Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7458-A is enacted to read:

§7458-A. Hunting white-tailed deer and black bear; certain

ammunition prohibited

1.__Certain ammunition prohibited. A person may not hunt for white-tailed deer or black bear with the following ammunition:

A.__A bullet weighing less than 50 grains;

B.__A bullet with a full metal casing;

C.__A bullet rated at .345 caliber or less, unless that bullet has a weight of 50 grains or more and a minimum energy of 1100 foot-pounds; or

D.__A bullet rated from .346 to .41 caliber, unless that bullet has a weight of 120 grains and a minimum energy of 500 foot-pounds.__Ammunition in this caliber range used in muzzle-loaders is exempt from the 500 foot-pound energy requirement.

2.__Exceptions.__The following are exceptions to the prohibition in subsection 1.

A.__Ammunition otherwise prohibited in subsection 1 may be used to kill wounded prey.

B. The commissioner may allow the use of ammunition that is not rated in the United States if the commissioner determines that that ammunition meets the standards in subsection 1.

C.__Any bullet of .42 caliber or greater is exempt from subsection 1.

3.__Violation.__A person who violates this section is guilty of hunting with prohibited ammunition.__Hunting with prohibited ammunition is a Class E crime.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes minimum standards for ammunition used to hunt white-tailed deer and black bear. The bill prohibits the use of any bullet that weighs less than 50 grains or that has a full metal casing. Bullets of 50 grains or more that are less than .42 caliber must meet certain weight and power standards. Bullets of .42 caliber or greater are exempt from these prohibitions.