An Act To Amend the Process for Distributing Any-deer Permits

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §11152, sub-§1-B  is enacted to read:

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §11152, sub-§9  is enacted to read:

Sec. 3. Rules. The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall adopt rules no later than November 1, 2017 that establish a public chance drawing to determine which applicants are issued an antlerless deer permit pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 11152, subsection 1-B.

summary

This bill requires the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, if antlerless deer permits are issued, to issue antlerless deer permits to applicants who are chosen through a public chance drawing. The commissioner is required to adopt rules by November 1, 2017 establishing a public chance drawing for antlerless deer permits, including provisions for awarding to applicants who are not selected for a permit points that increase the applicants' chances of being selected in a subsequent consecutive year.

The bill requires the commissioner to issue antlerless deer permits to veterans, who are not required to participate in the public chance drawing. The number of permits issued to veterans is determined by the commissioner annually based upon the deer population.