People taking wildlife would keep firearms and projectile weapons unloaded in vehicles

The signed bill would bar people from carrying loaded firearms or projectile weapons to take wildlife in covered vehicles and machines. The rule covers automobiles, other vehicles, farm machines, and motorboats or sailboats under power when a person carries the weapon to take wildlife. The rule also covers ammunition in a weapon’s magazine or chamber. An exception applies when federal law permits hunting crippled migratory birds from a motorboat.

The signed bill would bar shooting at or killing protected wildlife with firearms or projectile weapons from certain vehicles, boats, and farm machines. The rule covers people in motor vehicles, motorboats, sailboats, and farm machines. A boat need not be under power. An exception applies when federal law permits hunting crippled migratory birds from a motorboat.

The signed bill would limit firing near occupied buildings while hunting or trapping and provide a shorter zone for certain deer hunters. The 100-yard limit covers firing firearms or air guns near occupied homes and related buildings while hunting or trapping. The zone is 50 yards for deer hunting with a projectile weapon other than an air gun. The 100-yard firing limit does not apply to an owner, occupant, or person with permission from either one. Shooting at wildlife inside a safety zone requires specific advance permission from the owner or tenant.

The signed bill would limit firing firearms or projectile weapons on or near public roads and public rights-of-way. The rule covers anyone firing a firearm or projectile weapon on or within 15 yards of a public road or public right-of-way. Lawful self-defense is excepted. A road or right-of-way is also excepted if it lies in an area controlled by Delaware’s natural resources department, Delaware’s agriculture department, or the U.S. Interior Department and that agency designates the area as open to hunting or trapping.

The signed bill lists firearm or projectile weapon use among grounds the department may use to revoke or deny its licenses or restrict hunting, fishing, or trapping. The department may act against licenses it issues or a person’s right to hunt, fish, or trap in Delaware. Any bar may last up to one year. One ground requires a conviction for careless use of a firearm or projectile weapon while hunting that injured a person, poultry, or livestock. The other requires the department to find that a license holder hunted with a firearm or projectile weapon while intoxicated.