Bill > S595

This bill, titled the Hunter and Farmer Protection Act of 2015, amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to prohibit exemptions for baiting migratory game birds on certain lands. It defines key terms such as "baited area," which includes areas where feed is placed to lure birds or, for waterfowl, cranes, and coots, standing unharvested crops that have been manipulated (unless it's a normal agricultural practice). "Baiting" is defined as the act of placing feed to attract these birds for hunting. The bill clarifies that "normal agricultural practice" involves actions taken to produce a marketable crop, as recommended by state agricultural extension systems and wildlife departments, and can include crop destruction for insurance purposes after a natural disaster, with specific limitations. The core prohibition makes it illegal to hunt migratory game birds by baiting or in a baited area, or to intentionally place bait to facilitate such hunting. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to create regulations, and the Secretary of Agriculture must report annually on changes to normal agricultural practices.