Notwithstanding section 7371, subsection 3, a person may assist in a hunt without a license or permit for that activity as long as that person does not carry hunting equipment or engage in driving deer as described in section 7458, subsection 10.

Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §7102-A, sub-§6, śC, as amended by PL 2001, c. 387, §9, is further amended to read:

C. The commissioner shall by rule establish a special archery season beginning at least 30 days prior and extending to the beginning of the regular deer hunting season, as described in section 7457, subsection 1, paragraph A, for the purpose of hunting deer with bow and arrow only. During the special archery season on deer, the following restrictions apply.

(1) Deer may be taken only by means of a hand-held bow and broadhead arrow:

(a) Bows must have a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds; and

(b) Arrowheads, including mechanical broadheads when open, must be at least 7/8 inch in width.

(2) A person may not carry firearms of any kind while hunting any species of wildlife with bow and arrow during the special archery season on deer, except that any person who holds a license that allows hunting with firearms may carry a handgun.

(3) If a person takes a deer with bow and arrow during the special archery season on deer, that person is precluded from further hunting for deer during that year.

(4) Except as provided in this subsection, the provisions of chapters 701 to 721 concerning deer are applicable to the taking of deer with bow and arrow, including the transportation, registration and possession of deer taken by this method.

Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §7406, sub-§5, as amended by PL 1991, c. 443, §23, is further amended to read:

5. Night hunting. A Except as otherwise provided in this Part, a person is guilty of night hunting if that person may not: