The director may designate a deer wintering area on a parcel of land under the jurisdiction of the bureau. The designated area must contain high-quality deer wintering habitat with a documented history of significant use by deer. The bureau shall manage the designated area with deer conservation as the highest management priority and may also manage the designated area to benefit other wildlife species that rely on mature softwood forests. The director may designate a deer wintering area or remove the designation as a deer wintering area of a parcel of land under this section only pursuant to a habitat management agreement developed in collaboration with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. A designated area under this section is eligible for funds from the Maine Deer Management Fund under section 10264. The designation of a deer wintering area under this section does not preclude or discourage the department from managing another parcel of land to promote habitat for deer. The department and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall include a summary of additions or changes to deer wintering areas under this section in an annual report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters and to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture, conservation and forestry matters.   [PL 2023, c. 187, §1 (NEW).]