CHAPTER 243

(HB 1136)

Authorize special equipment
to enable certain disabled persons to engage in bow hunting.

         ENTITLED, An Act to  allow certain disabled bow hunters to use special equipment to operate the bow.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:

     Section  1.  That § 41-8-31 be amended to read as follows:

     41-8-31.   No person may at any time hunt, catch, take, attempt to take, or kill any small game or game animal in any other manner than by shooting the same with a firearm, except:

             (1)      Game birds and animals may be taken with birds trained in falconry or with bow and arrow;

             (2)      A disabled person who is missing an upper limb, physically incapable of using an upper limb, or confined to a wheelchair and who has obtained a disabled hunter permit may use a crossbow or other legal bow equipped with a draw-lock device to take game birds and animals; and

             (3)    A legally blind person, who is legally licensed, possesses a disabled hunter permit, and is physically present and participates in the hunt but cannot safely discharge a firearm or bow and arrow, may claim game birds and animals taken by a designated hunter in accordance with the license possessed by the legally blind hunter.

     A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

     Signed February 23, 2007

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