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HB1361 • 2026

Game check program; establish for white-tailed deer.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO DEVELOP AN ELECTRONIC GAME CHECK PROGRAM FOR WHITE-TAILED DEER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Kinkade, Remak
Last action
2026-03-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and therefore has no official effective date or further details on implementation beyond what is stated in the text.

White-Tailed Deer Game Check Program

This bill requires the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to develop an electronic game check program for white-tailed deer hunting.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the department to develop a mandatory game check system for white-tailed deer hunters.
  • The system must be simple and easy to use with options like smartphone apps or online reporting.
  • Hunters who break rules of the game check program can face fines and penalties.
  • The department must give yearly reports about the program to state committees.

Who It Names or Affects

  • White-tailed deer hunters in Mississippi
  • Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

Terms To Know

Game check program
A system used to track harvested wildlife to help manage natural resources.
Class III violation
A type of offense that comes with specific fines and penalties.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass during the session it was introduced.
  • It is unclear how many hunters will use the new system or if it will be effective in managing deer populations.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    03/03 (S) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-02-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/19 (S) Referred To Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks;Judiciary, Division B

  3. 2026-02-16 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/16 (H) Transmitted To Senate

  4. 2026-02-12 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/12 (H) Passed As Amended

  5. 2026-02-12 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/12 (H) Amended

  6. 2026-02-11 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/11 (H) Read the Third Time

  7. 2026-02-02 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/02 (H) Title Suff Do Pass

  8. 2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/19 (H) Referred To Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

Official Summary Text

Game check program; establish for white-tailed deer.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 1361 *HR26/R1345PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R1345PH
PAGE 1 (MCL\KW)

To: Wildlife, Fisheries and
Parks
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representatives Kinkade, Remak

HOUSE BILL NO. 1361
(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, 1
FISHERIES AND PARKS TO DEVELOP AN ELECTRONIC GAME CHECK PROGRAM 2
FOR WHITE-TAILED DEER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 4
SECTION 1. (1) (a) The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, 5
Fisheries and Parks shall develop, implement and regulate a 6
mandatory game check program for white-tailed deer in order to 7
collect and compile harvest data of such quality and quantity as 8
to be able to assist the Legislature and the Commission on 9
Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks in formulating the wildlife resource 10
conservation policy for the State of Mississippi. The game check 11
program required by this section must be a system that is simple 12
and usable by all sportsmen so as to promote compliance and 13
accurate reporting. The program may include, but need not be 14
limited to, means such as a mobile smart phone application, online 15
web-based reporting or other electronic or digital methods that 16
promote ease of use by sportsmen. 17
(b) The department shall provide an annual report on 18
H. B. No. 1361 *HR26/R1345PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R1345PH
PAGE 2 (MCL\KW)

the game check program to the Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks 19
Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives. 20
(2) (a) A person who violates any law or regulation 21
implementing and/or regulating the game check program is 22
guilty of a Class III violation, and is subject to the fines 23
provided in Section 49-7-101 and the assessments imposed under 24
subsection (3) of this section. 25
(b) Each deer taken or possessed in violation of the 26
game check program is a separate offense. 27
(3) (a) A person convicted of a first violation of the game 28
check program shall be subject to an assessment of not less than 29
One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), nor more than Five Hundred Dollars 30
($500.00), which shall be imposed and collected upon conviction. 31
A person convicted of a second or subsequent violation shall be 32
subject to an assessment of not less than Five Hundred Dollars 33
($500.00), nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), which 34
shall be imposed and collected upon conviction. 35
(b) The clerk of the court shall collect and deposit 36
the amounts assessed under this subsection with the State 37
Treasurer, in the same manner and in accordance with the same 38
procedure, as nearly as practicable, as required for the 39
collection and deposit of state assessments under Section 40
99-19-73. 41
(c) The amounts assessed under this subsection shall be 42
credited to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and 43
H. B. No. 1361 *HR26/R1345PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R1345PH
PAGE 3 (MCL\KW)
ST: Game check program; establish for white-
tailed deer.
may be expended by the department upon appropriation by the 44
Legislature. 45
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 46
and after July 1, 2026. 47