Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7468, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1999, c. 323, §2 and affected by §3, is further amended to read:

4. Hunting permits. The commissioner may establish the number of wild turkey permits for each wild turkey hunting zone and may issue those permits annually. The percentage of total wild turkey permits issued to nonresident and alien hunters may not exceed the average percentage of applicants for wild turkey permits over the previous 3 years who were nonresidents and aliens and may not be more than 10% of the total wild turkey permits issued statewide. A person whose application is selected may obtain a wild turkey hunting permit upon presentation of proof that the person possesses:

A. A valid Maine hunting license, if the person is a resident of the State; or

B. A valid Maine big game hunting license, if the person is a nonresident or alien.

An adult who holds a valid wild turkey permit may transfer the permit to a junior hunter or person 65 years of age or older by identifying the name, age and address of the transferee on the permit as well as any other information reasonably requested by the commissioner and then return the permit to the department prior to the start of the turkey season.__The commissioner shall record the transfer and return the permit to the junior hunter or person 65 years of age or older.__A valid permit must be in the possession of the transferee to hunt turkey.__If the adult transfers the permit to the junior hunter or person 65 years of age or older, that adult is prohibited from hunting turkey.

SUMMARY

This bill allows a juvenile or person 65 years of age or older to hunt turkey if an adult holding a valid turkey permit transfers the permit to the juvenile or person 65 years of age or older.