Sec. 7. 12 MRSA §7107-A, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 47, §1, is amended to read:

B. Any person 10 years of age or older and under 16 years of age may obtain a muzzle-loading license from the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized agent, provided that the person possesses a valid junior hunting does not require a license.

Sec. 8. 12 MRSA §7133, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 729, §2, is repealed.

Sec. 9. 12 MRSA §7133, sub-§3, ¶C, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 123, §1, is repealed.

Sec. 10. 12 MRSA §7133, sub-§5, ¶D, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 493, §17, is amended to read:

D. Any person over 10 years of age and under 16 years of age who holds a junior trapping license shall must be accompanied by an adult at all times while trapping, unless the holder of the junior trapping license minor submits proof of having successfully completed an education course of the type described in subsection 8.

Sec. 11. 12 MRSA §7133, sub-§7, as amended by PL 1987, c. 317, §9, is further amended to read:

7. Successful completion of trapper evaluation program required for license. Any person who applies for a state license to trap other than a junior license shall submit proof of having successfully completed an education course of the type described in subsection 8 or satisfactory evidence of having previously held an adult license to trap in this State or any other state, province or country in any year beginning with 1978.

When proof or evidence cannot otherwise be provided, the person may substitute a signed affidavit that he the person has previously held the required adult trapping license or that he the person has successfully completed the required trapper education course.

The provisions of this subsection shall take effect July 1, 1988.

Sec. 12. 12 MRSA §7151, sub-§1, ¶¶B and C, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 420, §1, are amended to read:

B. Any nonresident 12 16 years of age or older is eligible to purchase a nonresident fishing license. b! 1979, c. 420, @1 (new). ?b

C. Any resident or nonresident under 16 years of age and any nonresident under 12 years of age may fish without a license.

Sec. 13. 12 MRSA §7151, sub-§5, ¶D, as repealed and replaced by PL 1993, c. 419, §13, is repealed.

Sec. 14. 12 MRSA §7406, sub-§21, as amended by PL 1999, c. 134, §3, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

21.__Allowing a child under 16 years of age to hunt without adult supervision.__A person is guilty of allowing a child under 16 years of age to hunt without adult supervision if that person who is the adult supervisor, parent or guardian of a child under 16 years of age allows that child to hunt other than in the presence of, and under the supervision of, an adult as provided in section 7101, subsection 7-A.

SUMMARY

This bill eliminates all references to junior hunting licenses and allows children under 16 years of age to hunt without a license, in the presence of an adult.