Sec. 53a-217e. Negligent hunting. Penalties. Fines deposited in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund and the Conservation Fund. Suspension of hunting license. Forfeiture of hunting weapon. Prima fa - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 53a-217e. Negligent hunting. Penalties. Fines deposited in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund and the Conservation Fund. Suspension of hunting license. Forfeiture of hunting weapon. Prima facie evidence of hunting. (a) As used in this section:

      (1) "Criminal negligence" shall have the same meaning as "criminal negligence", as defined in section 53a-3;

      (2) "Hunting" shall have the same meaning as "hunting", as defined in section 26-1;

      (3) "Loaded hunting implement" means (A) a rifle or shotgun with a live round in the chamber or in a magazine which is attached to such rifle or shotgun, a muzzle-loaded firearm with the percussion cap in place, or a flintlock firearm with powder in the pan, (B) a bow and arrow with an arrow notched on the bow, (C) a drawn crossbow with a bolt in place, or (D) a high velocity air gun that is charged with a projectile in the chamber or in a magazine that is attached to such air gun; and

      (4) "Serious physical injury" shall have the same meaning as "serious physical injury, as defined in section 53a-3.

      (b) (1) A person is guilty of negligent hunting in the first degree when, with criminal negligence while hunting, such person discharges a loaded hunting implement and thereby causes the death of another person.

      (2) Negligent hunting in the first degree is a class D felony.

      (c) (1) A person is guilty of negligent hunting in the second degree when, with criminal negligence while hunting, such person violates any provision of section 26-85 or discharges a loaded hunting implement and thereby causes the serious physical injury of another person.

      (2) Negligent hunting in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor and any person found guilty under subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be fined not less than four hundred dollars.

      (d) (1) A person is guilty of negligent hunting in the third degree when such person, while hunting, (A) discharges a firearm at a time of day when hunting is not permitted, (B) discharges a firearm from a vehicle, (C) hunts while the person's license to hunt is suspended, (D) hunts out of season or on a Sunday, or (E) discharges a firearm so as to cause the projectile to strike or enter into any building occupied by people or domestic animals or used for storage of flammable or combustible materials.

      (2) Negligent hunting in the third degree is a class B misdemeanor and any person found guilty under subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars.

      (e) (1) A person is guilty of negligent hunting in the fourth degree when such person, while hunting, (A) hunts without purchasing a license, permit or stamp or other permission required by law, (B) is in possession of a loaded hunting implement at a time of day when hunting is not allowed, (C) hunts with or discharges a firearm less than two hundred fifty feet from any building occupied by people or domestic animals or used for storage of flammable or combustible materials, or less than one hundred twenty-five feet from any such building while hunting in tidal water areas, unless written permission of the owner of such building has been obtained, or (D) hunts from or discharges a hunting implement from or across a public highway.

      (2) Negligent hunting in the fourth degree is a class C misdemeanor.

      (f) Any person who is convicted of a violation of any provision of subsection (b), (c) or (d) of this section or subsection (b) of section 53-206d within five years of a previous conviction for violation of this section shall be considered a persistent negligent hunter. Upon such second conviction within five years, a persistent negligent hunter shall be fined an amount that is not less than twice the minimum fine provided for the second violation and shall be subject to penalties provided for the next more serious degree of negligent hunting under subsection (b), (c) or (d) of this section or subsection (b) of section 53-206d.

      (g) Any fine imposed for a conviction under subsection (b) or (c) of this section or subsection (b) of section 53-206d shall be deposited in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund established pursuant to section 54-215. Any fine imposed for a conviction under subsection (d) or (e) of this section shall be deposited in the Conservation Fund established under section 22a-27h for land management or acquisition of hunting easements.

      (h) (1) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may suspend the hunting license of any person convicted under subsection (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this section or subsection (b) of section 53-206d for: (A) Indefinitely upon conviction of negligent hunting in the first degree or upon conviction of any violation of subsection (b) of section 53-206d; (B) up to ten years upon conviction of negligent hunting in the second degree; (C) up to five years upon conviction of negligent hunting in the third degree; and (D) up to three years upon conviction of negligent hunting in the fourth degree.

      (2) Any person arrested for a violation of subsection (b), (c) or (d) of this section or subsection (b) of section 53-206d, except as provided in section 26-85 shall surrender any firearm, bow, crossbow, bolt or high velocity air gun in the person's possession while hunting at the time of the alleged violation. Such property shall be confiscated at the time of arrest by a police officer or conservation officer. Upon nolle or dismissal of charges or acquittal of such person of such violation, such property shall be returned to the person within five business days and in the same condition as when the firearm, bow, crossbow or high velocity air gun was surrendered. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 54-33g and 54-36a, the property shall be turned over to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection upon conviction of such person for such violation. Said commissioner shall (A) retain the property for use by personnel of the Department of Environmental Protection, (B) convey the property to the Commissioner of Administrative Services for sale at public auction, the proceeds of which shall be credited to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund established pursuant to section 54-215, or (C) destroy the property.

      (i) Possession by any person of a loaded hunting implement while at or entering or leaving an area where a reasonable person would believe the objective was to take wildlife shall be prima facie evidence of hunting, except that a person may, one hour before sunrise during the regulated deer and turkey firearms hunting seasons, be in possession of a loaded rifle or shotgun, as defined in subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of this section, provided a live round is not in the chamber of the rifle or shotgun.

      (P.A. 00-142, S. 1.)