California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 499

Introduced by Assembly Member Cooley

February 23, 2015

An act to amend Section 4370 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to hunting.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 499, as introduced, Cooley. Archery season: concealed firearms.

Existing law establishes an archery season for the taking of deer with bow and arrow. Existing law generally prohibits a person taking or attempting to take deer during that archery season from carrying, or having under his or her immediate control, a firearm of any kind, except for an active or honorably retired peace officer, as specified.

This bill would authorize a person with a valid license to carry a firearm capable of being concealed on the person, consistent with the terms of that license, while engaged in the taking of deer with bow and arrow as long as he or she does not take or attempt to take deer with the firearm.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

Section 4370 of the Fish and Game Code is
amended to read:

4370.  

(a) In every area in which deer may lawfully be taken
during the general open season there is an archery season for the
taking of deer with bow and arrow. The season for each area shall
be as the commission may prescribe, with a minimum interposing
interval of three days immediately preceding the regular open
season on deer in that area. Except as provided in subdivision (b),
a person taking or attempting to take deer during such archery
season shall neither carry, nor have under his or her immediate
control, any firearm of any kind.

(b) A peace officer listed in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with
Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, whether active
or honorably retired, begin insert or a person with a valid license to carry a
concealed firearm pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section
26150) of Division 5 of Title 4 of Part 6 of the Penal Code,
consistent with the terms of that license, end insert may carry a firearm
capable of being concealed on his or her person while engaged in
the taking of deer with bow and arrow in accordance with
subdivision (a), but shall not take or attempt to take deer with the
firearm.