The bill amends South Dakota law regarding the safety zone for hunting and trapping activities near occupied dwellings, churches, schoolhouses, and livestock. It changes the existing safety zone distance from six hundred sixty feet to one-quarter mile. This means that only the owner of the property or individuals with written permission from the owner can discharge firearms or hunt within this newly defined one-quarter mile safety zone. Additionally, trapping is restricted within the same distance, with similar permissions required.

The bill also establishes penalties for violations, classifying them as a Class 2 misdemeanor. If an individual is convicted of discharging a firearm within the one-quarter mile safety zone, the court is mandated to revoke that person's hunting privileges for one year. This revocation can be served consecutively with any other hunting privilege revocations resulting from different violations. Overall, the bill aims to enhance safety measures for communities by expanding the restricted areas for hunting and trapping activities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 02/05/2025: 41-9-1.1