Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7457, sub-§1, ķA, as amended by PL 1999, c. 16, Pt. G, §5, is further amended to read:

A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, section 7102-B, or by rule adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section, there is an open season on deer in each calendar year in all counties of the State from the 5th Monday preceding Thanksgiving to November 30th. In any year when November 30th falls on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, the commissioner may, by rule, extend the open season on deer to the first Saturday in December. In any year in which the commissioner extends the season beyond November 30th, the commissioner shall by rule open the season in the northern portion of the State a week before opening the season in the southern portion of the State. The commissioner may by rule establish for this purpose a northern and a southern zone.

Notwithstanding the rule-making authority of the commissioner, the commissioner may not designate a resident- only opening day for deer and all hunters licensed under this chapter, regardless of residency, must be allowed to hunt on any day designated as opening day of open season for deer.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §7457, sub-§1, ķE, as amended by PL 1983, c. 271, is further amended to read:

E. The commissioner may shorten the open season on deer in any part of the State, provided that:

(1) The demarcation of the areas with the shortened season follow recognizable physical boundaries, such as rivers and railroad rights-of-way; and

(2) The determination is made and published prior to June 1st of any year; and.

(3) The Saturday preceding the first day of open season on deer shall be an open day for residents of this State only.

SUMMARY

This bill provides that opening day of deer season is for residents and nonresidents alike.