Sec. B-187. 12 MRSA §11951, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. D, §7, is amended to read:

§11951. Hunting hares and rabbits with dogs

A person may use a dog to hunt, or may be accompanied by a dog while hunting, wild hares or rabbits during the open firearm season on deer.

Sec. B-188. 12 MRSA §11952, sub-§2 is enacted to read:

2.__Penalty.__A person who violates subsection 1 commits a Class E crime.

Sec. B-189. 12 MRSA §11953 is enacted to read:

§11953.__Unlawful possession of wild hares or wild rabbits

1.__Unlawful possession; closed season.__A person may not possess a wild hare or rabbit taken during the closed season.

A.__A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

B.__A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.

2.__Unlawful possession; prohibited method or device.__A person may not possess a wild hare or wild rabbit taken by any method or with any device prohibited by section 11952, subsection 1 or section 12252, subsection 2, paragraph A, B or C.

A.__A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

B.__A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.

Sec. B-190. 12 MRSA §12001, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. D, §7, is amended to read: