This is a Preview of Maine Hunting Regulations.
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These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
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Maine State Hunting Regulations Preview
Several pieces of legislation that affect
the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife statutes
were signed into law by Governor
Baldacci during the 1st Regular Session
of the 124th Legislature. Below is a
summary of the changes affecting hunting
and trapping.
(Public Law Chapter 340) An Act To
Amend Certain Provisions of Fish
and Wildlife Law - Effective June 10,
2009. This law makes several changes
as follows:
Clarifies that a person selected to
receive a moose permit may not then
purchase an apprentice hunting license
to satisfy the licensing requirements;
Amends the definition of "building" for
purposes of the prohibition against
discharging a firearm or crossbow within
100 yards of a building to clarify that it
includes a building that is designed to
be occupied by people or domesticated
animals;
Prohibits a person from carrying a
firearm during the open trapping season
for the purpose of dispatching trapped
animals if they are prohibited from
possessing a firearm under the Maine
Revised Statutes, Title 15, Section 393
(Felon law) and have not obtained a
valid permit to carry a firearm;
(Public Law Chapter 186) An Act To
Allow Authorized Agents to Process
Moose Hunting Lottery Applications
and Antlerless Deer Permit Applications
- Effective May 21, 2009. IF&W
agents are now authorized to process
applications online for moose and antlerless
deer permits – they may charge
a fee of $2.
(Public Law Chapter 46) An Act To
Change the Coyote Night Hunting
Season - Effective September 12, 2009.
This law changes the beginning of the
open season on night hunting from Jan.
1st to December 16th, remaining open
until June 1st.
(Public Law Chapter 69) An Act To
Clarify Hunting and Trapping Law for
Youth - Effective September 12, 2009.
Parent or guardian responsible for junior
hunters and trappers. This law change
makes the adult supervisor, parent or
guardian of a holder of a valid junior
hunting license responsible if that junior
hunter violates any provision of the fish
and wildlife laws pertaining to hunting
and trapping. This bill also makes it
clear that a resident under 10 years of
age may trap all legal species, except
bear, without a license.
(Public Law Chapter 76) An Act to
Extend the Season for Training
Hunting Dogs
This law makes several changes to the
dog training season: 1) persons engaging
in training activities must possess
a valid hunting license; 2) it extends
the training season for bear hounds by
one month (starting July 1st rather than
August 1st) and 3) allows up to six dogs
to be trained at one time. This law is in
effect from July 1, 2009 until June 30,
2010 at which time it will be revisited.
(Public Law Chapter 70) An Act Regarding
the Placement of Bait to Attract
Wild Animals or Birds for Hunting
- Effective September 12, 2009.
This bill enacts a new section of law
dealing with placing bait by establishing
definitions for “bait” – an animal or plant
or a part of an animal or plant used to
attract wild animals for the purpose of
hunting and does not include: a derivative
of an animal or plant in a liquid or
paste form, including but not limited to,
urine or commercially prepared lures or
scents or packaging or container materials
that fall within the definition of litter
under state law, and “bait site” – the
place where the bait has been placed
and the immediate surrounding area.
Bait sites must be plainly labeled with a
2-inch by 4-inch tag identifying the name
and address of the person establishing
the bait site; a person may not hunt at a
bait site established by another person
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NEW LAWS
without permission from the person that
established the bait site. Bait sites must
be cleaned up immediately after the
landowner requests the removal or, if not
requested by the landowner, within 20
days from the last day the bait site was
hunted over. A person establishing a bait
site is subject to the litter laws. This new
section does not apply to bear baiting or
placing bait on the ice of inland waters.
