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.


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CORRECTIONAL BUDGET AND IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

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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 Sections 2.30, 2.33, 2.36, 3.5, 3.25, 3.33, and 3.35 and by
6 adding Sections 1.2j-5 and 3.27-a as follows:
 
7     (520 ILCS 5/1.2j-5 new)
8     Sec. 1.2j-5. "Hound running" means the chasing of one or
9 more foxes or one or more coyotes by one or more dogs and one or
10 more persons engaged in hunt-like activities.
 
11     (520 ILCS 5/2.30)  (from Ch. 61, par. 2.30)
12     Sec. 2.30. It shall be unlawful for any person to trap or
13 to hunt with gun, dog, dog and gun, or bow and arrow, gray fox,
14 red fox, raccoon, weasel, mink, muskrat, badger, and opossum
15 except during the open season which will be set annually by the
16 Director between 12:01 a.m., November 1 to 12:00 midnight,
17 February 15, both inclusive, and except for activities approved
18 by the Department for hound running areas.
19     It is unlawful for any person to take bobcat or river otter
20 in this State at any time.
21     It is unlawful to pursue any fur-bearing mammal with a dog
22 or dogs between the hours of sunset and sunrise during the 10

 

 

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1 day period preceding the opening date of the raccoon hunting
2 season and the 10 day period following the closing date of the
3 raccoon hunting season except that the Department may issue
4 field trial permits in accordance with Section 2.34 of this
5 Act. A non-resident from a state with more restrictive
6 fur-bearer pursuit regulations for any particular species than
7 provided for that species in this Act may not pursue that
8 species in Illinois except during the period of time that
9 Illinois residents are allowed to pursue that species in the
10 non-resident's state of residence. Fenced fox hound training
11 enclosures and hound running areas approved by the Department
12 shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section.
13     It shall be unlawful to take beaver, weasel, mink or
14 muskrat except during the open season set annually by the
15 Director, and then, only with traps.
16     It shall be unlawful for any person to trap beaver with
17 traps except during the open season which will be set annually
18 by the Director between 12:01 a.m., November 1st and 12:00
19 midnight, March 31.
20     Coyote may be taken by trapping methods only during the
21 period from September 1 to March 1, both inclusive, and by
22 hunting methods at any time.
23     Striped skunk may be taken by trapping methods only during
24 the period from September 1 to March 1, both inclusive, and by
25 hunting methods at any time.
26     For the purpose of taking fur-bearing mammals, the State

 

 

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1 may be divided into management zones by administrative rule.
2     The provisions of this Section are subject to modification
3 by administrative rule.
4 (Source: P.A. 89-341, eff. 8-17-95.)
 
5     (520 ILCS 5/2.33)  (from Ch. 61, par. 2.33)
6     Sec. 2.33. Prohibitions.
7     (a) It is unlawful to carry or possess any gun in any State
8 refuge unless otherwise permitted by administrative rule.
9     (b) It is unlawful to use or possess any snare or
10 snare-like device, deadfall, net, or pit trap to take any
11 species, except that snares not powered by springs or other
12 mechanical devices may be used to trap fur-bearing mammals, in
13 water sets only, if at least one-half of the snare noose is
14 located underwater at all times.
15     (c) It is unlawful for any person at any time to take a
16 wild mammal protected by this Act from its den by means of any
17 mechanical device, spade, or digging device or to use smoke or
18 other gases to dislodge or remove such mammal except as
19 provided in Section 2.37.
20     (d) It is unlawful to use a ferret or any other small
21 mammal which is used in the same or similar manner for which
22 ferrets are used for the purpose of frightening or driving any
23 mammals from their dens or hiding places.
24     (e) (Blank).
25     (f) It is unlawful to use spears, gigs, hooks or any like

 

 

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1 device to take any species protected by this Act.
2     (g) It is unlawful to use poisons, chemicals or explosives
3 for the purpose of taking any species protected by this Act.
4     (h) It is unlawful to hunt adjacent to or near any peat,
5 grass, brush or other inflammable substance when it is burning.
6     (i) It is unlawful to take, pursue or intentionally harass
7 or disturb in any manner any wild birds or mammals by use or
8 aid of any vehicle or conveyance, except as permitted by the
9 Code of Federal Regulations for the taking of waterfowl. It is
10 also unlawful to use the lights of any vehicle or conveyance or
11 any light from or any light connected to the vehicle or
12 conveyance in any area where wildlife may be found except in
13 accordance with Section 2.37 of this Act; however, nothing in
14 this Section shall prohibit the normal use of headlamps for the
15 purpose of driving upon a roadway. Striped skunk, opossum, red
16 fox, gray fox, raccoon and coyote may be taken during the open
17 season by use of a small light which is worn on the body or
18 hand-held by a person on foot and not in any vehicle.
19     (j) It is unlawful to use any shotgun larger than 10 gauge
20 while taking or attempting to take any of the species protected
21 by this Act.
22     (k) It is unlawful to use or possess in the field any
23 shotgun shell loaded with a shot size larger than lead BB or
24 steel T (.20 diameter) when taking or attempting to take any
25 species of wild game mammals (excluding white-tailed deer),
26 wild game birds, migratory waterfowl or migratory game birds

