Sec. 62.015. HUNTING AND POSSESSION OF EXOTIC ANIMALS. (a) In this section, "exotic animal" means exotic livestock or exotic fowl as defined by Section 161.001(a), Agriculture Code, aoudad sheep, or elk.

(b) No person on a public road or on the right-of-way of a public road may hunt an exotic animal.

(c) No person may hunt on the land of another for an exotic animal without the express consent of the owner of the land to hunt for exotic animals.

(d) Except as provided in Subsections (e) and (f) of this section, no person may possess an exotic animal or the carcass of an exotic animal.

(e) Subsection (d) of this section does not apply to the owner or employee of the owner of the exotic animal, a person who holds a permit for the management of wildlife or exotic animals by the use of aircraft under Subchapter G, Chapter 43, of this code, a public health officer, a law enforcement officer, or a veterinarian.

(f) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under Subsection (d) of this section that the person possessed the exotic animal or the carcass of the exotic animal with the knowledge and consent of the owner.

(g) A person who violates this section commits an offense that is a Class A Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 477, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1985. Renumbered from Sec. 62.013 by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 16.01(28), eff. Aug. 28, 1989. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 424, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 969, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 863, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.