AB 927

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues bird

hunting preserve licenses that authorize the possession of captive game birds. These

include pheasants of certain species, quail that are native to the western hemisphere

(new world quail), and certain species of partridge. Each bird hunting preserve

license specifies the species of game birds that are covered by the license.

A bird hunting preserve license also authorizes the holder of the license to

introduce and release game birds for the purpose of establishing a population in an

area of the state where the game bird is not naturally present. In addition, the

license authorizes the propagation, sale, and purchase of the game birds and the

hunting of the birds on the preserve by the licensee and other activities authorized

by the licensee (licensed activities).

Current law authorizes DNR to promulgate rules to establish additional

requirements that must be met before game birds are brought into the state for

introduction or before they are released. Current law also authorizes DNR to

promulgate and enforce rules relating to the care, treatment, and feeding of these

birds, and to conduct inspections in order to enforce the laws related to bird hunting

preserves. This bill transfers from DNR to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and

Consumer Protection the authority to promulgate these rules and conduct these

inspections as they relate to possession and introduction of new world quail and

other licensed activities related to new world quail.