TO AMEND SECTION 50-11-710(A)(2), SECTION 50-11-710(B), AND SECTION 50-11-710(F)(1) OF THE 1976 CODE, ALL RELATING TO HUNTING FERAL HOGS AT NIGHT, TO REMOVE ALL RESTRICTIONS UPON HUNTING FERAL HOGS AT NIGHT AND TO REMOVE ALL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING NIGHT HUNTING RESTRICTIONS ON FERAL HOGS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    A.        Section 50-11-710(A)(2) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(2)    Feral hogs may be hunted at night with or without the aid of bait, electronic calls, artificial light, or night vision devices:

(a)    during any time of the year with a bow and arrow other than a crossbow, or pistol having iron sights, a barrel length not exceeding nine inches, and which is not equipped with a butt-stock, scope, or laser site;

(b)    from the last day of February to the first day of July of that same year with any legal firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow when notice is given to the department pursuant to subsection (D). When hunting at night with a center fire rifle pursuant to this item, a hunter must be at an elevated position at least ten feet from the ground; and

(c)    at any time of the year under authority of and pursuant to the conditions contained in a depredation permit issued by the department pursuant to Section 50-11-2570."

B.    Section 50-11-710(B) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(B)    The provisions contained in items (2)(b) and item (3)(b) of subsection (A) do not apply to a person who has violated any provision contained in Article 4, Chapter 11, Title 50, except Section 50-11-708 and Section 50-11-750, during the previous five years."

C.    Section 50-11-710(F)(1) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(F)(1)    A person who violates items (2) and item (3) of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.