§ 12 §11701 — Authority of commissioner; wild turkey hunting

The commissioner may establish open seasons for hunting wild turkeys, designate areas that are open to the taking of wild turkeys in any part of the State, prescribe the form and regulate the number of permits to be issued, determine the number and sex of the birds to be harvested, establish bag limits, establish permit eligibility requirements, establish legal hunting times, specify the types of weapons to be used during any open wild turkey hunting season and make any other rules that the commissioner considers necessary for the protection of the wild turkey resource. The rules must permit the use of a crossbow during an open season for hunting wild turkey as established by the commissioner.
1.
Spring season.
2.
Fall seasons.
3.
Youth day.
The commissioner shall establish by rule a spring youth hunting day for hunting wild turkeys from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The day must be the Saturday prior to the opening of the first open season for hunting wild turkeys established by the commissioner in that year.
A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime for which the court shall impose a fine of not less than $500, none of which may be suspended. The court also shall impose a fine of $500 for each turkey unlawfully possessed, none of which may be suspended.

Legislative History

PL 2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 552, §9 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 552, §15 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 655, §B179 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 655, §§B422,C2,6 (AFF). PL 2013, c. 236, §6 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 387, §3 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 127, §6 (AFF). PL 2015, c. 127, §§4, 5 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 85, §3 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 98, §2 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 599, §13 (AMD).