One of the

major law changes in H.B. 815 is related to hunting and fishing licenses.Beginning

in March 2004, hunting and fishing licenses will be good for a full year

from the day they are purchased.Currently, all hunting and fishing licenses

expire in March regardless of when someone purchases it, except for lifetime

licenses.

H.B. 815 also

implements alligator hunting law changes (effective July 1), including

making it legal to hunt alligators at night and with the use of a light

(cannot exceed 12 volts).Last month, the Board of Natural Resources approved

a two-week alligator hunting season in parts of Georgia on a limited quota

basis.H.B. 815 outlines legal weapons for use in hunting alligators, including

hand-held ropes or snares, gigs or arrows with restraining lines and the

use of any caliber handgun or bangstick for dispatch purposes.

H.B. 815 also

impacts hunters who use dogs to hunt deer by requiring a permit ($100/annual,

$25/2-day) be issued to all property owners or lessees deer hunting with

dogs on their land (effective July 1).Permitted property cannot be less

than 1,000 contiguous acres.All dogs and vehicles used in hunting deer

on the permitted property must be identified with the permit number.Additional

regulations and guidelines for implementation of this new requirement

are still being developed.Hunters needing information about changes to

dog/deer hunting laws and permit regulations should visit the WRD Web

site, select hunting and review a posted Q&A fact sheet.Permits will

be available on the website and at WRD Game Management Offices after July

1.

For more information

about all recent law changes and proposed regulation changes, visit the

WRD website at www.gohuntgeorgia.com or contact the WRD Game Management

Office at 770-918-6416.

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