MS HB816

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks must develop, implement, and regulate a mandatory electronic harvest reporting program for white-tailed deer using mobile apps, online web-based systems, or other digital methods designed for ease of use by sportsmen.

Department may establish an optional tagging and reporting program for turkey and must provide annual reports on the harvest reporting program to the Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committees of both chambers.

Violations of the harvest reporting program are Class II violations; each deer or turkey taken or possessed in violation constitutes a separate offense.

First violation convictions incur administrative fees of $100-$500; second and subsequent violations incur fees of $500-$1,000, with fees deposited to the State Treasurer and credited to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

No existing appropriated funds to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may be used to establish or operate the harvest reporting program; act takes effect July 1, 2025.