Title 27, Chapter 3, Section 7
( 27-3-7)
(a) As used in this Code section, the term "hunt" or "hunting" means the act of hunting, as such term is defined in Code Section 27-1-2, while in possession of or using a firearm, bow, or any other device which serves to launch a projectile. (b) A person shall not hunt while: (1) Under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it is less
safe for the person to hunt; (2) Under the influence of any drug to the extent that it is less
safe for the person to hunt; (3) Under the combined influence of alcohol and any drug to the
extent that it is less safe for the person to hunt; (4) The person's alcohol concentration is 0.10 grams or more at
any time within three hours after such hunting from alcohol
consumed before such hunting ended; or (5) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this Code section, there is any amount of marijuana or a controlled substance, as defined in Code Section 16-13-21, present in the person's blood or urine, or both, including the metabolites and derivatives of each or both without regard to whether or not any alcohol is present in the person's breath or blood. (c) The fact that any person charged with violating this Code
section is or has been legally entitled to use a drug shall not
constitute a defense against any charge of violating this Code
section; provided, however, that such person shall not be in
violation of this Code section unless such person is rendered
incapable of hunting safely as a result of using a drug other than
alcohol which such person is legally entitled to use. (d) Upon the trial of any civil or criminal action or proceeding
arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person in
violation of subsection (b) of this Code section, evidence of the
amount of alcohol or drug in a person's blood, urine, breath, or
other bodily substance at the alleged time, as determined by a
chemical analysis of the person's blood, urine, breath, or other
bodily substance shall be admissible. Where such a chemical test is
made, the following provisions shall apply: (1) Chemical analysis of the person's blood, urine, breath, or
other bodily substance, to be considered valid under this Code
section, shall have been performed according to methods approved
by the Division of Forensic Sciences of the Georgia Bureau of
Investigation on a machine which was operated with all the
electronic and operating components prescribed by its manufacturer
properly attached and in good working order and by an individual
possessing a valid permit issued by the Division of Forensic
Sciences for this purpose. The Division of Forensic Sciences of
the Georgia Bureau of Investigation shall approve satisfactory
techniques or methods to ascertain the qualifications and
competence of individuals to conduct analyses and to issue
permits, along with requirements for properly operating and
maintaining any testing instruments, and to issue certificates
certifying that instruments have met those requirements, which
certificates and permits shall be subject to termination or
revocation at the discretion of the Division of Forensic Sciences; (2) When a person undergoes a chemical test at the request of a
law enforcement officer, only a physician, registered nurse,
laboratory technician, emergency medical technician, or other
qualified person may withdraw blood for the purpose of determining
the alcoholic content therein, provided that this limitation shall
not apply to the taking of breath or urine specimens. No
physician, registered nurse, or other qualified person or employer
thereof shall incur any civil or criminal liability as a result of
the medically proper obtaining of such blood specimens when
requested in writing by a law enforcement officer; (3) The person tested may have a physician or a qualified
technician, chemist, registered nurse, or other qualified person
of his or her own choosing administer a chemical test or tests in
addition to any administered at the direction of a law enforcement
officer. The justifiable failure or inability to obtain an
additional test shall not preclude the admission of evidence
relating to the test or tests taken at the direction of a law
enforcement officer; and (4) Upon the request of the person who shall submit to a chemical
test or tests at the request of a law enforcement officer, full
information concerning the test or tests shall be made available
to such person or such person's attorney. The arresting officer at
the time of arrest shall advise the person arrested of his or her
rights to a chemical test or tests according to this Code section. (e) In the event of a hunting accident involving a fatality, the
investigating coroner or medical examiner having jurisdiction shall
direct that a chemical blood test to determine the blood alcohol
concentration or the presence of drugs be performed on the dead
person and that the results of such test be properly recorded on his
or her report. (f) Upon the trial of any civil or criminal action or proceeding
arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person
hunting in violation of subsection (b) of this Code section, the
amount of alcohol in the person's blood at the time alleged, as
shown by chemical analysis of the person's blood, urine, breath, or
other bodily substance, shall give rise to the following
presumptions: (1) If there was at that time a blood alcohol concentration of
0.05 grams or less, it shall be presumed that the person was not
under the influence of alcohol, as prohibited by paragraphs (1),
