SB147 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rusty Glover
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Hunting, nighttime hunting, to be authorized by rule of Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, nighttime hours further defined for Chapter 11, Title 9, Sec. 9-11-235 am'd.
Summary: SB147 would restrict nighttime hunting to rules set by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, define nighttime hours, and adjust how raccoons and opossums may be hunted at night.
What This Bill Does
It prohibits taking birds or animals at night unless a rule from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources authorizes it, and it defines nighttime hours as 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. It continues to allow nighttime hunting of raccoons and opossums only where regulations permit, with conditions such as using a light or a shotgun no larger than #8, having a dog, and obtaining landowner permission when hunting on someone else’s land. Violations carry penalties under existing law (Class B misdemeanor with fines and potential jail time, plus temporary loss of hunting license), and the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after governor approval. It also notes an exemption from the local-funds voting requirements of Amendment 621 because it defines or creates a crime.

Who It Affects
Hunters and landowners: hunters would need CDNR authorization to conduct nighttime hunting of protected species, and those hunting raccoons/opossums at night would face specific equipment, animal-handling, and landowner-permission requirements when applicable.
Local governments and taxpayers: the bill acknowledges possible local-funds expenditure implications but states it is exempt from local-approval requirements under Amendment 621 due to being a crime-related provision.

Key Provisions
Prohibits nighttime taking of birds or animals protected by Alabama law unless authorized by a regulation of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Defines nighttime hours as 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise (based on Naval Observatory times).
Maintains limited nighttime hunting for raccoons and opossums only where authorized by regulation, with conditions: use of a light and/or shotgun with shot no larger than #8, accompaniment by a dog or dogs, and landowner permission if hunting on someone else’s land.
Violations are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor with fines between $2,000 and $3,000, up to six months in county jail, and revocation of hunting license privileges for three years.
Provides that the act does not require local government approval under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime, maintaining a local-funds-related exception.
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month following its 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: Game and Fish