Title 12, Title 12

1. Hunting with archery equipment. Except as provided in section 11404, a person may hunt any wild bird or wild animal with archery equipment during any open season on that bird or animal if the person holds a valid archery hunting license. 2. Hunting with a crossbow; 70 years of…

The open season on upland game must include the last Saturday in September. The commissioner, by rule, shall determine the length of the open season on upland game. [PL 2023, c. 530, §1 (AMD); PL 2023, c. 530, §2 (AFF).] As used in this section, "upland game" means snowshoe hare,…

A resident or nonresident may apply for and the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized agent may issue a written license to hunt wild animals and wild birds.

A person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm under Title 15, section 393, subsection 1, 1‑A or 1‑B is ineligible to obtain or possess any license or permit issued by the department that authorizes a person to hunt with a firearm unless that person possesses a valid permit…

A person who is a mentally ill person, as defined in Title 34‑B, section 3801, or who has a mental deficiency or mental illness, as those terms are defined in Title 34‑B, section 9002, is ineligible to obtain a hunting license.

1. Hunter safety course requirements. Except as provided in subsection 2, a person who applies for a Maine license to hunt with firearms other than a junior license or an apprentice hunter license issued under section 11108‑B must submit proof of having successfully completed a h…

1. Age requirement. A person is eligible to obtain an archery hunting license as provided in this section. A. A resident or nonresident 16 years of age or older who has satisfied the requirements of subsection 2 or holds an apprenticeship hunter license, or who is exempt under su…

This section governs eligibility for hunting with a muzzle-loader. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] 1. Hunting license. A person 16 years of age or older at the beginning of the special season established under section 11404, subsection 1‑A may obtai…

1. On certain land. Notwithstanding section 11109, subsection 1 as it applies to this subchapter, and subject to all other applicable laws and rules, a resident and a member of the resident's immediate family, as long as the hunter's license to hunt is not under suspension or rev…

1. Apprentice supervisor required. A holder of an apprentice hunter license may not hunt other than in the presence of an apprentice supervisor. A. The following penalties apply to violations of this subsection. (1) A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation …

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Junior hunter supervisor" means: (1) The parent or guardian of the junior hunter who holds or has held a valid Maine hunting license or successful…

1. License required. Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part, a person may not engage in an activity for which a license may be issued under this section unless that person has a valid license issued under this section. An electronic license or permit fulfills the re…

Except as otherwise provided in this section, a super pack license includes all licenses and permits issued under this Part to hunt and fish all legal game and fish species, subject to the restrictions placed on the equivalent individual licenses or permits for those species. An …

1. Transfer permitted. A person who has been assigned a designated hunting area, zone or season by the department for purposes of hunting moose may exchange that designated zone, area or season with another person assigned a different hunting zone, area or season for purposes of …

1. Permit required. Except as provided in section 12862 or otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part, a person may not use a leashed dog to track a wounded animal without a valid permit issued pursuant to this section. For purposes of this section, "wounded animal" means a lawfu…

1. Permit required. Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part, a person may not hunt for bear without a valid permit during the open season on hunting bear established pursuant to section 11251. A person may hunt for bear without a valid permit during the open firearm …

1. Permit required. Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part or for a nonresident who holds a valid bear hunting permit under section 11151, a nonresident may not hunt for bear during the regular firearm season on deer under section 11401 without a valid permit issued…

1. Permit required. Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part, a person may not hunt antlerless deer as authorized in this section unless that person has a valid permit issued under this section or is hunting in an area that is designated by rule as open to the hunting…

1. Expanded archery season deer hunting permits; authority to issue; fees. The commissioner may implement a permit system to regulate hunter participation in the expanded archery season established by the commissioner pursuant to section 11401, subsection 2, paragraph B and the n…

1. Permit required. Except as otherwise provided in this Part, a person may not hunt or possess a moose unless that person has a valid permit issued under this section. A person without a moose permit may possess moose parts lawfully sold under section 11217, subsection 2, paragr…

1. Permit required. Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part, a person may not hunt or possess wild turkey unless that person has a valid permit issued under this section. A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime for which the court shall impose a…

1. Permit required. Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part, a person may not hunt pheasant in Cumberland County or York County unless that person has a valid permit issued under this section. Each day a person violates this subsection that person commits a Class E c…

1. Permit required. Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part, a person may not hunt migratory waterfowl unless that person has a valid permit issued pursuant to this section. Each day a person violates this subsection that person commits a Class E crime for which a mi…

1. Certification required; exception. A person may not hunt migratory game birds unless that person is certified under this section. This section does not apply to a resident of the State who is 70 years of age or older and who is issued a complimentary license pursuant to sectio…