(2), and (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section; (2) If there was at that time a blood alcohol concentration in
excess of 0.05 grams but less than 0.08 grams, such fact shall not
give rise to any presumption that the person was or was not under
the influence of alcohol, as prohibited by paragraphs (1), (2),
and (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section, but such fact may
be considered with other competent evidence in determining whether
the person was under the influence of alcohol, as prohibited by
paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (b) of this Code
section;
(3) If there was at that time a blood alcohol concentration of
0.08 grams or more, it shall be presumed that the person was under
the influence of alcohol, as prohibited by paragraphs (1), (2),
and (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section; and (4) If there was at that time or within three hours after hunting,
from alcohol consumed before such hunting ended, a blood alcohol
concentration of 0.10 or more grams, the person shall be in
violation of paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this Code section. (g)(1) Any person who exercises the privilege of hunting in this
state shall be deemed to have given consent, subject to subsection
(d) of this Code section, to a chemical test or tests of his or
her blood, breath, urine, or other bodily substances for the
purpose of determining the presence of alcohol or any other drug,
if arrested for any offense arising out of acts alleged to have
been committed while such person was hunting in violation of
subsection (b) of this Code section. Subject to subsection (d) of
this Code section, the requesting law enforcement officer shall
designate which test or tests shall be administered. (2) At the time a chemical test or tests are requested, the
arresting officer shall read to the person the following implied
consent warning: "Georgia law requires you to submit to state administered
chemical tests of your blood, breath, urine, or other bodily
substances for the purpose of determining if you are under the
influence of alcohol or drugs. If you refuse this testing and
you are convicted of hunting while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, your privilege to hunt in this state will be
suspended for a period of two years. Your refusal to submit to
the required testing may be offered into evidence against you at
trial. If you consent to the test, the results may be offered
into evidence against you. After first submitting to the
required state tests, you are entitled to additional chemical
tests of your blood, breath, urine, or other bodily substances
at your own expense and from qualified personnel of your own
choosing. Will you submit to the state administered chemical
tests of your (designate_which_tests) under the implied consent
law?" (h) Any person who is dead, unconscious, or otherwise in a condition
rendering such person incapable of refusal shall be deemed not to
have withdrawn the consent provided by subsection (g) of this Code
section, and the test or tests may be administered, subject to
subsection (d) of this Code section. (i)(1) If a person refuses, upon the request of a law enforcement
officer, to submit to a chemical test designated by the law
enforcement officer as provided in subsection (g) of this Code
section, no test shall be given; provided, however, that subject
to the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection,
such refusal shall be admissible in any legal action; and
provided, further, that upon conviction of a violation of
subsection (b) of this Code section, in addition to any other
punishment imposed, such person's privileges to hunt in this state
shall be suspended by operation of law for a period of two years.
The fact that such person was not in possession of a valid hunting
license at the time of the violation shall have no effect on the
suspension of his or her hunting privilege. (2) If in any legal action a party desires to present evidence of
the refusal of a person charged with violating subsection (b) of
this Code section to submit to a chemical test designated by a law
enforcement officer as provided in subsection (g) of this Code
section, the party desiring to present such evidence shall request
the judge presiding over such legal proceeding to hold a hearing
to determine the admissibility of such evidence after notice to
the person alleged to have refused to submit to such testing and
to the law enforcement officer. (3) The scope of the hearing shall be limited to the following
issues: (A) Whether the law enforcement officer had reasonable grounds
to believe the person was hunting while under the influence of
alcohol or a controlled substance and was lawfully placed under
arrest for violating subsection (b) of this Code section; (B) Whether at the time of the request for the test or tests the
officer informed the person of the person's implied consent
rights and the consequence of submitting or refusing to submit
to such test; and (C) Whether the person refused to submit to the test. (4) It shall be unlawful during any period of a person's hunting
privilege suspension for such person to: (A) Hunt without a license in violation of Code Section 27-2-1; (B) Possess a current Georgia hunting license; or (C) Hunt in any situation where a hunting license is not
required. (5) Any person convicted of hunting while intoxicated while his or
her hunting privileges are suspended pursuant to this subsection
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. |