 

 

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1 protected by this Act, except white-tailed deer as provided for
2 in Section 2.26 and other species as provided for by subsection
3 (l) or administrative rule.
4     (l) It is unlawful to take any species of wild game, except
5 white-tailed deer, with a shotgun loaded with slugs unless
6 otherwise provided for by administrative rule.
7     (m) It is unlawful to use any shotgun capable of holding
8 more than 3 shells in the magazine or chamber combined, except
9 on game breeding and hunting preserve areas licensed under
10 Section 3.27 and except as permitted by the Code of Federal
11 Regulations for the taking of waterfowl. If the shotgun is
12 capable of holding more than 3 shells, it shall, while being
13 used on an area other than a game breeding and shooting
14 preserve area licensed pursuant to Section 3.27, be fitted with
15 a one piece plug that is irremovable without dismantling the
16 shotgun or otherwise altered to render it incapable of holding
17 more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber, combined.
18     (n) It is unlawful for any person, except persons who
19 possess a permit to hunt from a vehicle as provided in this
20 Section and persons otherwise permitted by law, to have or
21 carry any gun in or on any vehicle, conveyance or aircraft,
22 unless such gun is unloaded and enclosed in a case, except that
23 at field trials authorized by Section 2.34 of this Act,
24 unloaded guns or guns loaded with blank cartridges only, may be
25 carried on horseback while not contained in a case, or to have
26 or carry any bow or arrow device in or on any vehicle unless

 

 

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1 such bow or arrow device is unstrung or enclosed in a case, or
2 otherwise made inoperable.
3     (o) It is unlawful to use any crossbow for the purpose of
4 taking any wild birds or mammals, except as provided for in
5 Section 2.33.
6     (p) It is unlawful to take game birds, migratory game birds
7 or migratory waterfowl with a rifle, pistol, revolver or
8 airgun.
9     (q) It is unlawful to fire a rifle, pistol, revolver or
10 airgun on, over or into any waters of this State, including
11 frozen waters.
12     (r) It is unlawful to discharge any gun or bow and arrow
13 device along, upon, across, or from any public right-of-way or
14 highway in this State.
15     (s) It is unlawful to use a silencer or other device to
16 muffle or mute the sound of the explosion or report resulting
17 from the firing of any gun.
18     (t) It is unlawful for any person to trap or hunt, or
19 intentionally or wantonly allow a dog to hunt, within or upon
20 the land of another, or upon waters flowing over or standing on
21 the land of another, without first obtaining permission from
22 the owner or tenant. It shall be prima facie evidence that a
23 person does not have permission of the owner or tenant if the
24 person is unable to demonstrate to the law enforcement officer
25 in the field that permission had been obtained. This provision
26 may only be rebutted by testimony of the owner or tenant that

 

 

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1 permission had been given. Before enforcing this Section the
2 law enforcement officer must have received notice from the
3 owner or tenant of a violation of this Section. Statements made
4 to the law enforcement officer regarding this notice shall not
5 be rendered inadmissible by the hearsay rule when offered for
6 the purpose of showing the required notice.
7     (u) It is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm
8 for the purpose of taking any of the species protected by this
9 Act, or hunt with gun or dog, or intentionally or wantonly
10 allow a dog to hunt, within 300 yards of an inhabited dwelling
11 without first obtaining permission from the owner or tenant,
12 except that while trapping, hunting with bow and arrow, hunting
13 with dog and shotgun using shot shells only, or hunting with
14 shotgun using shot shells only, or on licensed game breeding
15 and hunting preserve areas, as defined in Section 3.27, on
16 property operated under a Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Area
17 Permit, on federally owned and managed lands and on Department
18 owned, managed, leased or controlled lands, a 100 yard
19 restriction shall apply.
20     (v) It is unlawful for any person to remove fur-bearing
21 mammals from, or to move or disturb in any manner, the traps
22 owned by another person without written authorization of the
23 owner to do so.
24     (w) It is unlawful for any owner of a dog to knowingly or
25 wantonly allow his or her dog to pursue, harass or kill deer,
26 except that nothing in this Section shall prohibit the tracking

