An Act To Expand Moose Hunting Opportunities
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10263, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 370, §2, is amended to read:
§ 10263. Moose Research and Management Fund
The Moose Research and Management Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established within the department as a nonlapsing fund to be used by the commissioner to fund or assist in funding the research and the management of moose , including addressing moose health issues and overbrowsing of land, and to promote and market moose hunting. One hundred dollars from each nonresident or alien moose hunting permit issued under section 11154, subsection 3 must be deposited in the fund. In addition, up to $25,000 may be deposited in the fund from Twenty-five percent of all the revenues generated by moose hunting application and permit fees to carry out the department's documented moose research must be deposited in the fund. The commissioner may accept and deposit into the fund monetary gifts, donations or other contributions from public or private sources for the purposes specified in this section. The fund must be held separate and apart from all other money, funds and accounts.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §11154, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §11154, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2011, c. 370, §6, is further amended to read:
(1) Fifteen dollars for a one-chance application; or
(1) Fifteen dollars for a one-chance application;
(2) Twenty-five dollars for a 3-chance application;
(3) Thirty-five dollars for a 6-chance application; and
(4) Fifty-five dollars for a 10-chance application; multiple 10-chance options may be purchased.
A clerk or agent appointed by the commissioner under section 10801 may process an application under this subsection. The clerk or agent shall charge a fee of $2 for each application under this subsection processed by that clerk or agent.
The commissioner shall allow an applicant to indicate that that applicant does not want to receive a moose permit pursuant to the application but wishes to receive the corresponding points under subsection 8 for that application.
Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §11154, sub-§8, as repealed and replaced by PL 2011, c. 370, §8, is repealed.
Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §11154, sub-§9, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
(1) Ten percent of the moose hunting permits are available to licensed guides and persons associated with commercial sporting camps in accordance with paragraph B;
(2) Fifteen percent of the moose hunting permits are available to nonresidents and aliens; and
(3) The remaining moose hunting permits are available to residents.
Rules adopted under this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 6. 12 MRSA §11552, sub-§2, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:
Sec. 7. 12 MRSA §11552, sub-§3 is enacted to read:
(1) For the 2014 hunting season, the commissioner shall issue a number of permits for each wildlife management district that equals the number of permits issued for that district in 2013 plus 1/3 of the target permit number increase.
(2) For the 2015 hunting season, the commissioner shall issue a number of permits for each wildlife management district that equals the number of permits issued for that district in 2013 plus 2/3 of the target permit number increase.
(3) For the 2016 hunting season and subsequent hunting seasons, the commissioner shall issue a number of permits for each wildlife management district that equals the number of permits issued for that district in 2013 plus the target permit number increase.
summary
This bill:
1. Increases the number of moose hunting permits issued by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife based on the latest moose population estimate. It provides that the increase is phased in over 3 years;
2. Changes the system for issuing moose permits from the current chance lottery system to a drawing in which persons who apply over a number of consecutive years may be guaranteed to receive a permit. It sets aside 15% of the permits for nonresidents and aliens. Ten percent of the permits must be auctioned to licensed guides and persons associated with sporting camps. The remainder of the permits are available to Maine residents; and
3. Provides that 25% of the revenues from the moose hunting application and permit system is deposited in the Moose Research and Management Fund and modifies the purposes of the fund to include addressing moose health issues and overbrowsing of land and promoting and marketing moose hunting.