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An Act To Expand the Season for Night Hunting of Coyotes
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §11160, as corrected by RR 2011, c. 1, §17, is amended to read:
§ 11160.Coyote night hunting permit
 
1. Permit required.   Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part, a person may not hunt coyote at night unless that person has a valid permit issued under this section. A client of a guide licensed under chapter 927 who holds a valid permit issued under subsection 3, paragraph B may hunt coyotes at night without obtaining a permit under this section during the open season established in section 12001, subsection 1-A if the client is under the supervision of that guide. Each night a person violates this subsection that person commits a Class E crime for which a minimum fine of $50 and an amount equal to twice the applicable license fee must be imposed.
 
2. Eligibility; hunting license required.   A person who possesses a valid hunting license is eligible to obtain a permit from the commissioner to hunt coyotes at night, except that a permit may not be issued to a person who has been convicted of a violation of section 11206 within 5 years of the date of application for the permit. Eligibility for permits issued under this section is governed by this subsection.
 
A.  A person who possesses a valid hunting license is eligible to obtain a permit under subsection 3, paragraph A, except that a person is not eligible to obtain that permit if that person has been convicted of a violation of section 11206 within 5 years of the date of application for the permit.
 
B.  A person who possesses a valid hunting license is eligible to obtain a permit under subsection 3, paragraph B, except that a person is not eligible to obtain that permit if that person has been convicted of any violation under this Part within 5 years.
 
3. Permits.   The commissioner shall issue a permit to hunt coyotes at night to eligible persons at a fee of $4in accordance with this subsection.
 
A.  The commissioner shall issue a permit to hunt coyotes at night during the open season established in section 12001, subsection 1 to a person who is eligible to obtain a permit under subsection 2, paragraph A, for a fee of $4.
 
B.  The commissioner shall issue a permit to hunt coyotes at night during the open season established in section 12001, subsection 1-A to a person who is eligible to obtain a permit under subsection 2-B for a fee established by the commissioner by rule. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §12001, sub-§1-A  is enacted to read:
 
1-A.  Coyote hunting from September to December.     Notwithstanding the night hunting prohibitions in section 11206, there is an open season for hunting coyotes at night in all counties of the State from September 1st to December 15th. Hunting coyotes pursuant to this subsection must occur at fixed bait locations and under the supervision of a game warden in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a night hunting season for coyotes from September 1st to December 15th. Hunting coyotes at night during this season must be at fixed bait locations and under the supervision of a game warden. It allows a client of a licensed guide who holds a permit to participate in night hunting of coyotes during this season without obtaining a permit.