H. B. 2355
(By Delegates Love (By Request) and Riggs (By Request))
[Introduced February 3, 1995; referred to the
Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.]
A BILL to amend and reenact section eleven, article two, chapter
twenty of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine
hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to wildlife
resources; and the sale and transportation of wildlife.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That section eleven, article two, chapter twenty of the code
of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as
amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 2. WILDLIFE RESOURCES.
§20-2-11. Sale of wildlife; transportation of same.
No person, except those legally licensed to operate private game preserves for the purpose of propagating game for commercial
purposes, and those legally licensed to propagate or sell fish,
amphibians and other forms of aquatic life, shall may purchase or
offer to purchase, sell or offer to sell, expose for sale, or
have in his possession for the purpose of sale any wildlife, or
part thereof: which has been designated as game animals, fur-
bearing animals, game birds, game fish or amphibians, or any of
the song or insectivorous birds of the state, or any other
species of wildlife which the director may designate: Provided,
That pelts of game or fur-bearing animals taken during the legal
season may be sold and live red and gray foxes and raccoon
raccoons taken by legal methods during legal and established
trapping seasons may be sold within the state: Provided,
however, That hide, head, antlers and feet of a legally killed
deer and the hide, head, skull, organs and feet of a legally
killed black bear may be sold.
No person, including a common carrier, shall may transport,
carry or convey, or receive for such these purposes any wildlife,
the sale of which is prohibited, if such the person knows or has
reason to believe that such the wildlife has been or is to be sold in violation of this section.
The selling or exposing for sale, having in possession for
sale, transporting or carrying in violation of this section shall
each constitute constitutes a separate misdemeanor offense.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other section of
this chapter, any game birds or game bird meats sold by licensed
retailers may be served at any hotel, restaurant or other
licensed eating place in this state.
The director shall have authority to may promulgate rules
and regulations in accordance with chapter twenty-nine-a of this
code, dealing with the sale of wildlife and the skins thereof.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to broaden the types of
wildlife prohibited from sale in West Virginia.