 

 

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1 of wounded deer with a dog in accordance with the provisions of
2 Section 2.26 of this Code.
3     (x) It is unlawful for any person to wantonly or carelessly
4 injure or destroy, in any manner whatsoever, any real or
5 personal property on the land of another while engaged in
6 hunting or trapping thereon.
7     (y) It is unlawful to hunt wild game protected by this Act
8 between one half hour after sunset and one half hour before
9 sunrise, except that hunting hours between one half hour after
10 sunset and one half hour before sunrise may be established by
11 administrative rule for fur-bearing mammals.
12     (z) It is unlawful to take any game bird (excluding wild
13 turkeys and crippled pheasants not capable of normal flight and
14 otherwise irretrievable) protected by this Act when not flying.
15 Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a person from carrying
16 an uncased, unloaded shotgun in a boat, while in pursuit of a
17 crippled migratory waterfowl that is incapable of normal
18 flight, for the purpose of attempting to reduce the migratory
19 waterfowl to possession, provided that the attempt is made
20 immediately upon downing the migratory waterfowl and is done
21 within 400 yards of the blind from which the migratory
22 waterfowl was downed. This exception shall apply only to
23 migratory game birds that are not capable of normal flight.
24 Migratory waterfowl that are crippled may be taken only with a
25 shotgun as regulated by subsection (j) of this Section using
26 shotgun shells as regulated in subsection (k) of this Section.

 

 

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1     (aa) It is unlawful to use or possess any device that may
2 be used for tree climbing or cutting, while hunting fur-bearing
3 mammals.
4     (bb) It is unlawful for any person, except licensed game
5 breeders, pursuant to Section 2.29 to import, carry into, or
6 possess alive in this State any species of wildlife taken
7 outside of this State, without obtaining permission to do so
8 from the Director.
9     (cc) It is unlawful for any person to have in his or her
10 possession any freshly killed species protected by this Act
11 during the season closed for taking.
12     (dd) It is unlawful to take any species protected by this
13 Act and retain it alive except as provided by administrative
14 rule.
15     (ee) It is unlawful to possess any rifle while in the field
16 during gun deer season except as provided in Section 2.26 and
17 administrative rules.
18     (ff) It is unlawful for any person to take any species
19 protected by this Act, except migratory waterfowl, during the
20 gun deer hunting season in those counties open to gun deer
21 hunting, unless he or she wears, when in the field, a cap and
22 upper outer garment of a solid blaze orange color, with such
23 articles of clothing displaying a minimum of 400 square inches
24 of blaze orange material.
25     (gg) It is unlawful during the upland game season for any
26 person to take upland game with a firearm unless he or she

 

 

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1 wears, while in the field, a cap of solid blaze orange color.
2 For purposes of this Act, upland game is defined as Bobwhite
3 Quail, Hungarian Partridge, Ring-necked Pheasant, Eastern
4 Cottontail and Swamp Rabbit.
5     (hh) It shall be unlawful to kill or cripple any species
6 protected by this Act for which there is a daily bag limit
7 without making a reasonable effort to retrieve such species and
8 include such in the daily bag limit.
9     (ii) This Section shall apply only to those species
10 protected by this Act taken within the State. Any species or
11 any parts thereof, legally taken in and transported from other
12 states or countries, may be possessed within the State, except
13 as provided in this Section and Sections 2.35, 2.36 and 3.21.
14     (jj) Nothing contained in this Section shall prohibit the
15 use of bow and arrow, or prevent the Director from issuing
16 permits to use a crossbow to handicapped persons as provided by
17 administrative rule. As used herein, "handicapped persons"
18 means those persons who have a permanent physical impairment
19 due to injury or disease, congenital or acquired, which renders
20 them so severely disabled as to be unable to use a conventional
21 bow and arrow device. Permits will be issued only after the
22 receipt of a physician's statement confirming the applicant is
23 handicapped as defined above.
24     (kk) Nothing contained in this Section shall prohibit the
25 Director from issuing permits to paraplegics or to other
26 disabled persons who meet the requirements set forth in

 

 

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1 administrative rule to shoot or hunt from a vehicle as provided
2 by that rule, provided that such is otherwise in accord with
3 this Act.
4     (ll) Nothing contained in this Act shall prohibit the
5 taking of aquatic life protected by the Fish and Aquatic Life
6 Code or birds and mammals protected by this Act, except deer
7 and fur-bearing mammals, from a boat not camouflaged or
8 disguised to alter its identity or to further provide a place
9 of concealment and not propelled by sail or mechanical power.
10 However, only shotguns not larger than 10 gauge nor smaller
11 than .410 bore loaded with not more than 3 shells of a shot
12 size no larger than lead BB or steel T (.20 diameter) may be
13 used to take species protected by this Act.
14     (mm) Nothing contained in this Act shall prohibit the use
15 of a shotgun, not larger than 10 gauge nor smaller than a 20
16 gauge, with a rifled barrel.
17 (Source: P.A. 93-807, eff. 7-24-04; 94-764, eff. 1-1-07.)
 
