing proceeding for that conviction as a factor in aggravation.

(9) The Circuit Clerk shall notify the Department of State Police of all persons convicted of or placed under probation for violations of Section 2.36a.

(c) Any person who violates any of the provisions of Sections 2.9, 2.11, 2.16, 2.18, 2.24, 2.25, 2.26, 2.29, 2.30, 2.31, 2.32, 2.33 (except subsections (g), (i), (o), (p), (y), and (cc)), 2.33-1, 2.33a, 3.3, 3.4, 3.11 - 3.16, 3.19 - 3.21 (except subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (f.5), (g), (h), and (i)), and 3.24 - 3.26, and 3.27-a (except subsection (f)), including administrative rules, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of Sections 1.22, 2.4, 2.36 and 2.38, including administrative rules, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Any second or subsequent violations of Sections 2.4 and 2.36 shall be a Class 4 felony.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act, including administrative rules, during such period when his license, privileges, or permit is revoked or denied by virtue of Section 3.36, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Any person who violates subsection (g), (i), (o), (p), (y), or (cc) of Section 2.33 shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and subject to a fine of no less than $500 and no more than $5,000 in addition to other statutory penalties.

Any person who violates any other of the provisions of this Act including administrative rules, unless otherwise stated, shall be guilty of a petty offense. Offenses committed by minors under the direct control or with the consent of a parent or guardian may subject the parent or guardian to the penalties prescribed in this Section.

In addition to any fines imposed pursuant to the provisions of this Section or as otherwise provided in this Act, any person found guilty of unlawfully taking or possessing any species protected by this Act, shall be assessed a civil penalty for such species in accordance with the values prescribed in Section 2.36a of this Act. This civil penalty shall be imposed by the Circuit Court for the county within which the offense was committed at the time of the conviction. All penalties provided for in this Section shall be remitted to the Department in accordance with the same provisions provided for in Section 1.18 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 94-222, eff. 7-14-05.)

(520 ILCS 5/3.25) (from Ch. 61, par. 3.25)

Sec. 3.25. Any individual who, within the State of Illinois, holds, possesses or engages in the breeding or raising of live fur-bearing mammals, protected by this Act, except as provided in Sections 1.6 or 1.7, shall be a fur-bearing mammal breeder in the meaning of this Act. Before any individual shall hold, possess or engage in the breeding or raising of live fur-bearing mammals, he shall first procure a fur-bearing mammal breeder permit. Fur-bearing mammal breeder permits shall be issued by the Department. The annual fee for each fur-bearing mammal breeder permit shall be $25. All fur-bearing mammal breeder permits shall expire on March 31 of each year.

Holders of fur-bearing mammal breeder permits may hold, possess, engage in the breeding or raising, sell, or otherwise dispose of live fur-bearing mammals or their green hides, possessed thereunder, at any time of the year.

Fur-bearing mammal breeders shall keep a record for 2 years from the date of the acquisition, sale or other disposition of each live fur-bearing mammal or its green hide so raised or propagated, showing the date of such transaction, the name and address of the individual receiving or buying such live fur-bearing mammal or its green hide, and when requested to do so, shall furnish such individual with a certificate of purchase showing the number and kinds of live fur-bearing mammals or green hides so disposed of, the date of the transaction, the name and permit number of the breeder, and the name of the individual receiving, collecting, or buying such live fur-bearing mammals or green hides, and such other information as the Department may require. Such records and certificates of purchase shall be immediately presented to officers or authorized employees of the Department, any sheriff, deputy sheriff, or other peace officer when request is made for same. Failure to produce such records or certificates of purchase shall be prima facie evidence that such live fur-bearing mammals or green hides are contraband with the State of Illinois. The holder of a fur-bearing mammal breeder permit may exhibit fur-bearing mammals commercially.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to give any such permittee authority to take fur-bearing mammals in their wild state contrary to other provisions of this Act, or to remove such permittee from responsibility for the observance of any Federal Laws, rules or regulations which may apply to such fur-bearing mammals.

Holders of fur-bearing mammal breeder permits may import fur-bearing mammals into the State of Illinois but may release the same only after health and disease prevention requirements set forth by the Director and other State agencies have been met and permission of the Director has been granted.

The breeding, raising and producing in captivity, and the marketing, by the producer, of mink (Mustela vison), red fox (Vulpes vulpes) or arctic fox (Alopex lagopus), as live animals, or as animal pelts or carcasses shall be deemed an agricultural pursuit, and all such animals so raised in captivity shall be deemed domestic animals, subject to all the laws of the State with reference to possession and ownership as are applicable at any time to domestic animals. All individuals engaged in the foregoing activities are fur farmers and engaged in farming for all statutory purposes. Such individuals are exempt from the fur-bearing mammal breeder permit requirements set forth in this Section if: (1) they are defined as farmers for Federal income tax purposes, and (2) at least 20 percent of their gross farm income as reported on Federal tax form Schedule F (Form 1040) for the previous year is generated from the sale of mink, red fox or arctic fox as live animals, animal pelts or carcasses.

