(7)__A landowner's allowing Sunday hunting on that landowner's property without meeting the requirements described in section 7406, subsection 20, paragraph D;

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §7901-A, sub-§7, ¶F is enacted to read:

F.__The following violation is a Class E crime for which the court shall impose a fine of not less than $75, none of which may be suspended:

(1)__Knowingly hunting on Sunday on land that has not been authorized by the commissioner to be open for Sunday hunting pursuant to section 7406, subsection 20, paragraph D.

Sec. 4. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2004.

Sec. 5. Repeal. This Act is repealed January 1, 2006.

SUMMARY

This bill allows the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to authorize a private landowner owning a continuous piece of property that is greater than 500 acres and located entirely within unorganized territory to open that property on Sunday to hunters who have permits to hunt on Sunday. The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife may not authorize private property for Sunday hunting if the property owner does not keep that property open to hunting by the public. The commissioner may issue Sunday hunting permits to hunt rabbit and grouse on authorized private property during the regular open season. The commissioner may not authorize private property for Sunday hunting if that property adjoins certain public property. The fee for a Sunday hunting permit is $15.

The bill also sets an effective date of January 1, 2004 and a repeal date of January 1, 2006.