Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7107-A, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1997, c. 432, §§20 to 22, is further amended to read:

4. Open season. There is a special muzzle-loading open season on deer, including antlerless deer, immediately following the regular deer hunting season for the purpose of hunting deer only with muzzle-loading firearms as defined in section 7001, subsection 23-A. The commissioner may terminate this open season at any time, in any area, if, in the commissioner's opinion, an immediate emergency action is necessary due to adverse weather conditions or severe hunting pressure. The length of the special muzzle-loading season is as follows:

B. The commissioner shall establish by rule the length of the special muzzle-loading season. The commissioner may establish seasons of different lengths in different regions of the State. The season may extend for no more than 12 hunting days in any part of the State.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §7457, sub-§1, ¶H, sub-¶(6) is enacted to read:

(6)__The taking of deer, including antlerless deer, is allowed by hunters using muzzle-loading firearms as defined in section 7001, subsection 23-A.

SUMMARY

This bill allows a person hunting with a muzzle-loader to hunt any kind of deer.