HB147 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will AinsworthLt. Governor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Feral swine, declaration as destructive and invasive species, Conservation and Natural Resources Dept. authorized to adopt rules to reduce population and protect public health and property

Summary

HB147 would declare feral swine destructive and invasive in Alabama and require rules to reduce their population, while banning possession and most transportation of feral swine.

What This Bill Does

It declares feral swine destructive and invasive and requires the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to adopt rules to reduce their population and protect public health, property, and wildlife. The rules would set harvesting methods (daylight hours, firearms legal for big game) and allow live traps with bait (with dispatch required before removal), plus designate counties for an experimental eradication program using dogs. It also allows exemptions for using dogs at night with artificial light or for live traps with bait, with department-approved criteria. It would prohibit transporting feral swine within the state and prohibit possession of feral swine.

Who It Affects

• Hunters and trappers who would hunt feral swine under daylight-only rules, may use live traps with bait, potentially use dogs in designated counties, and may seek exemptions for night hunting or trap use
• General public and property owners, because feral swine would be banned from possession and transport within the state, and rules aim to protect public health, property, and wildlife

Key Provisions

• Declares feral swine a destructive and invasive species in Alabama
• Requires the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to adopt rules to reduce the feral swine population and protect public health, property, and wildlife
• Prohibits transportation of feral swine within Alabama unless authorized by department rule
• Prohibits possession of feral swine
• Harvest rules: a person may harvest feral swine only during daylight hours and by using any firearm and ammunition legal for the harvest of big game
• Trap rules: a person may harvest feral swine using live traps with bait, except during big game hunting seasons; all feral swine shall be dispatched prior to removal from a trap
• Designates certain counties for an experimental eradication program allowing the use of dogs for hunting feral swine
• Allows exemptions to use dogs to hunt feral swine at night with artificial light or to use live traps with bait, with criteria set by the department
• Prohibits transportation of feral swine within the state, with limited exceptions determined by the department
• Effective date: becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and governor's 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

Conservation and Natural Resources Department