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MaineLD 95132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Amend and Simplify Certain Wildlife Laws

Sponsored By: Sally Cluchey (Democratic)

Became Law

HUNTINGHUNTING - BOW AND ARROW

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Lifetime outdoor licenses for seniors, vets, tribes, disabled

Residents 70 and older can buy a lifetime hunting license for a one-time $8. It covers all hunting privileges and lets you renew a guide license for free. Paraplegic residents and qualifying nonresidents, and disabled veterans with a 50%+ service‑connected disability, get free lifetime hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses. Enrolled members of the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot Nation, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and Mi’kmaq Nation get free lifetime hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses and are exempt from trapper, bear‑trapping, and archery hunter education. If you qualify for the special expanded archery season, your lifetime license must include one antlerless deer permit and one either‑sex permit. Resident licenses stay valid while you remain a resident; nonresident benefits require reciprocity.

Low-cost junior hunting licenses, permits included

Maine residents under 16 can get a junior hunting license for $8. Nonresidents under 16 pay $35. Each junior license includes all required permits and stamps at no extra cost. A minor who hunts without the proper junior license commits a civil violation. If the junior qualifies for the special expanded archery season, the license includes one antlerless and one either‑sex deer permit.

Set deer season dates and youth days

The statewide open deer season runs each year from September 15 to December 20. If the regular season goes past November 30, it must start no later than the fourth Monday before Thanksgiving. The commissioner can, by rule and with town approval where needed, open closed areas, create special or expanded archery seasons, set limits and methods, set permit fees up to the legal cap, and create a two‑day youth deer hunt before opening day. Prior section 11402 is repealed as part of these updates.

Expanded archery: permits, fees, and limits

During the special expanded archery season, you must have a valid season permit to hunt deer. The commissioner can issue permits for this season. Permit fees are $32 for an either‑sex permit and $12 for an antlerless permit. Bag limits are up to three antlerless deer and one deer of either sex.

Stronger endangered species plans and privacy

Before introducing or reintroducing a threatened or endangered species, the commissioner must write a recovery plan, hold a public hearing, and send the plan to the Legislature’s wildlife committee. The state must wait at least 90 days after these steps to begin. Location details for endangered species are confidential and may be shared only with the landowner. In rare, extraordinary cases, the commissioner may allow regulated taking to relieve severe population pressure.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Sally Cluchey

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 333

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/12/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/11/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-609) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-609), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    6/11/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-609).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE in concurrence

    1/8/2025Senate

  8. Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/8/2025House

Bill Text

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