Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7468, sub-§§3 and 5, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 95, §1, are amended to read:

3. Wild turkey season. On or after January 1, 1986, the The commissioner may establish open seasons on wild turkeys between May 1st and June 15th, within the wild turkey hunting zones, designate zones that are open to hunting wild turkeys and issue permits within those zones.

5. Eligibility. Any Maine resident, nonresident or alien who is eligible to obtain a Maine hunting license, or who will be eligible to obtain a Maine hunting license by the opening day of the wild turkey hunting season, is eligible to apply for a wild turkey hunting permit.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §7468, sub-§12, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 95, §1, is amended to read:

12. Authority of the commissioner. The commissioner may establish open hunting season dates on wild turkeys, issue applications for wild turkey hunting permits, set the number of permits to be issued, establish wild turkey hunting zones, issue permits, establish provisions giving special consideration to landowners who keep their lands open to hunting by the public and make all rules which he the commissioner considers necessary for the protection of the wild turkey resource.

SUMMARY

This bill repeals the specified dates for the State's wild turkey hunting season, instead allowing the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish an open season. In addition, it clarifies the law pertaining to eligibility to apply for permits to be consistent with moose permit applicants as well as giving the commissioner the authority to give special consideration to landowners, such as establishing a landowner permit drawing by rule.