2019 -- H 5849

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LC002165

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE - FIELD TRIALS AND SHOOTING PRESERVES

     Introduced By: Representative Stephen R. Ucci

     Date Introduced: March 14, 2019

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 20-19 of the General Laws entitled "Field Trials and Shooting

Preserves" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     20-19-2.1. Shooting preserves - Five hundred acres and greater.

     (a) No person shall operate a shooting preserve for the purpose of taking deer, elk or

other animals allowed by rule or regulation unless a license has been obtained from the director.

     (1) Notwithstanding the provisions and licensing requirements set forth in § 20-19-2, a

shooting preserve set on a body of land greater than five hundred (500) acres in size may apply to

the director for a license that also allows for the release and taking of animals other than domestic

game birds.

     (b) The director shall promulgate all rules, regulations and fee structures necessary to

effect the purpose of this section, including, but not limited to:

     (1) Ensuring the shooting area is a single body of land not less than five hundred (500)

acres in size, and is accurately described in the application;

     (2) Determining what animals, in addition to elk and deer, may be released upon the

shooting preserve for the purpose of taking;

     (3) Determining the minimal acreage necessary for the release of animals in addition to

elk and deer; and

     (4) The type of records that must be maintained by the shooting preserve, including, but

not limited to:

     (i) The types of animals:

     (A) How they were acquired;

     (B) Where they were acquired;

     (C) A unique identification number and matching tag attached to the animal before

release;

     (D) A certified veterinarian report attesting to the health of the animal and the belief that

the release of the animal would not damage the state's ecology;

     (E) When the animal was released on the shooting preserve; and

     (F) The number of animals released.

     (ii) A list of the names of individuals who have been granted permission to hunt on the

shooting preserve;

     (iii) A copy of a valid Rhode Island hunting license or specialty license for the taking of

game on a shooting preserve only for each individual granted permission to hunt on the shooting

preserve;

     (iv) Information pertaining to the taking of any game bird under § 20-19-2 or other

animal under this section, including, but not limited to, the type of game bird or animal, the

number of game birds or animals taken, the unique identification number issued by the preserve,

and the number of the band issued by the department and attached to the wild bird or animal upon

taking;

     (v) The requirement that animals taken on a shooting preserve, pursuant to this section,

may be possessed and transported in any number but only when bearing the prescribed band

furnished by the department for a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) in addition to its cost of

manufacture or purchase.

     (c) In determining whether a license shall be granted under this section, the director shall

balance the state's interest in maintaining its ecology and open spaces with interests of the owners

of the shooting preserves and their desire to utilize their property as they see fit and the many

Rhode Islanders who find hunting to be an enjoyable pastime, without giving greater weight to

the opposition of abutters or opinions of those individuals or organizations who are opposed to

hunting on moral or other grounds.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE - FIELD TRIALS AND SHOOTING PRESERVES

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     This act would authorize shooting preserves of five hundred (500) acres or greater to

allow hunting deer, elk, or other animals in addition to domestic game birds as regulated by the

department of environmental management.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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