§11404. Muzzle-loading-only deer hunting season

1.  Muzzle-loading-only open season on deer.

[PL 2005, c. 280, §1 (RP).]

1-A.  Muzzle-loading-only open season on deer.  There is a special muzzle-loading open season on deer immediately following the regular deer hunting season established under section 11401, subsection 1, paragraph A for the purpose of hunting deer only with:

A. A muzzleloader as defined in section 10001, subsection 42-A that is 40 caliber or greater and capable of firing only a single charge;   [PL 2005, c. 280, §2 (NEW).]

B. A muzzle-loading shotgun as defined in section 10001, subsection 42-B; or   [PL 2005, c. 280, §2 (NEW).]

C. A traditional muzzleloader as defined in section 10001, subsection 62-A that uses projectiles that are 40 caliber or greater or that uses buckshot.   [PL 2005, c. 280, §2 (NEW).]

The commissioner may terminate this open season at any time in an area if, in the commissioner's opinion, an immediate emergency action is necessary due to adverse weather conditions or severe hunting pressure. The length of the special muzzle-loading season is as follows.

The commissioner shall establish by rule the length of the special muzzle-loading season. The commissioner may establish seasons of different lengths in different regions of the State. The season may extend for no more than 12 hunting days in any part of the State.

[PL 2005, c. 280, §2 (NEW).]

2.  Applicability of laws.  The following provisions apply during the muzzle-loading open season.

A. The commissioner's authority to regulate the harvest of antlerless deer under section 11152 is applicable during the muzzle-loading hunting season.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

B. Deer tags for the muzzle-loading open season must be issued for use in the same manner as regular deer tags.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

C. Except as provided in this section, the provisions of this Part relating to deer apply to the taking of deer with muzzle-loading firearms.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 614, §4 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 280, §§1,2 (AMD).