Resolve, To Open Wild Turkey Hunting in Wildlife Management District 27 for the 2013 Spring Turkey Hunting Season

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  an expanded wild turkey population is having a detrimental effect on early spring blueberry buds in Wildlife Management District 27, threatening the 2013 wild blueberry harvest; and

Whereas,  Wildlife Management District 27 consists of many coastal towns and coastal islands containing many of the State's blueberry barrens in Washington County and Hancock County; and

Whereas,  the wild blueberry industry is critically important to the Maine economy and the Downeast region in particular; and

Whereas,  a spring turkey hunting season in Wildlife Management District 27 would expand opportunities for hunters; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Wildlife Management District 27 open for 2013 spring turkey hunting season. Resolved: That, notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule, except as provided in this section, in 2013, an open spring season is established for the hunting of wild turkey within Wildlife Management District 27 as described in Chapter 4.00 of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife rules except for those areas closed to hunting described in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 12706, subsection 1. The season begins on April 29, 2013 and continues for 5 consecutive weeks until June 3, 2013. Chapter 4.06, Section 1, Paragraphs C, D, E and F of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife rules apply to the season in Wildlife Management District 27 established by this section.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.