18     (520 ILCS 5/2.36)  (from Ch. 61, par. 2.36)
19     Sec. 2.36. It shall be unlawful to buy, sell or barter, or
20 offer to buy, sell or barter, and for a commercial institution,
21 other than a regularly operated refrigerated storage
22 establishment, to have in its possession any of the wild birds,
23 or any part thereof (and their eggs), or wild mammals or any
24 parts thereof, protected by this Act unless done as hereinafter
25 provided:

 

 

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1     Game birds or any parts thereof (and their eggs), may be
2 held, possessed, raised and sold, or otherwise dealt with, as
3 provided in Section 3.23 of this Act or when legally produced
4 under similar special permit in another state or country and
5 legally transported into the State of Illinois; provided that
6 such imported game birds or any parts thereof, shall be marked
7 with permanent irremovable tags, or similar devices, to
8 establish and retain their origin and identity;
9     Rabbits may be legally taken and possessed as provided in
10 Sections 3.23 and 3.24 of this Act;
11     Deer, or any parts thereof, may be held, possessed, sold or
12 otherwise dealt with as provided in this Section and Sections
13 3.23 and 3.24 of this Act;
14     Fur-bearing mammals, or any parts thereof, may be held,
15 possessed, sold or otherwise dealt with as provided in Sections
16 3.16, and 3.24, and 3.27-a of this Act or when legally taken
17 and possessed in Illinois or legally taken and possessed in and
18 transported from other states or countries;
19     The inedible parts of game mammals may be held, possessed,
20 sold or otherwise dealt with when legally taken, in Illinois or
21 legally taken and possessed in and transported from other
22 states or countries.
23     Failure to establish proof of the legality of possession in
24 another state or country and importation into the State of
25 Illinois, shall be prima facie evidence that such game birds or
26 any parts thereof, and their eggs, game mammals and fur-bearing

 

 

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1 mammals, or any parts thereof, were taken within the State of
2 Illinois.
3 (Source: P.A. 82-434.)
 
4     (520 ILCS 5/3.5)  (from Ch. 61, par. 3.5)
5     Sec. 3.5. Penalties; probation.
6     (a) Any person who violates any of the provisions of
7 Section 2.36a, including administrative rules, shall be guilty
8 of a Class 3 felony, except as otherwise provided in subsection
9 (b) of this Section and subsection (a) of Section 2.36a.
10     (b) Whenever any person who has not previously been
11 convicted of, or placed on probation or court supervision for,
12 any offense under Section 1.22, 2.36, or 2.36a or subsection
13 (i) or (cc) of Section 2.33, the court may, without entering a
14 judgment and with the person's consent, sentence the person to
15 probation for a violation of Section 2.36a.
16         (1) When a person is placed on probation, the court
17     shall enter an order specifying a period of probation of 24
18     months and shall defer further proceedings in the case
19     until the conclusion of the period or until the filing of a
20     petition alleging violation of a term or condition of
21     probation.
22         (2) The conditions of probation shall be that the
23     person:
24             (A) Not violate any criminal statute of any
25         jurisdiction.

 

 

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1             (B) Perform no less than 30 hours of community
2         service, provided community service is available in
3         the jurisdiction and is funded and approved by the
4         county board.
5         (3) The court may, in addition to other conditions:
6             (A) Require that the person make a report to and
7         appear in person before or participate with the court
8         or courts, person, or social service agency as directed
9         by the court in the order of probation.
10             (B) Require that the person pay a fine and costs.
11             (C) Require that the person refrain from
12         possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon.
13             (D) Prohibit the person from associating with any
14         person who is actively engaged in any of the activities
15         regulated by the permits issued or privileges granted
16         by the Department of Natural Resources.
17         (4) Upon violation of a term or condition of probation,
18     the court may enter a judgment on its original finding of
19     guilt and proceed as otherwise provided.
20         (5) Upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions of
21     probation, the court shall discharge the person and dismiss
22     the proceedings against the person.
23         (6) A disposition of probation is considered to be a
24     conviction for the purposes of imposing the conditions of
25     probation, for appeal, and for administrative revocation
26     and suspension of licenses and privileges; however,

