HB4939 - Relating to the ownership of deer in this state.

  89R11932 MP-D     By: Curry H.B. No. 4939       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the ownership of deer in this state.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 1.011, Parks and Wildlife Code, is   amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to   read as follows:          (a)   Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), all  [ All ] wild   animals, fur-bearing animals, wild birds, and wild fowl inside the   borders of this state are the property of the people of this state.           (a-1)     A deer is the personal property of the owner of the   tract of land on which the deer is located, provided the tract of   land is surrounded by a fence not less than seven feet in height   that is capable of retaining the deer at all times under reasonable   and ordinary circumstances.          SECTION 2.  Section 1.013, Parks and Wildlife Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 1.013.  FENCES.  This code does not prohibit or   restrict the owner or occupant of land from constructing or   maintaining a fence of any height on the land owned or occupied, and   an owner or occupant who constructs such a fence is not liable for   the restriction of the movement of wild animals by the fence.     Except as provided by Section 1.011(a-1), the  [ The ] existence of a   fence does not affect the status of wild animals as property of the   people of this state.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.