This bill amends West Virginia Code §20-2-28, which outlines the circumstances under which individuals are not required to obtain hunting or fishing licenses. The primary change proposed is that a hunting license will only be required for activities conducted on public land, thereby allowing individuals to hunt on private property without needing a license, provided they have permission from the landowner. Additionally, the bill includes various provisions that maintain existing exemptions for certain groups, such as resident landowners, active military personnel, disabled veterans, and individuals with specific disabilities.

The bill also makes several technical amendments, including the replacement of outdated references to sections of the law and the clarification of age requirements for certain exemptions. For instance, it updates the age reference for students receiving fly fishing instruction from "eighteen" to "18" years old. Furthermore, it introduces a new provision that explicitly states that any person may hunt on private property during open season, as long as they have the landowner's permission. Overall, the bill aims to simplify the licensing requirements for hunting while ensuring that specific exemptions remain intact.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 20-2-28