Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1303
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: FREDETTE, GOODALL, DAVIS, GUERIN, REED, SHORT, TYLER, WOOD, JACKSON

Legislative Document 
No. 1303 
H.P. 930 
House of Representatives, April 2, 2013 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Establish the Right To Hunt and Fish 
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative FREDETTE of Newport. 
Cosponsored by Senator GOODALL of Sagadahoc and 
Representatives: DAVIS of Sangerville, GUERIN of Glenburn, McCABE of Skowhegan, 
REED of Carmel, SHORT of Pittsfield, TYLER of Windham, WOOD of Sabattus, Senator: 
JACKSON of Aroostook. 
Constitutional amendment. Resolved:  Two thirds of each branch of the 
Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be 
proposed: 
Constitution, Art. IX, §26 is enacted to read: 
Section 26.  Personal right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife; limitations.  
The freedom to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife traditionally taken by hunters and anglers 
is a valued natural heritage that must be forever preserved for the citizens of this State.  
Every citizen has the personal right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, using traditional 
methods, subject only to statutes enacted by the Legislature and to rules adopted by the 
designated state agency to promote wildlife conservation and management and to 
preserve the future of hunting and fishing.  Public hunting and fishing are a preferred 
means of managing and controlling wildlife.  This section may not be construed to 
modify any provision of law relating to trespass, property rights or the regulation of 
commercial activities. 
; and be it further 
Constitutional referendum procedure; form of question; effective date. 
Resolved:  That the municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their 
respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for 
holding a statewide election, at a statewide election held in the month of November 
following the passage of this resolution, to vote upon the ratification of the amendment 
proposed in this resolution by voting upon the following question: 
"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to provide that the 
citizens of Maine have the personal right to hunt, fish and harvest 
wildlife, subject to laws and rules that promote wildlife conservation and 
preserve the future of hunting and fishing, and to provide that public 
hunting and fishing are a preferred means of managing and controlling 
wildlife?" 
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question 
and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within the corresponding 
square below the word "Yes" or "No."  The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and 
declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of 
State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature.  The Governor shall 
review the returns.  If it appears that a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of the 
amendment, the Governor shall proclaim that fact without delay and the amendment 
becomes part of the Constitution of Maine on the date of the proclamation; and be it 
further 
Secretary of State shall prepare ballots. Resolved: That the Secretary of State 
shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies 
of this resolution necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum. 
SUMMARY 
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to provide that the 
citizens of Maine have the personal right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, subject to laws 
and rules that promote wildlife conservation and preserve the future of hunting and 
fishing, and to provide that public hunting and fishing are a preferred means of managing 
and controlling wildlife.