Sec. A-7. 12 MRSA §7451, sub-§1, ¶B, as repealed and replaced by PL 1981, c. 224, §1, is repealed.

Sec. A-8. 12 MRSA §7451, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 1989, c. 493, §29, is repealed.

Sec. A-9. 12 MRSA §7451, sub-§1, ¶D, as amended by PL 1989, c. 913, Pt. A, §7, is further amended to read:

D. The commissioner may shorten the open seasons season on bear as established in paragraphs paragraph A, B and C in any part of the State provided that:

(1) The demarcation of the areas with a shortened season follows recognizable physical boundaries such as rivers and railroad rights-of-way; and

(2) The decision is made and published prior to February 1st of any year.

Sec. A-10. 12 MRSA §7451, sub-§1, ¶E, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 224, §1, is amended to read:

E. The commissioner may terminate the open season on bear as established in paragraph A, B and C at any time in any part of the State, if, in his the commissioner's opinion, an immediate emergency action is necessary due to adverse weather conditions or severe hunting or trapping pressure.

Sec. A-11. 12 MRSA §7451, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2003, c. 333, §11, is repealed.

Sec. A-12. 12 MRSA §7451, sub-§3-A is enacted to read:

3-A.__Placing of bear bait prohibited.__Bait, including, but not limited to, doughnuts and other pastries, grease, meat, fruits, vegetables, honey and any other food known to be attractive to bear, may not be used to hunt or attract bear.__ Such use of bait is unlawful unless:

A.__The bait is used by state or federal employees, acting in their official capacity, to attract a specific offending animal for purposes of protecting livestock, domestic animals, threatened or endangered wildlife, public or private property or public safety;