Fish and Game Code: game birds and waterfowl.

Existing law makes it unlawful to take, among other animals, mammals and birds outside of established seasons or to exceed any bag limit or possession limit established in the Fish and Game Code or by regulations adopted by the Fish and Game Commission. However, existing law authorizes possession of a game bird or mammal during a period other than the open season if the person possesses a hunting license and tag or tags issued to that person for the current or immediate past license year or the person receives the game bird or mammal from that licensee and has specific documentation that the recipient is a donor intermediary, as defined. This bill would require the commission, on or before January 1, 2015, and subject to specified federal regulations, to recommend legislation or adopt regulations to clarify when a possession limit is not violated by processing into food lawfully taken game birds or mammals. Existing law makes a violation of these provisions a misdemeanor, except a violation of designated statutes or regulations is either an infraction or a misdemeanor. This bill would make a violation of a specified regulation relating to the possession, transportation, and importation of game birds an infraction or a misdemeanor. The bill would also make various technical, nonsubstantive changes.