1. Permit required. Except as otherwise authorized in this Part, a person may not engage in the practice of falconry unless that person has a valid permit issued under this section. Each day a person violates this subsection that person commits a civil violation. 2. Eligibility. …

1. Permit required. Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part, a person may not hunt coyote at night unless that person has a valid permit issued under this section. Each night a person violates this subsection that person commits a Class E crime for which a minimum fi…

1. Permit required. Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part, a person may not train a hunting dog on bear, fox or raccoon or hunt bear, coyote, bobcat, fox or raccoon with a dog without a valid dog training and hunting permit issued under this section. A person who i…

1. Closed season; general. A person may not hunt any wild animal or wild bird during the closed season or possess any wild animal or wild bird taken during the closed season on that wild animal or wild bird. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who violates this…

There is a perpetually closed season on all wild animals and wild birds on property owned by the Unity Utilities District located on Route 139 and Prairie Road in the municipality of Unity in Waldo County.

1. Hunter orange required. A person may not hunt with firearms or crossbows during the open firearm season on deer unless that person is wearing 2 articles of hunter orange clothing that are in good, serviceable condition and visible from all sides, except that a person hunting w…

A person may not possess a wild animal or wild bird taken while criminally trespassing as described in Title 17‑A, section 402, except as otherwise provided in this Part. A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime.

1. Prohibition. A person may not: A. Hunt wild animals or wild birds on Sunday; or [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. Possess any wild animal or wild bird taken in violation of paragraph A except as otherwise provided in this Part. [PL 2003, c. 414,…

1. Prohibition. Except as otherwise provided in this Part, a person may not: A. Hunt wild birds or wild animals from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise of the following day; or [PL 2003, c. 592, §3 (RPR); PL 2003, c. 592, §5 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL …

1. Shooting or discharge of firearm or archery equipment over or near public paved way. A person may not: A. Shoot at any wild animal or wild bird from any public paved way or within 10 feet of the edge of the pavement of the public paved way or from within the right-of-way of an…

1. Prohibition. A person may not: A. Unless a relevant municipal ordinance provides otherwise and except as provided in subsection 4 and sections 12401 and 12402, discharge a firearm, including a muzzle-loading firearm, or cause a projectile to pass as a result of that discharge …

1. Prohibition. A person may not discharge a firearm within 300 feet of a state-owned boat launching ramp that is posted in accordance with subsection 2. 2. Posting. An agency of the State having jurisdiction over a state-owned boat launching ramp may post notice, in a prominent …

Except as provided in section 12404, subsection 6, paragraph C, a person may not, while on a hunting trip or in the pursuit of wild animals or wild birds, intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or negligently shoot and wound or kill any domestic animal, including, but not limited t…

1. Prohibited act. A person may not use any firearm other than a shotgun in the Town of Southport or the islands within the confines of the Town of Southport. 2. Penalties. The following penalties apply to violations of this section. A. A person who violates subsection 1 commits …

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Loaded firearm or crossbow" means a firearm with a cartridge or shell in the chamber or in an attached magazine, clip or cylinder or a muzzle-load…

1. Shooting at or near migratory waterfowl or wild turkey decoys. A person may not with a firearm, a bow and arrow or a crossbow shoot or shoot at a migratory waterfowl or wild turkey decoy of another person. A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for …

1. Prohibition. A person may not: A. Use for hunting or possess for hunting any automatic firearm. This paragraph does not apply to: (1) Military organizations authorized by law to bear arms or to the National Guard in the performance of its duty. [PL 2017, c. 164, §11 (AMD).] (1…

1. Prohibition. A person may not intentionally kill, injure or molest a wild animal or wild bird with a: A. Motor vehicle; [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §147 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] B. Motorboat; or [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §147 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 …

1. Prohibition on use of aircraft to hunt. A person on the ground or airborne may not use an aircraft to aid or assist in hunting: A. Bear; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. Deer; or [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] C.…

1. Prohibition against buying and selling bear, deer, moose or wild turkey. Except as provided in subsection 2, a person may not: A. Buy, sell or offer for sale or barter a: (1) Bear; (2) Deer; (3) Moose; or (4) Wild turkey; or [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, …

A person may not charge any fee for access to land if the fee is contingent upon the taking of game on the land or directly related to the taking of game on the land unless the land is an authorized commercial shooting area licensed under section 12101. This section does not appl…

1. Prohibition. A person may not hunt on a state game farm at any time. 2. Penalties. The following penalties apply to violations of this section. A. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adju…