 

 

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1     discharge and dismissal under this Section is not a
2     conviction for purposes of disqualification or
3     disabilities imposed by law upon conviction of a crime.
4         (7) Discharge and dismissal under this Section may
5     occur only once with respect to any person.
6         (8) If a person is convicted of an offense under this
7     Act within 5 years subsequent to a discharge and dismissal
8     under this Section, the discharge and dismissal under this
9     Section shall be admissible in the sentencing proceeding
10     for that conviction as a factor in aggravation.
11         (9) The Circuit Clerk shall notify the Department of
12     State Police of all persons convicted of or placed under
13     probation for violations of Section 2.36a.
14     (c) Any person who violates any of the provisions of
15 Sections 2.9, 2.11, 2.16, 2.18, 2.24, 2.25, 2.26, 2.29, 2.30,
16 2.31, 2.32, 2.33 (except subsections (g), (i), (o), (p), (y),
17 and (cc)), 2.33-1, 2.33a, 3.3, 3.4, 3.11 - 3.16, 3.19 - 3.21
18 (except subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (f.5), (g), (h),
19 and (i)), and 3.24 - 3.26, and 3.27-a (except subsection (f)),
20 including administrative rules, shall be guilty of a Class B
21 misdemeanor.
22     Any person who violates any of the provisions of Sections
23 1.22, 2.4, 2.36 and 2.38, including administrative rules, shall
24 be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Any second or subsequent
25 violations of Sections 2.4 and 2.36 shall be a Class 4 felony.
26     Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act,

 

 

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1 including administrative rules, during such period when his
2 license, privileges, or permit is revoked or denied by virtue
3 of Section 3.36, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
4     Any person who violates subsection (g), (i), (o), (p), (y),
5 or (cc) of Section 2.33 shall be guilty of a Class A
6 misdemeanor and subject to a fine of no less than $500 and no
7 more than $5,000 in addition to other statutory penalties.
8     Any person who violates any other of the provisions of this
9 Act including administrative rules, unless otherwise stated,
10 shall be guilty of a petty offense. Offenses committed by
11 minors under the direct control or with the consent of a parent
12 or guardian may subject the parent or guardian to the penalties
13 prescribed in this Section.
14     In addition to any fines imposed pursuant to the provisions
15 of this Section or as otherwise provided in this Act, any
16 person found guilty of unlawfully taking or possessing any
17 species protected by this Act, shall be assessed a civil
18 penalty for such species in accordance with the values
19 prescribed in Section 2.36a of this Act. This civil penalty
20 shall be imposed by the Circuit Court for the county within
21 which the offense was committed at the time of the conviction.
22 All penalties provided for in this Section shall be remitted to
23 the Department in accordance with the same provisions provided
24 for in Section 1.18 of this Act.
25 (Source: P.A. 94-222, eff. 7-14-05.)
 

 

 

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1     (520 ILCS 5/3.25)  (from Ch. 61, par. 3.25)
2     Sec. 3.25. Any individual who, within the State of
3 Illinois, holds, possesses or engages in the breeding or
4 raising of live fur-bearing mammals, protected by this Act,
5 except as provided in Sections 1.6 or 1.7, shall be a
6 fur-bearing mammal breeder in the meaning of this Act. Before
7 any individual shall hold, possess or engage in the breeding or
8 raising of live fur-bearing mammals, he shall first procure a
9 fur-bearing mammal breeder permit. Fur-bearing mammal breeder
10 permits shall be issued by the Department. The annual fee for
11 each fur-bearing mammal breeder permit shall be $25. All
12 fur-bearing mammal breeder permits shall expire on March 31 of
13 each year.
14     Holders of fur-bearing mammal breeder permits may hold,
15 possess, engage in the breeding or raising, sell, or otherwise
16 dispose of live fur-bearing mammals or their green hides,
17 possessed thereunder, at any time of the year.
18     Fur-bearing mammal breeders shall keep a record for 2 years
19 from the date of the acquisition, sale or other disposition of
20 each live fur-bearing mammal or its green hide so raised or
21 propagated, showing the date of such transaction, the name and
22 address of the individual receiving or buying such live
23 fur-bearing mammal or its green hide, and when requested to do
24 so, shall furnish such individual with a certificate of
25 purchase showing the number and kinds of live fur-bearing
26 mammals or green hides so disposed of, the date of the

 

 

