HP0161, LD 200, item 2, Document Text

Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:

‘Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §11155, sub-§1-B, as repealed and replaced by PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, §8, is amended to read:

1-B. Issuance; permit fee. The commissioner, through the commissioner's authorized agent, shall issue in wildlife management districts that are open by rule for wild turkey hunting a combined fall and spring wild turkey hunting permit that allows an eligible person to take one male wild turkey in the spring and one wild turkey in the fall wild turkeys in the spring and fall seasons in accordance with section 11701. The fee for a combined fall and spring wild turkey hunting permit is $20 for residents and $54 for nonresidents and aliens. The holder of a combined fall and spring wild turkey hunting permit is eligible to purchase a 2nd spring wild turkey permit that allows the taking of one additional male wild turkey at a cost of $20 for residents, nonresidents and aliens.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §11701, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and amended by c. 655, Pt. B, §179 and affected by §422 and Pt. C, §§2 and 6, is further amended to read:

§ 11701. Authority of commissioner; wild turkey hunting

The commissioner may establish open seasons for hunting wild turkeys, designate areas that are open to the taking of wild turkeys in any part of the State, prescribe the form and regulate the number of permits to be issued, determine the number and sex of the birds to be harvested, establish bag limits, establish permit eligibility requirements, establish legal hunting times, specify the types of weapons to be used during any open wild turkey hunting season and make any other rules that the commissioner considers necessary for the protection of the wild turkey resource.

1. Spring season. The commissioner shall establish by rule a spring open season for hunting wild turkeys. Unless the commissioner determines that sound management principles require otherwise, the rule must allow during the spring open season for hunting wild turkeys:

A. A person to take up to 2 male wild turkeys without any additional fee for the taking of the 2nd male wild turkey;

B. A person to hunt from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. This paragraph is repealed August 1, 2016; and

C. A person to hunt wild turkeys using a crossbow, in addition to any other weapons allowed by the rule.

2. Fall season. The commissioner shall establish by rule a fall open season for hunting wild turkeys. Unless the commissioner determines that sound management principles require otherwise, the rule must establish a fall open season that includes the month of October and allow a person to take up to 2 wild turkeys regardless of sex without any additional fee for the taking of a 2nd wild turkey.

3. Youth day. The commissioner shall establish by rule a spring youth hunting day for hunting wild turkeys from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The season must take place on the Saturday prior to the opening of the spring open season for hunting wild turkeys under subsection 1.

A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime for which the court shall impose a fine of not less than $500, none of which may be suspended. The court also shall impose a fine of $500 for each turkey unlawfully possessed, none of which may be suspended.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §12301-A, sub-§3, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §226 and affected by §422, is amended to read:

B. Attach a seal to each bear, deer, moose or wild turkey in the manner directed and with the materials furnished by the commissioner; and

Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §12301-A, sub-§3, ¶C, as amended by PL 2011, c. 660, §1, is further amended to read:

C. Collect $5 and retain $2 for each seal from the person registering a bear, deer , or moose or wild turkey. The remaining $3 must be returned to the department by the agent pursuant to section 10801, subsection 3 . ; and

Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §12301-A, sub-§3, ¶D is enacted to read:

D. Collect and retain $2 for each wild turkey registered.’

summary

This amendment does the following:

1. It requires the establishment of a spring youth hunting day for wild turkey during which hunting is allowed beginning 30 minutes before sunrise and ending 30 minutes after sunset. The season must take place on the Saturday prior to the start of the spring wild turkey hunting season;

2. It reduces the tagging fee from $5 to $2 per wild turkey and directs registration agents to retain the $2 tagging fees they collect;

3. It directs the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish a spring wild turkey hunting season during which a person may take up to 2 male wild turkeys and a fall wild turkey hunting season during which a person to take up to 2 wild turkeys of either sex. During the spring open season a person may take wild turkeys with a crossbow, bow and arrow or shotgun; and

4. It. provides that the hours for the spring wild turkey hunting season are from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. This provision is repealed at the end of the spring 2016 season.

HP0161 LD 200	Session - 126th Maine Legislature C "A", Filing Number H-542, Sponsored by		LR 745 Item 2
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