Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7451, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1993, c. 167, §1, is further amended to read:

1. Open and closed season.

A. There is an open season on hunting bear from the first Monday preceding September 1st to November 30th annually. The commissioner may, pursuant to section 7035, subsection 1, adopt rules prohibiting the use of bait to hunt black bear during any portion of the open bear hunting season.

B. There shall be is an open season on trapping bear from September 1st to October 31st annually.

C. There shall be an open season on using a dog or dogs in conjunction with bear hunting from the first Monday preceding September 1st, to the day preceding the open firearm season on deer provided in section 7457, subsection 1.

D. The commissioner may shorten the open seasons on bear as established in paragraphs A, and B and C in any part of the State provided that:

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

(2) The decision is made and published prior to February 1st of any year.

E. The commissioner may terminate the open season on bear as established in paragraph paragraphs A, and B and C at any time in any part of the State, if, in his the commissioner's opinion, an immediate emergency action is necessary due to adverse weather conditions or severe hunting or trapping pressure.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §7451, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1997, c. 432, §42, is repealed.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §7452, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 420, §1, is amended to read:

1. Unlawfully hunting bear with dogs. A person is guilty of unlawfully hunting bear with dogs if he, while either hunting alone or hunting with other persons, that person uses more than 4 dogs at any one time a dog or dogs to hunt bear.