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1 transaction, the name and permit number of the breeder, and the
2 name of the individual receiving, collecting, or buying such
3 live fur-bearing mammals or green hides, and such other
4 information as the Department may require. Such records and
5 certificates of purchase shall be immediately presented to
6 officers or authorized employees of the Department, any
7 sheriff, deputy sheriff, or other peace officer when request is
8 made for same. Failure to produce such records or certificates
9 of purchase shall be prima facie evidence that such live
10 fur-bearing mammals or green hides are contraband with the
11 State of Illinois. The holder of a fur-bearing mammal breeder
12 permit may exhibit fur-bearing mammals commercially.
13     Nothing in this Section shall be construed to give any such
14 permittee authority to take fur-bearing mammals in their wild
15 state contrary to other provisions of this Act, or to remove
16 such permittee from responsibility for the observance of any
17 Federal Laws, rules or regulations which may apply to such
18 fur-bearing mammals.
19     Holders of fur-bearing mammal breeder permits may import
20 fur-bearing mammals into the State of Illinois but may release
21 the same only after health and disease prevention requirements
22 set forth by the Director and other State agencies have been
23 met and permission of the Director has been granted.
24     The breeding, raising and producing in captivity, and the
25 marketing, by the producer, of mink (Mustela vison), red fox
26 (Vulpes vulpes) or arctic fox (Alopex lagopus), as live

 

 

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1 animals, or as animal pelts or carcasses shall be deemed an
2 agricultural pursuit, and all such animals so raised in
3 captivity shall be deemed domestic animals, subject to all the
4 laws of the State with reference to possession and ownership as
5 are applicable at any time to domestic animals. All individuals
6 engaged in the foregoing activities are fur farmers and engaged
7 in farming for all statutory purposes. Such individuals are
8 exempt from the fur-bearing mammal breeder permit requirements
9 set forth in this Section if: (1) they are defined as farmers
10 for Federal income tax purposes, and (2) at least 20 percent of
11 their gross farm income as reported on Federal tax form
12 Schedule F (Form 1040) for the previous year is generated from
13 the sale of mink, red fox or arctic fox as live animals, animal
14 pelts or carcasses.
15     No fur-bearing mammal breeder permits will be issued to
16 hold, possess, or engage in the breeding and raising of striped
17 skunks acquired after July 1, 1975, or coyotes acquired after
18 July 1, 1978, except for a coyote that is held or possessed by
19 a person who holds a hound running area permit under Section
20 3.27-a of this Act.
21 (Source: P.A. 86-920.)
 
22     (520 ILCS 5/3.27-a new)
23     Sec. 3.27-a. Hound running area permits; requirements.
24     (a) Any person owning, holding, or controlling by lease any
25 contiguous tract of land having an area of not less than 40

 

 

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1 acres who desires to establish a hound running area, to
2 propagate and preserve foxes, coyotes, or both, and to run
3 hounds in a hunt-like activity that is not designed to capture
4 or kill any fox or coyote, shall apply to the Department for a
5 hound running area permit under this Section. The application
6 shall be made under oath of the applicant or under oath of one
7 of its principal officers if the applicant is not an
8 individual. The application shall be accompanied by an annual
9 permit fee established by the Department by rule, which annual
10 fee shall not exceed $250. All hound running area permits
11 expire on April 30 of each year.
12     Every applicant under this Section must hold a fur-bearing
13 mammal breeder permit or apply for a fur-bearing mammal breeder
14 permit at the time that the applicant submits the application
15 for a hound running area permit.
16     Upon receipt of an application, the Department is
17 authorized to inspect the area proposed to be a hound running
18 area, as described in the application, the general premises,
19 the facilities where the foxes and coyotes are to be maintained
20 or propagated, and the habitat for foxes and coyotes. As part
21 of the application and inspection process, the Department shall
22 assess the ability of the applicant to operate a property of
23 this character. If the Department finds that the area meets the
24 requirements of all applicable laws and rules, that the foxes
25 and coyotes are or will be reasonably healthy and disease free,
26 and that the issuing of the permit will otherwise be in the

 

 

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1 public interest, the Department shall approve the application
2 and issue the permit for the operation of the property
3 described in the application with the rights and subject to the
4 limitations prescribed in this Section.
5     The holder of a hound running area permit may maintain
6 foxes and coyotes in temporary confinement facilities on the
7 hound running area or at another location inspected by the
8 Department and specified on the permit. Foxes and coyotes held
9 by a permit holder may be released only into a hound running
10 area. No fox or coyote held by a permit holder may be released
11 to the wild, exported, or given to a person that does not hold
12 a hound running area permit or a fur-bearing mammal breeder
13 permit, except with written authorization of the Director.
14     (b) No hound running area shall be operated in a manner
15 inconsistent with the following:
16         (1) Foxes and coyotes in a hound running area may be
17     chased with dogs, but not in a manner or with the intent to
18     capture or kill. The Department shall promulgate rules that
19     describe appropriate and prohibited activities for a hound
20     running area.
21         (2) Every hound running area must have a minimum of one
22     dog-proof escape area for each 20 acres or remaining
23     fraction thereof of hound running area. A dog-proof escape
24     area must be available for use by a fox or a coyote any
25     time dogs are present on the area. "Dog-proof escape area"
26     means a culvert, brush pile, fenced refuge, or other