No fur-bearing mammal breeder permits will be issued to hold, possess, or engage in the breeding and raising of striped skunks acquired after July 1, 1975, or coyotes acquired after July 1, 1978, except for a coyote that is held or possessed by a person who holds a hound running area permit under Section 3.27-a of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 86-920.)

(520 ILCS 5/3.27-a new)

Sec. 3.27-a. Hound running area permits; requirements.

(a) Any person owning, holding, or controlling by lease any contiguous tract of land having an area of not less than 40 acres who desires to establish a hound running area, to propagate and preserve foxes, coyotes, or both, and to run hounds in a hunt-like activity that is not designed to capture or kill any fox or coyote, shall apply to the Department for a hound running area permit under this Section. The application shall be made under oath of the applicant or under oath of one of its principal officers if the applicant is not an individual. The application shall be accompanied by an annual permit fee established by the Department by rule, which annual fee shall not exceed $250. All hound running area permits expire on April 30 of each year.

Every applicant under this Section must hold a fur-bearing mammal breeder permit or apply for a fur-bearing mammal breeder permit at the time that the applicant submits the application for a hound running area permit.

Upon receipt of an application, the Department is authorized to inspect the area proposed to be a hound running area, as described in the application, the general premises, the facilities where the foxes and coyotes are to be maintained or propagated, and the habitat for foxes and coyotes. As part of the application and inspection process, the Department shall assess the ability of the applicant to operate a property of this character. If the Department finds that the area meets the requirements of all applicable laws and rules, that the foxes and coyotes are or will be reasonably healthy and disease free, and that the issuing of the permit will otherwise be in the public interest, the Department shall approve the application and issue the permit for the operation of the property described in the application with the rights and subject to the limitations prescribed in this Section.

The holder of a hound running area permit may maintain foxes and coyotes in temporary confinement facilities on the hound running area or at another location inspected by the Department and specified on the permit. Foxes and coyotes held by a permit holder may be released only into a hound running area. No fox or coyote held by a permit holder may be released to the wild, exported, or given to a person that does not hold a hound running area permit or a fur-bearing mammal breeder permit, except with written authorization of the Director.

(b) No hound running area shall be operated in a manner inconsistent with the following:

(1) Foxes and coyotes in a hound running area may be chased with dogs, but not in a manner or with the intent to capture or kill. The Department shall promulgate rules that describe appropriate and prohibited activities for a hound running area.

(2) Every hound running area must have a minimum of one dog-proof escape area for each 20 acres or remaining fraction thereof of hound running area. A dog-proof escape area must be available for use by a fox or a coyote any time dogs are present on the area. "Dog-proof escape area" means a culvert, brush pile, fenced refuge, or other structure suitable for use by a fox or coyote to safely escape from dogs present on the hound running area. Dog-proof escape areas shall not be located immediately adjacent to each other.

(3) Every hound running area shall promptly post on the hound running area, at intervals of not more than 500 feet, signs prescribed by the Department by rule. The boundaries of the land on which the hound running area is located shall also be clearly defined by fencing, natural or artificial boundaries, or barriers and signs pursuant to standards prescribed by the Department by rule. The fencing or barriers on the hound running area shall be designed to prohibit any fox or coyote in the hound running area from escaping the area. The fencing or barriers on the area shall also be designed to prevent any other foxes or coyotes from entering the area. The area, signage, fencing, barriers, boundary marking, dog-proof escape areas, and facilities to maintain the foxes and coyotes in the area and prevent other foxes and coyotes from entering the area are subject to inspection by an officer, employee, or agent of the Department at any reasonable time.

(4) The holder of a hound running area permit may maintain foxes and coyotes in temporary confinement facilities on the hound running area or at another location inspected by the Department and specified on the permit. Foxes and coyotes held by a permit holder may only be released into a hound running area. No fox or coyote held by a permit holder may be released to the wild, exported, or given to a person that does not hold a hound running area permit or a fur-bearing mammal breeder permit, except with written authorization of the Director. Prior to being released into a hound running area, all newly acquired foxes and coyotes shall be provided a minimum of 7 days to acclimate to the hound running area in which the animal will be chased. Any fox or coyote held under a permit is subject to inspection by an agent of the Department and this inspection may include removal of reasonable samples from the fox or coyote for examination.

