Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §11305 is enacted to read:

§11305.__Permit to dispatch wounded bear

1.__Issuance.__The commissioner may issue a permit to dispatch wounded bear to a person licensed to guide hunters under section 12853.

2.__Restrictions.__Notwithstanding section 11205, subsection 1, paragraph A and section 11206, subsection 1, paragraph A, a licensed guide who holds a valid permit to dispatch wounded bear may carry a firearm at night or on Sunday for the sole purpose of dispatching a bear that has been wounded by that guide's client.__ A guide pursuing a wounded bear under this subsection may use a dog on a leash to help locate the bear without the need to be licensed under section 11109, subsection 3, paragraph N.

3.__Fee.__The commissioner may charge a transaction fee of up to $5 to cover the administrative costs of issuing a permit to dispatch wounded bear.

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to issue permits to licensed guides to dispatch wounded bear. The bill also authorizes the commissioner to charge a $5 fee to cover the administrative costs of issuing a permit.