 

 

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1     structure suitable for use by a fox or coyote to safely
2     escape from dogs present on the hound running area.
3     Dog-proof escape areas shall not be located immediately
4     adjacent to each other.
5         (3) Every hound running area shall promptly post on the
6     hound running area, at intervals of not more than 500 feet,
7     signs prescribed by the Department by rule. The boundaries
8     of the land on which the hound running area is located
9     shall also be clearly defined by fencing, natural or
10     artificial boundaries, or barriers and signs pursuant to
11     standards prescribed by the Department by rule. The fencing
12     or barriers on the hound running area shall be designed to
13     prohibit any fox or coyote in the hound running area from
14     escaping the area. The fencing or barriers on the area
15     shall also be designed to prevent any other foxes or
16     coyotes from entering the area. The area, signage, fencing,
17     barriers, boundary marking, dog-proof escape areas, and
18     facilities to maintain the foxes and coyotes in the area
19     and prevent other foxes and coyotes from entering the area
20     are subject to inspection by an officer, employee, or agent
21     of the Department at any reasonable time.
22         (4) The holder of a hound running area permit may
23     maintain foxes and coyotes in temporary confinement
24     facilities on the hound running area or at another location
25     inspected by the Department and specified on the permit.
26     Foxes and coyotes held by a permit holder may only be

 

 

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1     released into a hound running area. No fox or coyote held
2     by a permit holder may be released to the wild, exported,
3     or given to a person that does not hold a hound running
4     area permit or a fur-bearing mammal breeder permit, except
5     with written authorization of the Director. Prior to being
6     released into a hound running area, all newly acquired
7     foxes and coyotes shall be provided a minimum of 7 days to
8     acclimate to the hound running area in which the animal
9     will be chased. Any fox or coyote held under a permit is
10     subject to inspection by an agent of the Department and
11     this inspection may include removal of reasonable samples
12     from the fox or coyote for examination.
13         (5) Any person, as a permit holder or an employee of a
14     permit holder, who releases dogs on a hound running area
15     shall have in his or her possession a valid Illinois
16     hunting license, except that Illinois residents 15 years of
17     age or under and 65 years of age or over are exempt from
18     this requirement.
19         (6) The hound running area permit holder shall keep
20     accurate permanent records on forms prescribed by the
21     Department. The permanent record shall include, as to each
22     supplier of foxes or coyotes, (i) the supplier's full name,
23     address, and telephone number, (ii) the number, sex, and
24     ear tag designation of each animal purchased, donated,
25     sold, traded, or given to the permit holder by that
26     supplier, and (iii) the date of the event or transaction.

 

 

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1     The permanent record shall also include the identification
2     of all foxes and coyotes, while under the control of the
3     permit holder on the area or elsewhere, by ear tag
4     designation and sex, along with information for each fox or
5     coyote that gave birth, was born, died, or was disposed of
6     in some other manner or that was sold, traded, donated, or
7     conveyed in some other manner, and the dates on which those
8     events occurred.
9         (7) Every permit holder shall attach individually
10     marked ear tags provided by the Department to each fox or
11     coyote maintained by the permit holder. The permit holder
12     shall pay a fee for each ear tag as established by the
13     Department by rule, but the fee shall not exceed one dollar
14     per tag. The permit holder shall record the ear tag number
15     for each animal maintained on the area or elsewhere or
16     released into the area.
17         (8) Any person using the hound running area as part of
18     a hound running activity shall at all times respect the
19     rights of persons who own the area and those persons who
20     own the land adjacent to the area, and shall not injure or
21     destroy any livestock or property of these land owners.
22     Trees or shrubs shall not be mutilated or cut, nor shall
23     berries, fruits, or nuts be picked within the hound running
24     area, except by permission of the permit holder. Springs
25     and streams shall not be contaminated or polluted in any
26     manner by persons using the hound running area; however,

 

 

