HB 427 Summary

• Establishes a commercial cervidae hunting preserve licensing program for artificially propagated or pen-raised white-tailed deer on enclosed areas, requiring operators to obtain a license from the county judge of probate.

• License fee is $500 per year plus a $2 issuance fee, with all collected fees remitted to the Game and Fish Fund of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

• Hunting season on commercial preserves runs from October 1 through February 10, with no daily bag limit for animals harvested from preserves, and harvested cervidae do not count toward hunters' regular season bag limits.

• All persons hunting on commercial preserves must possess valid Alabama hunting licenses; any lawful deer hunting weapon may be used on the preserves.

• Department of Conservation and Natural Resources agents and game wardens are authorized to inspect licensed preserves and enforce game and fish laws, with license revocation as penalty for violations.