HB427 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jeff SorrellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Deer hunting, commercial deer hunting operation licensing program, established, licenses and licensing fees, special hunting seasons, Conservation and Natural Resources Dept. to enforce and adopt rules, criminal penalties for violations

Summary

HB427 creates a licensing system for commercial cervidae hunting preserves (artificially propagated deer), extends hunting seasons for those preserves, and sets rules and penalties for operators and hunters.

What This Bill Does

If passed, it requires operators to obtain a cervidae hunting preserve license and a privilege license, with a $500 annual license fee and a $2 issuance fee. It allows hunting of artificially propagated cervidae on licensed preserves, with no daily limit and a season from October 1 to February 10, and records of hunts must be kept, though counts do not affect hunters' bag limits. It also requires hunters on these preserves to hold appropriate Alabama hunting licenses and gives enforcement officers broad authority to inspect preserves and revoke licenses for violations.

Who It Affects

• Operators of commercial cervidae hunting preserves: must obtain licenses, pay fees, follow preserve rules, and risk license revocation for violations.
• Hunters who use licensed preserves: must hold proper Alabama hunting licenses (residents or nonresidents) and can hunt artificial cervids with no daily bag limit during Oct 1–Feb 10, with hunts recorded as required.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a commercial cervidae hunting preserve licensing program for artificially propagated deer within enclosed areas.
• Requires a cervidae hunting preserve license to operate, plus a privilege license issued by the county probate judge; annual license fee of $500 and $2 issuance fee; fees go into the Game and Fish Fund.
• Allows hunting of artificially propagated or pen-raised deer, or other cervidae designated by the Commissioner.
• No daily limit; hunting season runs October 1 through February 10; hunts must be reported and do not count toward bag limits.
• Any weapon legally used for deer hunting elsewhere in the state may be used on preserves; operators must ensure compliance with state hunting laws.
• All hunters on licensed preserves must have Alabama hunting licenses (residents follow state law; nonresidents must have appropriate nonresident licenses).
• Enforcement by game wardens and other officers; authorized to enter, inspect preserves, and revoke licenses for violations.
• The Department may adopt rules to implement and enforce the act.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Hunters and HuntingGame and Fish