(Public Law Chapter 390) An Act to
Amend the Laws Governing Alien Big
Game and Turkey Hunters - Effective
September 12, 2009. This is a change
to the law that was enacted last year requiring
guides for alien hunters for bear,
deer and moose has been amended
as follows: An alien resident of the
Canadian province of New Brunswick or
Quebec may not hunt big game or Wild
Turkey without being accompanied by a
person who holds a valid guide license,
unless they own or lease land in the
State; is current on property taxes assessed
for the land owned in the State;
keeps property owned or leased in the
State open for hunting by the public, and
while hunting big game or Wild Turkey,
possesses written authorization from the
Commissioner to hunt big game without
a guide. When applying for a license to
hunt big game or Wild Turkey, documentation
of the above must be provided
and, if satisfactory, written authorization
will be provided to the alien and that
alien’s family members who hold valid
licenses.
This law also changed the number of
clients that can be with a resident Maine
guide hunting bears with dogs from 3 to
5. Current law provided that a nonresident
could not hunt bear with the use of
dogs unless they employ and hunt with
a resident Maine guide. Prior to this law
change, guides were limited to 3 clients
when hunting for bear with dogs.
(Public Law C. 213) State Budget
- Effective May 29, 2009 had several
changes affecting licensing and registrations
including a fee increase that takes
effect for 2010 license sales. Also
included is a combined Spring and Fall
Turkey Permit which allows the taking of
one male wild turkey in the spring and
one wild turkey in the fall. The fee for
the combined permit is $20 for residents
and $54 for nonresidents and aliens.
The holder of a combined fall and spring
permit will be eligible to purchase a 2nd
spring wild turkey permit that allows the
taking of one additional male wild turkey
at a cost of $20 for residents, nonresidents
and aliens. This takes effect for
the 2010 season.
A change was made to junior hunting
licenses for residents. In 2010, the junior
license will include all permits, stamps
and other permissions needed to hunt at
no additional cost (except for permits issued
in a lottery system, currently moose
and antlerless deer).
NEW RULE: IN WMD’s WHERE NO
ANTLERLESS DEER PERMITS ARE
ISSUED, archers and youth hunters, are
restricted to bucks only.
HUNTING HIGHLIGHTS
DISTURBING TRAPS - It is illegal to
take or disturb any trap, or any wild
animal which is caught in a trap, without
permission of the owner of the trap. If
you are convicted of disturbing traps,
in addition to any fine or jail time you
receive, you will lose all your trapping,
hunting, and fishing privileges for at
least three years.
HARASSMENT OF HUNTERS AND
TRAPPERS: It is illegal for any person to
willfully interfere with the lawful hunting
and trapping of any wild animal or wild
bird, including the willful disturbance of
wild animals or wild birds with intent to
interfere with their lawful taking. (Note:
This law does not limit the ownership,
use, access, or control of property rights
otherwise provided by law).
10
HUNTING HIGHLIGHTS
TREE STANDS: (10652, Subsection
1-B-1, 2) It is unlawful to insert any
metallic or ceramic object into a tree
on land of another for the purpose
of erecting a ladder or tree stand,
unless you have permission from the
landowner. You must obtain verbal or
written permission of the landowner
(or representative) to erect and use a
portable or permanent tree ladder or
stand and the ladder or stand must be
plainly labeled with a 2-inch by 4-inch
tag identifying the name and address
of the person or persons authorized
by the landowner to use the stand
or ladder. (Exception: Portable tree
stands or ladders used on land within
the jurisdiction of the Maine Land Use
Regulation Commission and attended
by the person who owns the ladder
or stand shall not require landowner
permission or labeling, but permanent
ones do. (Note: For additional information
on the use of private property,
see pages 38-39.)
SUNDAY HUNTING is illegal in
Maine.
DISPOSAL OF REMAINS: It is
unlawful, except during normal field
dressing or for baiting purposes,
to drop, deposit, discard, dump or
otherwise dispose of the carcass,
waste parts or remains of a wild
animal, unless you are on private
property owned by you, or in a legally
designated area.
