Georgia Legislative Update For Sportsmen

The 2022 session of the Georgia General Assembly is in full swing as state senators and representatives mull proposed law changes. There are several bills and resolutions on the radar for sportsmen. GON encourages all sportsmen to learn about legislation that could affect them, and to know of and be in contact with your state legislators. Find Your Legislator

A key date to note is Crossover Day on March 15, which is the last day a bill originating in one chamber needs to receive passage to be eligible in the other chamber. The last day of the 2022 legislative session is April 4.

Here’s a brief summary of bills and resolutions being considered by the Georgia General Assembly that might be of interest to hunters, anglers and conservationists.

HR 529 – Concern Over Ocmulgee River National Park: House Resolution 529 is a response to an effort to turn over to the National Park Service (NPS) the management and control of a 50-mile stretch of the Ocmulgee River corridor from Macon to Hawkinsville. Of particular concern to legislators and sportsmen is a proposal to include state Wildlife Management Areas in the National Park Service proposal. The defined study area for the national park includes Ocmulgee, Oaky Woods and Echeconnee Creek WMAs.

Citing the fact that hunting is routinely prohibited on NPS lands, the resolution states… “members of this body urge the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to remain the primary authority for all purposes of wildlife management and regulation in the case that a national park unit is established in the study and between Macon and Hawkinsville; members of this body insist that all lands operated by (DNR) shall be managed to provide hunting, fishing and other appropriate wildlife recreational opportunities following sound principles of wildlife management without influence of conflicting goals set forth by the National Park Service; and, members of this body urge the National Park Service to have enabling legislation that establishes hunting and fishing as the primary uses of any lands within a newly established or expanded National Park Service unit between Macon and Hawkinsville.”

SB 319 – Constitutional Carry: This legislation allows a law-abiding adult who is legally allowed to carry a concealed firearm to do so without first having to obtain government permission. Constitutional Carry is already law in 21 states, and in addition to Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Nebraska, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin all have Constitutional Carry legislation working through state legislatures right now. “SB 319 would ensure citizens have the right to self-defense without government red tape or delays,” says the NRA.

GA2A, formerly known as GeorgiaCarry.org, issued the following statement after Senate Bill 319 cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee last week by a vote of 6 to 3: “Our organization is grateful for Sen. Anavitarte (R – Dallas) and his unapologetic support of the 2nd Amendment,” said Jerry Henry, Executive Director of GA2A. “Through SB 319, we are one step closer to restoring the Constitutional Rights afforded to every law-abiding citizen in Georgia. We also want to thank Chairman Brian Strickland (R- McDonough) and Vice Chairman Bill Cowsert (R – Athens) for their leadership and support under the Gold Dome.”

HB 218 – Universal Recognition Of Weapons License: House Bill 218 grants universal recognition to concealed carry permits held by non-residents while in Georgia. It also directs the Georgia Attorney General to enter into agreements with any state that requires a formal agreement to recognize a Georgia Weapons Carry License. The concept of the bill is to recognize that Georgia residents traveling to other states and visitors to Georgia should not be left defenseless when crossing a state line.

HB 1147 – Year-Round Hunting And Trapping Of Raccoons And Opossums: This bill would amend the state law regulating the framework that DNR uses to set hunting seasons. Instead of raccoons and opossums having a hunting season framework set between Oct. 15 to Dec. 31, it would be set as “no closed season, except as may be adopted by the (DNR) board.” HB 1147 would also allow lawful trapping of raccoons and opossums at any time during the year instead of during the set trapping season. DNR currently allows landowners to apply for a special nuisance permit that allows year-round trapping of raccoon and opossums, nest-raiding predators that have become a problem on some properties where land managers suspect they are impacting turkey and other ground-nesting birds.

The Georgia Wildlife Federation through its Camo Coalition opposes HB 1147, saying in part, “This is bad legislation that provides no benefit to wildlife or to hunting. There is no scientific justification for HB 1147… We understand there is anecdotal evidence of increasing populations of raccoons and opossum… The most likely culprit of these expanding populations (if they are indeed expanding) is the incredible amount of ‘deer’ corn being put in the landscape since Georgia allowed killing deer over bait… Where there IS science, in things like hunter recruitment, ethics is a primary motivation… Proposals such as this, with little or no scientific justification, simply erect barriers to entry and allow hunting opposition to grow.” Click here to see the full opposition statement to HB 1147 by the Georgia Wildlife Federation. HB 1147 will be discussed during the House Game, Fish and Parks Committee meeting Thursday morning, Feb. 10, 2022 in Room 406 CLOB at 2 p.m.

HB 1148 – Prohibit Transport Of Whole Carcass Of Any Deer Into Georgia: HB 1148 would prohibit the importation, or transport into Georgia, from any other state, any whole carcass of a cervid (deer, elk, moose, etc.) or any part of a cervid that might contain part of the central nervous system. The law currently forbids bringing in a deer carcass from a state with a positive CWD detection. This bill would require hunters who live near a state line and hunt in South Carolina, Florida, etc. to get their deer processed in those states or bring back only the boned-out meat. Antlers, skulls skull plates, etc. could have no soft tissue attached. HB 1148 would also give DNR the authority to restrict movement of deer carcasses within Georgia if CWD is detected in the state. HB 1148 will be discussed during the House Game, Fish and Parks Committee meeting Thursday morning, Feb. 10, 2022 in Room 406 CLOB at 2 p.m.

SB 259 – Protect Hunting On 10-Acre Plus Tracts: Local municipalities and in some cases counties have looked to restrict hunting by passing local firearms discharge ordinances. Senate Bill 259, introduced by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R – Chickamauga) seeks to protect the right to hunt on tracts that are at least 10 acres in size. The key language of SB 259 includes, “The General Assembly declares it to be unreasonable for a municipality or county to prohibit the discharge of firearms on a parcel of land that is 10 acres or more in size with the consent of the owner or lawful occupant of such land. Any such prohibition, by zoning, ordinance, resolution, or any other manner, is preempted.” 

HB 343 – Minimum Fines For Repeat Trespassers: Few things irk a landowner or hunter with permission more than a poacher slipping in to hunt while trespassing. HB 343 would amend penalties for violations under Code Section 27-3-1 related to requirement of permission to hunt on lands of another. The minimum for a first offense would remain a $500 fine and misdemeanor charge; however a second offense within a two-year period would see the minimum fine increased from $1,000 to $1,500, and the two-time offender would have hunting privileges revoked for one year. A third offense within a three-year period would result in a minimum fine of $3,000 (currently $2,000) and a three-year revocation of hunting privileges. HB 343 passed the House last year by a vote of 172-0, but it hasn’t been taken up by the Senate.

For real-time updates on the Georgia Legislature, including votes and committee meetings, visit the Georgia General Assembly website.