Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §11301, sub-§1, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and amended by c. 655, Pt. B, §156 and affected by §422, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §11301, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:

1-A.__Bear baiting.__A person may not use bait to hunt or trap black bear, except for the protection of livestock, domestic animals, threatened or endangered wildlife, public or private property, public safety or commercial timberlands or for scientific or research purposes.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §11452, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:

B. Hunt from an observation stand or blind overlooking salt, grain, fruit, nuts or other foods known to be attractive to deer. This prohibition does not apply to hunting from an observation stand or blind overlooking:

(1) Standing crops;

(2) Foods that are left as a result of normal agricultural operations or as a result of a natural occurrence; or

(3) Bear bait that is placed at a bear hunting stand or blind in accordance with section 11301, subsection 1 1-A.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits bear baiting except when it is done to protect livestock, domestic animals, threatened or endangered wildlife, public or private property, public safety or commercial timberlands or for scientific or research purposes.