AB 203

This bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to promulgate rules to

administer a program under which it provides instruction to disabled veterans who

are learning to hunt wild turkey and under which it establishes a special wild turkey

hunting event during which only disabled veterans are allowed to participate. The

bill defines a disabled veteran as a veteran who is a resident of this state and who

has a service-connected disability rating under federal law of at least 50 percent.

Under this bill, a disabled veteran may hunt wild turkey during a special wild

turkey hunting event established by DNR if the disabled veteran holds the required

turkey hunting approvals or has been issued a waiver from all hunting license,

permit, and other approval requirements by DNR, receives instruction about wild

turkey hunting as specified by DNR, and is accompanied by a mentor at all times

while hunting. The bill requires the mentor to have at least five years of hunting

experience, to hold a valid hunting approval, and to provide instruction or assistance

to the disabled veteran. The bill prohibits DNR from charging a disabled veteran

participating in the program a fee to receive instruction or a waiver. The bill requires

the special event to take place during the two-week period immediately preceding

the period during which the hunting of wild turkey is otherwise allowed by the

department.