S.B. No. 1245 amends Section 43.1075 of the Parks and Wildlife Code to allow qualified landowners or their agents to use helicopters for hunting specific animals, including feral hogs, coyotes, and aoudad sheep. The bill specifies that this activity must be conducted under the authority of a permit issued by the relevant subchapter. The previous language that limited the use of helicopters to feral hogs and coyotes has been updated to include aoudad sheep as an additional species that can be hunted in this manner.

The bill mandates that the Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt or amend rules as necessary to implement these changes, and it is set to take effect on September 1, 2025. This legislative change aims to address wildlife management and control measures for species that may be causing depredation on land.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Parks and Wildlife Code 43.1075 (Parks and Wildlife Code 43)
Senate Committee Report: Parks and Wildlife Code 43.1075 (Parks and Wildlife Code 43)
Engrossed: Parks and Wildlife Code 43.1075 (Parks and Wildlife Code 43)
House Committee Report: Parks and Wildlife Code 43.1075 (Parks and Wildlife Code 43)
Enrolled: Parks and Wildlife Code 43.1075 (Parks and Wildlife Code 43)