(5) Any person, as a permit holder or an employee of a permit holder, who releases dogs on a hound running area shall have in his or her possession a valid Illinois hunting license, except that Illinois residents 15 years of age or under and 65 years of age or over are exempt from this requirement.

(6) The hound running area permit holder shall keep accurate permanent records on forms prescribed by the Department. The permanent record shall include, as to each supplier of foxes or coyotes, (i) the supplier's full name, address, and telephone number, (ii) the number, sex, and ear tag designation of each animal purchased, donated, sold, traded, or given to the permit holder by that supplier, and (iii) the date of the event or transaction. The permanent record shall also include the identification of all foxes and coyotes, while under the control of the permit holder on the area or elsewhere, by ear tag designation and sex, along with information for each fox or coyote that gave birth, was born, died, or was disposed of in some other manner or that was sold, traded, donated, or conveyed in some other manner, and the dates on which those events occurred.

(7) Every permit holder shall attach individually marked ear tags provided by the Department to each fox or coyote maintained by the permit holder. The permit holder shall pay a fee for each ear tag as established by the Department by rule, but the fee shall not exceed one dollar per tag. The permit holder shall record the ear tag number for each animal maintained on the area or elsewhere or released into the area.

(8) Any person using the hound running area as part of a hound running activity shall at all times respect the rights of persons who own the area and those persons who own the land adjacent to the area, and shall not injure or destroy any livestock or property of these land owners. Trees or shrubs shall not be mutilated or cut, nor shall berries, fruits, or nuts be picked within the hound running area, except by permission of the permit holder. Springs and streams shall not be contaminated or polluted in any manner by persons using the hound running area; however, the natural use of springs and streams by dogs using the area shall not constitute contamination or pollution.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, it is unlawful for any person, except by special permission of a duly authorized representative of the Department, to enter or go upon a hound running area at any time of the year with a firearm, bow and arrow, or trap.

(d) A hound running area permit is not transferable from one person to another. When a permit holder sells or leases the property that comprises or includes a hound running area and the purchaser or lessee intends to continue to use the hound running area pursuant to this Section, the purchaser or lessee must apply for a permit as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

(e) All foxes and coyotes acquired in conjunction with the operation of a hound running area must be from legal sources.

(f) A person breeding or otherwise maintaining a fox or coyote in conjunction with a hound running area must have the fox or coyote inspected and certified to be a coyote, Red fox, or Gray fox and to be disease free by a licensed Illinois veterinarian. Anyone violating this subsection is guilty of a business offense and shall be fined an amount not exceeding $5,000.

(520 ILCS 5/3.33) (from Ch. 61, par. 3.33)

Sec. 3.33. The Department may either refuse to issue or refuse to renew or may suspend or may revoke any game breeding and hunting preserve area license or hound running area permit. if the Department finds that such licensed area or the operator thereof is not complying or does not comply with the provisions of Section 3.35 of this Act, or that such property, or area is operated in violation of other provisions of this Act, or in an unlawful or illegal manner; however, the Department shall not refuse to issue, refuse to renew nor suspend or revoke any license for any of these causes, unless the licensee affected has been given at least 15 days notice, in writing, of the reasons for the action of the Department and an opportunity to appear before the Department or a representative thereof in opposition to the action of the Department. Upon the hearing of any such proceeding, the person designated by the Department to conduct the hearing may administer oaths and the Department may procure, by its subpoena, the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers. The Circuit Court upon application either of the licensee affected, or of the Department, may, on order duly entered, require the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers before the Department or its representative in any such hearing. Upon refusal or neglect to obey its order, the Court may compel obedience by proceedings for contempt of court.

(Source: P.A. 84-150.)

(520 ILCS 5/3.35) (from Ch. 61, par. 3.35)

Sec. 3.35. Any licensee, or any other person, who willfully and intentionally transfers or permits the transfer of the tags issued to the operator of one licensed game breeding and hunting preserve area to the operator of another licensed game breeding and hunting preserve area, or to any other person, or who affixes such tags to game birds not taken from a licensed game breeding and hunting preserve area or to game birds taken from any area other than the area for which such tags were issued, is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

Any hound running area permit holder, or any other person, who intentionally transfers a permit ear tag issued to the permit holder for a hound running area to another permit holder for a hound running area, or to any other person, or who affixes such a tag to a fox or coyote that was not maintained at a hound running area, is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 84-150.)

Section 10. The Illinois Dangerous Animals Act is amended by changing Section 1 as follows:

(720 ILCS 585/1) (from Ch. 8, par. 241)

Sec. 1. No person shall have a right of property in, keep, harbor, care for, act as custodian of or maintain in his possession any dangerous animal except at a properly maintained zoological park, federally licensed exhibit, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital, hound running area, or animal refuge in an escape-proof enclosure.

(Source: P.A. 84-28.)