The bill amends Section 20-14-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-14 entitled "Birds" to update the prohibited methods of taking birds. The amendments include a new provision that explicitly allows the use of a crossbow to harvest wild turkeys, provided that the hunting is done in accordance with regulations established by the department of environmental management. This is a change from the current law, which does not allow the use of a crossbow for this purpose.

Other methods of taking birds that remain prohibited include hunting over baited areas, using live birds as decoys, using electronically amplified recordings of bird calls (except for crows), and using traps, snares, nets, spring guns, rifles, pistols, fishhooks, poison, drugs, explosives, or stupefying substances. Additionally, the bill specifies that migratory game birds may only be shot with a shotgun of size ten gauge or smaller, capable of holding three or fewer shells, or with a long bow, which now includes crossbows. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7730: 20-14-7