Sec. 1.014. USE OF CERTAIN WEAPONS IN OR ON BED OR BANK OF NAVIGABLE RIVER OR STREAM PROHIBITED. (a) In this section:

(1) "Archery equipment" means a longbow, recurved bow, compound bow, or crossbow.

(2) "Firearm" has the meaning assigned by Section 62.014.

(3) "Navigable river or stream" has the meaning assigned by Section 90.001.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a person may not discharge a firearm or shoot an arrow from any kind of bow if:

(1) the person is located in or on the bed or bank of a navigable river or stream at the time the firearm is discharged or the arrow is shot from the bow; or

(2) any portion of the ammunition discharged or arrow shot could physically contact the bed or bank of a navigable river or stream.

(c) This section does not apply to:

(1) an individual acting in the scope of the individual's duties as a peace officer or department employee;

(2) the discharge of a shotgun loaded with ammunition that releases only shot when discharged;

(3) an individual engaging in fishing using archery equipment, if the individual is in compliance with Subsection (e);

(4) the discharge of a firearm during the legal taking of an alligator; or

(5) the discharge of a firearm from the bank of a navigable river or stream to take a venomous snake or nonindigenous rodent by:

(A) an owner of the land adjacent to or through which the navigable river or stream runs; or

(B) an agent of an owner described by Paragraph (A).

(d) This section does not limit the ability of a license holder to carry a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code.

(e) An individual engaging in fishing using archery equipment may not possess while fishing:

(1) an arrow equipped with fletching of any kind;

(2) an unbarbed arrow; or

(3) a bow that is not equipped with a reel and line.

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

(g) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under Title 7, the actor may be prosecuted under this section or the other law, but not both.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 272 (H.B. 2027), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 583 (H.B. 3808), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 437 (H.B. 910), Sec. 39, eff. January 1, 2016.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 729 (H.B. 489), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.

Transferred, redesignated and amended from Parks and Wildlife Code, Section 284.001 by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1090 (S.B. 1236), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.