(1) The demarcation of the areas with the shortened season follows 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 is an open day for residents of the State only.

Sec. B-169. 12 MRSA §11402, sub-§4, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. D, §7, is amended to read:

B. Create special hunting seasons for the taking of deer in any part of the State to maintain deer populations in balance with available habitat, subject to the provisions of this paragraph.

(1) The demarcation of each area must follow recognizable physical boundaries, such as rivers, roads and railroad rights-of-way.

(2) The determination of these areas must be made and published prior to August 1st of each year.

(3) The commissioner may establish limits on the number of deer taken or possessed by persons during a special season. Limits established by the commissioner under this subparagraph are exceptions to the limits imposed under section 11501.

(4) The commissioner may specify types of weapons to be used during a special season; and

Sec. B-170. 12 MRSA §11403, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. D, §7, is amended to read:

2. Open archery season on deer. The commissioner shall by rule establish a special archery season beginning at least 30 days prior and extending to the beginning of the regular deer hunting season, as described in section 11401, subsection 1, paragraph A, for the purpose of hunting deer with bow and arrow only. During the special archery season on deer, the following restrictions apply.