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1     the natural use of springs and streams by dogs using the
2     area shall not constitute contamination or pollution.
3     (c) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, it is
4 unlawful for any person, except by special permission of a duly
5 authorized representative of the Department, to enter or go
6 upon a hound running area at any time of the year with a
7 firearm, bow and arrow, or trap.
8     (d) A hound running area permit is not transferable from
9 one person to another. When a permit holder sells or leases the
10 property that comprises or includes a hound running area and
11 the purchaser or lessee intends to continue to use the hound
12 running area pursuant to this Section, the purchaser or lessee
13 must apply for a permit as provided in subsection (a) of this
14 Section.
15     (e) All foxes and coyotes acquired in conjunction with the
16 operation of a hound running area must be from legal sources.
17     (f) A person breeding or otherwise maintaining a fox or
18 coyote in conjunction with a hound running area must have the
19 fox or coyote inspected and certified to be a coyote, Red fox,
20 or Gray fox and to be disease free by a licensed Illinois
21 veterinarian. Anyone violating this subsection is guilty of a
22 business offense and shall be fined an amount not exceeding
23 $5,000.
 
24     (520 ILCS 5/3.33)  (from Ch. 61, par. 3.33)
25     Sec. 3.33. The Department may either refuse to issue or

 

 

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1 refuse to renew or may suspend or may revoke any game breeding
2 and hunting preserve area license or hound running area permit.
3 if the Department finds that such licensed area or the operator
4 thereof is not complying or does not comply with the provisions
5 of Section 3.35 of this Act, or that such property, or area is
6 operated in violation of other provisions of this Act, or in an
7 unlawful or illegal manner; however, the Department shall not
8 refuse to issue, refuse to renew nor suspend or revoke any
9 license for any of these causes, unless the licensee affected
10 has been given at least 15 days notice, in writing, of the
11 reasons for the action of the Department and an opportunity to
12 appear before the Department or a representative thereof in
13 opposition to the action of the Department. Upon the hearing of
14 any such proceeding, the person designated by the Department to
15 conduct the hearing may administer oaths and the Department may
16 procure, by its subpoena, the attendance of witnesses and the
17 production of relevant books and papers. The Circuit Court upon
18 application either of the licensee affected, or of the
19 Department, may, on order duly entered, require the attendance
20 of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers
21 before the Department or its representative in any such
22 hearing. Upon refusal or neglect to obey its order, the Court
23 may compel obedience by proceedings for contempt of court.
24 (Source: P.A. 84-150.)
 
25     (520 ILCS 5/3.35)  (from Ch. 61, par. 3.35)

 

 

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1     Sec. 3.35. Any licensee, or any other person, who willfully
2 and intentionally transfers or permits the transfer of the tags
3 issued to the operator of one licensed game breeding and
4 hunting preserve area to the operator of another licensed game
5 breeding and hunting preserve area, or to any other person, or
6 who affixes such tags to game birds not taken from a licensed
7 game breeding and hunting preserve area or to game birds taken
8 from any area other than the area for which such tags were
9 issued, is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
10     Any hound running area permit holder, or any other person,
11 who intentionally transfers a permit ear tag issued to the
12 permit holder for a hound running area to another permit holder
13 for a hound running area, or to any other person, or who
14 affixes such a tag to a fox or coyote that was not maintained
15 at a hound running area, is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
16 (Source: P.A. 84-150.)
 
17     Section 10. The Illinois Dangerous Animals Act is amended
18 by changing Section 1 as follows:
 
19     (720 ILCS 585/1)  (from Ch. 8, par. 241)
20     Sec. 1. No person shall have a right of property in, keep,
21 harbor, care for, act as custodian of or maintain in his
22 possession any dangerous animal except at a properly maintained
23 zoological park, federally licensed exhibit, circus,
24 scientific or educational institution, research laboratory,

 

 

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1 veterinary hospital, hound running area, or animal refuge in an
2 escape-proof enclosure.
3 (Source: P.A. 84-28.)

 

 

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1 INDEX
2 Statutes amended in order of appearance
3     520 ILCS 5/1.2j-5 new
4     520 ILCS 5/2.30 from Ch. 61, par. 2.30
5     520 ILCS 5/2.33 from Ch. 61, par. 2.33
6     520 ILCS 5/2.36 from Ch. 61, par. 2.36
7     520 ILCS 5/3.5 from Ch. 61, par. 3.5
8     520 ILCS 5/3.25 from Ch. 61, par. 3.25
9     520 ILCS 5/3.27-a new
10     520 ILCS 5/3.33 from Ch. 61, par. 3.33
11     520 ILCS 5/3.35 from Ch. 61, par. 3.35
12     720 ILCS 585/1 from Ch. 8, par. 241