(a) The department may issue a permit authorizing access to public hunting land or for specific hunting, fishing, recreational, or other use of public hunting land or a wildlife management area. The commission by rule shall prescribe the conditions for the issuance and use of a permit under this section.
(a-1) Except as provided by this section, permits for hunting of wildlife or for any other use in wildlife management areas or public hunting lands shall be issued by the department to applicants by means of a fair method of distribution subject to limitations on the maximum number of permits to be issued.

(b) The department may implement a system of issuing special permits that gives preference to those applicants who have applied previously but were not selected to receive a permit.
(c) The department shall charge a permit fee in the amount set by the commission by rule. Revenue from permit fees for access to state parks must be deposited to the credit of the state parks account. Revenue from other permit fees under this section must be deposited to the game, fish, and water safety account.
(d) This subchapter does not exempt any person from compliance with hunting license laws.
(e) The department may authorize and accept multiple applications for special hunting permits, programs, packages, or events.