CONDITIONS ON THE USE OF
CROSSBOWS: The following conditions
apply to the use of crossbows:
1) Only crossbows with a shouldertype
stock may be used; hand-held
pistol-type crossbows are prohibited;
2) the draw weight may not be less
than 100 pounds nor more than 200
pounds; 3) arrowheads, including
mechanical broadheads when open,
must be at least 7/8 inch in width; 4)
arrows having explosive or poisonous
tips are prohibited; 5) crossbows
must be equipped with a mechanical
APPRENTICE HUNTERS LICENSE: A
new license is available for first time hunters.
This license may only be held once
and is intended to introduce a person to
hunting for the first time. A person holding
this license may not hunt other than in the
presence of a supervising person at least
18 years of age who has held a valid Maine
hunting license for the prior 5 consecutive
years. The supervisor is responsible for
ensuring that the holder of an apprentice
license follows safe hunting protocol as well
as all hunting laws. For more information
contact IF&W office at (207) 287-8000.
Available apprentice licenses: 2009 2010
Resident Hunting*.............................. $21 $25
Resident Crossbow........................... $25 $25
Resident Archery............................... $21 $25
Nonresident Big Game*................... $102 $114
Nonresident Small Game.................. $67 $74
Nonresident Crossbow...................... $48 $55
Nonresident Archery.......................... $62 $74
*includes bear and turkey permits
This license may not be used by a person
selected to receive a moose permit.
trigger safety device in working condition;
6) crossbows equipped with scopes or
sights may be used. (See page 22). 7) A
crossbow permit is required.
LEASHED DOG TRACKING LICENSE: A
license is available which allows the tracking
of wounded deer, moose, and bear with
dogs. The fee for this license is $27. The
fee for a 3-year license is $81. A person
who holds a valid license may charge a fee
for dog tracking services without having
to hold a guides license as long as that
is the only service provided. Contact the
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
for details.
WASTE OF GAME: A person may not
waste a wild bird or wild animal that has
been wounded or killed while hunting. For
purposes of this section “waste” means
to intentionally leave a wounded or killed
animal in the field or forest without making
a reasonable effort to retrieve and render it
for consumption or use.
11
2009 HUNTING SEASONS
All dates are inclusive except that hunting is prohibited on Sunday.
DEER (See pages 17 & 19 for information regarding antlerless deer)
Expanded Archery (limited area/ permit required)................................... Sept. 12 - Dec. 12
Regular Archery (Statewide).......................................................................Oct. 1 - Oct. 30
Firearms (allows use of bow and arrow, crossbows*, firearms, or muzzleloaders)
Maine Residents Only...............................................................................................Oct. 31
All Hunters...................................................................................................Nov. 2 - Nov. 28
Youth Deer Hunting Day ...............................................................................................Oct. 24
Muzzleloader
Week 1: All Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) *see page 41.........Nov. 30 - Dec. 5
Week 2: WMDs 12, 13, 15 through 18, 20 through 26, 29........................ Dec. 7 - Dec. 12
BEAR General Hunting Season ..................................................................Aug. 31 - Nov. 28
Hunting With Dogs.................................................................................. Sept. 14 - Oct. 30
Hunting With Bait (See pages 25-26)..................................................... Aug. 31 - Sept. 26
MOOSE (Permit Hunt — see page 17)
WMDs 1 through 6, 11,19.....................................................................................Sept. 28 - Oct. 3
WMDs 1 through 14, 17,18,19, 27, 28..................................................................Oct 12 - Oct. 17
WMDs 15, 16, 23, 26.............................................................................................Nov. 2 - Nov. 28
WMDs 15, 16, 23, 26 Maine Resident Permit Holders Only..............................................Oct. 31
SPRING WILD TURKEY
Youth Spring Wild Turkey........................................................................................... May 2
WMD’s 7, 10 through 18 & 20 through 26.................................................... May 4 - June 6
FALL WILD TURKEY
Fall Archery Hunt Zone 1: WMDs 15, 16, 17, 20, 24, 25, 26....................Oct. 10 - Oct. 24
Zone 2: WMDs 21, 22, 23.............................................Oct.. 1 - Oct. 30
Shotgun Hunt Zone 3: WMDs 15, 16, 17, 20 through 25...........................Oct. 17 - Oct. 23
PHEASANT*, RUFFED GROUSE (PARTRIDGE) & BOBWHITE QUAIL .... Oct. 1 – Dec. 31
*In York and Cumberland Counties, a permit is required to hunt or possess pheasant.
