AL HB152

Amends Section 9-11-235 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to prohibit nighttime hunting of protected birds and animals unless authorized by rule of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Defines "nighttime hours" as 30 minutes after sunset through 30 minutes before sunrise of the following day, based on United States Naval Observatory records.

Removes the existing exception allowing nighttime hunting of raccoons and opossums by commissioner regulation, making all nighttime hunting subject to departmental rule authorization.

Maintains an exception allowing nighttime hunting of foxes with dogs.

First offense penalty is a Class B misdemeanor with fines of $2,000 to $3,000 and up to six months in county jail, plus revocation of hunting licenses for three years.