A.__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.

2.__Applicability of laws.__The following provisions apply during the muzzle-loading open season.

A.__The commissioner's authority to regulate the harvest of antlerless deer under section 11152 is applicable during the muzzle-loading hunting season.

B.__Deer tags for the muzzle-loading open season must be issued for use in the same manner as regular deer tags.

C.__Except as provided in this section, the provisions of this Part relating to deer apply to the taking of deer with muzzle-loading firearms.

ARTICLE 2

HUNTING METHODS SPECIFIC TO DEER

§11451.__Hunting deer with unconventional weapon; license

1.__License required.__Except as otherwise authorized in this Part, a person may not hunt deer with an unconventional weapon unless that person has a valid license issued under this section.__ Each day a person violates this subsection that person commits a Class E crime for which a minimum fine of $50 and an amount equal to twice the applicable license fee must be imposed.

2.__Issuance; eligibility.__The commissioner shall issue to an eligible person a license to hunt deer with an unconventional weapon during any open season on deer.__A license issued pursuant to this section is valid for only one type of unconventional weapon and must specify that type of weapon on the license.

3. Eligibility.__A person is eligible for a license to hunt deer with an unconventional weapon if that person: