(a) Upon the conviction of any person who takes moose or bear in violation of this part, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall suspend such person’s hunting license for a period of not less than one year and such person shall, for a first offense, be fined not less than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned not more than ninety days or both. For a second violation, the commissioner shall suspend such person’s hunting license for a period of not less than two years, and such person shall be fined not less than seven hundred fifty dollars or be imprisoned not more than one hundred twenty days, or both. For a third or subsequent offense, the commissioner shall permanently revoke such person’s hunting license, and such person shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned not more than one hundred eighty days, or both.

      (b) Nothing in this section shall prevent the commissioner from designating an open season on the hunting of moose and bear pursuant to this part.