CROW (Split season) Plugged shotguns only, see page 30, number 2.
WMDs 1 through 6:................................................Feb. 15 – Apr. 15 and Aug. 1 - Sept. 30
WMDs 7 through 29:............................................... Feb. 1 – Mar. 31 and Aug. 1 - Sept. 30
GRAY SQUIRREL .......................................................................................... Oct. 1 - Dec. 31
FALCONRY GRAY SQUIRREL...................................................................... Oct. 1 - Feb. 28
SNOWSHOE HARE ...................................................................................... Oct. 1 - Mar. 31
Season on Island of Vinalhaven.................................................................. Oct .1 - Feb. 28
BOBCAT ....................................................................................................... Dec. 1 - Feb. 14
FOX .............................................................................................................. Oct. 19 - Feb. 28
RACCOON ..................................................................................................... Oct. 1 - Dec. 31
SKUNK & OPOSSUM .................................................................................. Oct. 19 - Dec. 31
COYOTE night hunting (see page 16)............................................................Dec. 16 - June 1
COYOTE during daylight hunting hours..........................................................Jan. 1 - Dec. 31
WOODCHUCK, RED SQUIRREL, & PORCUPINE ..................No closed season for hunting
SPRUCE GROUSE, LYNX, COTTONTAIL RABBIT ..............................NO OPEN SEASON
WOODCOCK, WATERFOWL, SNIPE, GALLINULES, RAILS — Season dates are set
according to federal framework and are listed in the Migratory Game Bird Schedule published in
September. A Migratory Waterfowl Permit IS NOT required to hunt woodcock, snipe, gallinule,
rails, or crow.
* See Pages 10 and 22 for information on the use of crossbows.
2010 HUNTING SEASONS
All dates are inclusive except that hunting is prohibited on Sunday.
DEER (See pages 17 & 19 for information regarding antlerless deer)
Expanded Archery (limited area/ permit required)....................................Sept. 11 - Dec. 11
Regular Archery (Statewide)................................................................... Sept. 30 - Oct. 29
Firearms (allows use of bow and arrow, crossbows*, firearms, or muzzleloaders)
Maine Residents Only...............................................................................................Oct. 30
All Hunters...................................................................................................Nov. 1 - Nov. 27
Youth Deer Hunting Day ...............................................................................................Oct. 23
Muzzleloader
Week 1: All Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) *see page 41.........Nov. 29 - Dec. 4
Week 2: WMDs 12, 13, 15 through 18, 20 through 26, 29.........................Dec. 6 - Dec. 11
BEAR General Hunting Season ..................................................................Aug. 30 - Nov. 27
Hunting With Dogs.................................................................................. Sept. 13 - Oct. 29
Hunting With Bait (See pages 25-26)..................................................... Aug. 30 - Sept. 25
MOOSE (Permit Hunt — see page 17)
WMDs 1 through 6, 11,19.....................................................................................Sept. 27 - Oct. 2
WMDs 1 through 14, 17,18,19, 27, 28.................................................................Oct. 11 - Oct. 16
WMDs 15, 16, 23, 26.............................................................................................Nov. 1 - Nov. 27
WMDs 15, 16, 23, 26 Maine Resident Permit Holders Only..............................................Oct. 30
SPRING WILD TURKEY
Youth Spring Wild Turkey......................................................................... To be determined
WMD’s 7, 10 through 18 & 20 through 26................................................ To be determined
FALL WILD TURKEY
Fall Archery Hunt Zone 1: WMDs 15, 16, 17, 20, 24, 25, 26......................Oct. 9 - Oct. 23
Zone 2: WMDs 21, 22, 23..........................................Sept. 30 - Oct. 29
Shotgun Hunt Zone 3: WMDs 15, 16, 17, 20 through 25...........................Oct. 16 - Oct. 22
PHEASANT*, RUFFED GROUSE (PARTRIDGE) & BOBWHITE QUAIL .... Oct. 1 – Dec. 31
*In York and Cumberland Counties, a permit is required to hunt or possess pheasant.
