HB419 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes Long

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Wayne JohnsonDavid Sessions

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Conservation and Natural Resources Department, whitetail deer, may be hunted over bait under certain conditions, Sec. 9-11-244 am'd.

Summary

HB419 would let whitetail deer be hunted on private land within a defined area around supplemental feeders, under conditions where the feeder is hidden from the hunter's line of sight.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 9-11-244 to allow private-land whitetail deer hunting more than 100 yards from a supplemental feeder if the feeder is outside the hunter's line of sight. This exception does not apply on public lands. The bill names the act the Hunter Protection Act and clarifies that certain feeder types (mechanical, gravity, or trough) can be used to define the hunting area relative to the hunter. It maintains the overall bait prohibitions for other birds and animals, with a specific deer hunting exception, and sets an effective date based on gubernatorial approval.

Who It Affects

• Private landowners who use supplemental feeders, who would be able to hunt whitetail deer farther from feeders if the feeder is hidden from view.
• Hunters who hunt whitetail deer on private land under the new sight-line condition.
• Public land users, who remain subject to existing rules (the change does not apply on public lands).

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 9-11-244 to allow private-land whitetail deer hunting more than 100 yards from a supplemental feeder if the feeder is outside the hunter's line of sight.
• Explicitly limits the exception to private lands; not applicable on public lands.
• Names the act the Hunter Protection Act and clarifies use of supplemental feeders (mechanical, gravity, or trough) in relation to hunting areas.
• Maintains general bait prohibitions for other birds and animals, with a specific deer hunting exception.
• Sets the act to become effective on the first day of the third month after passage and gubernatorial approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Game and Fish