SPONSOR:	Rep. Wilson & Sen. Simpson ;
	Reps. D. Short, Hudson, Briggs King, Collins, Dukes, Gray, Kenton, Outten, Spiegelman, Carson; Sens. Ennis, Hocker, Lawson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 25

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO REGULATIONS AND PROHIBITIONS CONCERNING THE GRAY FOX.

Section 1. Amend Chapter 7, Title 7 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 796. Regulation of the harvesting of gray fox.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision, except for § 790 of this title, gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)

may be harvested statewide. The Department shall establish the season structure and framework through regulations promulgated pursuant to Chapter 101, Administrative Procedures Act, of Title 29.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the Department may issue a permit to a private landowner authorizing the landowner to manage gray foxes on his or her property, provided there is a wildlife management plan for the property, the wildlife management plan has been approved by the Department, and a reduction in the number of foxes was recommended by such plan. The permit shall specify the time during which, the means and methods by which, and the person or persons by whom the gray foxes may be killed or captured. The Department shall not charge a fee for the issuance of a permit under this section.

(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the killing of a gray fox by the owner of poultry if such fox is in the act of attacking such poultry. Such person may kill such foxes within a reasonable time after the pursuit, killing, or carrying away of the poultry.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this chapter, it shall be lawful to possess, buy, and sell the hides of gray foxes which are legally taken in Delaware or in another state.