CROW (Split season) Plugged shotguns only, see page 30, number 2.
WMDs 1 through 6:................................................Feb. 15 – Apr. 15 and Aug. 1 - Sept. 30
WMDs 7 through 29:............................................... Feb. 1 – Mar. 31 and Aug. 1 - Sept. 30
GRAY SQUIRREL .......................................................................................... Oct. 1 - Dec. 31
FALCONRY GRAY SQUIRREL...................................................................... Oct. 1 - Feb. 28
SNOWSHOE HARE ...................................................................................... Oct. 1 - Mar. 31
Season on Island of Vinalhaven.................................................................. Oct .1 - Feb. 28
BOBCAT ....................................................................................................... Dec. 1 - Feb. 14
FOX .............................................................................................................. Oct. 18 - Feb. 28
RACCOON ..................................................................................................... Oct. 1 - Dec. 31
SKUNK & OPOSSUM .................................................................................. Oct. 18 - Dec. 31
COYOTE night hunting (see page 16)............................................................Dec. 16 - June 1
COYOTE during daylight hunting hours..........................................................Jan. 1 - Dec. 31
WOODCHUCK, RED SQUIRREL, & PORCUPINE ..................No closed season for hunting
SPRUCE GROUSE, LYNX, COTTONTAIL RABBIT ..............................NO OPEN SEASON
WOODCOCK, WATERFOWL, SNIPE, GALLINULES, RAILS — Season dates are set
according to federal framework and are listed in the Migratory Game Bird Schedule published in
September. A Migratory Waterfowl Permit IS NOT required to hunt woodcock, snipe, gallinule,
rails, or crow.
* See Pages 10 and 22 for information on the use of crossbows.
NOTE: Except for migratory game birds (defined on page 13), there is no
hunting season on any species of bird or animal which is not listed in the above chart.
13
GAME BAG LIMITS
Species Daily Bag Limit Possession Limit
DEER Only 1 may be taken annually — see exceptions (1) below
BEAR Only 1 may be taken annually — either hunting or trapping
RUFFED GROUSE (PARTRIDGE) 4 8
BOBWHITE QUAIL 4 8
PHEASANT 2 4
Wild Turkey (Spring hunt) One (1) bearded Wild Turkey per permit holder. See (2) below.
Wild Turkey (Fall hunt) One (1) Wild Turkey either sex, any age per permit holder (shotgun or bow).
SNOWSHOE HARE 4 8
GRAY SQUIRREL 4 8
MIGRATORY BIRDS (Ducks, Geese, etc.) See (3) below
OTHER LEGAL SPECIES No limit
(1) Additional deer may be taken by participants in the Expanded Archery Season
(see page 21), or by anyone possessing a bonus antlerless deer permit or
superpack antlerless deer permit.
(2) A second Spring male turkey permit may be obtained by holders of the combined
Spring/Fall permit for a fee of $20.
(3) Migratory bird hunting regulations are located in a separate publication which is
printed in September. The following shall be considered migratory game birds:
Anatidae or waterfowl, including brant, wild ducks, geese, and swans; Rallidae
or rails, including coots, gallinules, sora, and other rails; scolopacidae, snipe, or
woodcock; Columbidae or pigeons, including doves and wild pigeons.
This is a Preview to the Maine State Hunting Regulations.
For a Complete copy of the Maine Hunting Regulations Summary Guidebook Click Here
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