An Act To Increase State Wildlife Revenues and Grow the Hunting and Fishing Industries
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0879
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: TUTTLE
Amends: 12 MRSA §10001, 12 MRSA §10851, 12 MRSA §10853

Legislative Document 
No. 879 
S.P. 304 
In Senate, March 5, 2013 
An Act To Increase State Wildlife Revenues and Grow the Hunting 
and Fishing Industries 
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed. 
DAREK M. GRANT 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator TUTTLE of York. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA §10001, sub-§2-A is enacted to read: 
2-A.  Antlerless deer.  "Antlerless deer" means a deer without antlers or without any 
antler that has 3 or more antler points on one side. 
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §10851, sub-§1, ¶C, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and 
amended by c. 655, Pt. B, §92 and affected by §422, is further amended to read: 
C.  For a resident from 65 to 69 years of age: 
(1)  A senior resident lifetime fishing license.  The fee for a senior resident 
lifetime fishing license is $50 for a person who purchases the license in the year 
in which that person turns 65 years of age, $40 for a person who purchases the 
license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, $30 for a person 
who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 67 years of age, 
$20 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 
years of age and $10 for a person who purchases the license in the year in 
which that person turns 69 years of age; 
(2)  A senior resident lifetime hunting license.  The fee for a senior resident 
lifetime hunting license is $50 for a person who purchases the license in the year 
in which that person turns 65 years of age, $40 for a person who purchases the 
license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, $30 for a person 
who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 67 years of age, 
$20 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 
years of age and $10 for a person who purchases the license in the year in 
which that person turns 69 years of age; 
(3)  A senior resident lifetime archery hunting license.  The fee for a senior 
resident lifetime archery hunting license is $50 for a person who purchases the 
license in the year in which that person turns 65 years of age, $40 for a person 
who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, 
$30 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 
years of age, $20 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which 
that person turns 68 years of age and $10 for a person who purchases the license 
in the year in which that person turns 69 years of age; 
(3-A)  A senior resident lifetime trapping license. The fee for a senior resident 
lifetime trapping license is $50 for a person who purchases the license in the year 
in which that person turns 65 years of age, $40 for a person who purchases the 
license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, $30 for a person 
who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 67 years of age, 
$20 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 
years of age and $10 for a person who purchases the license in the year in 
which that person turns 69 years of age; 
(4)  A senior resident combination of any 2 lifetime licenses.  The fee for a senior 
resident combination of any 2 lifetime licenses is $80 for a person who purchases 
the license in the year in which that person turns 65 years of age, $64 for a person 
who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, 
$48 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 
years of age, $32 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which 
that person turns 68 years of age and $16 for a person who purchases the license 
in the year in which that person turns 69 years of age; and 
(5)  A senior resident combination of any 3 lifetime licenses.  The fee for a senior 
resident combination of any 3 lifetime licenses is $110 for a person who 
purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 65 years of age, $94 
for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 66 
years of age, $78 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that 
person turns 67 years of age, $52 for a person who purchases the license in the 
year in which that person turns 68 years of age and $26 for a person who 
purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 69 years of age; and 
Sec. 3.  12 MRSA §10851, sub-§1, ¶D, as amended by PL 2011, c. 253, §12, is 
further amended to read: 
D.  For a resident 70 years of age or older.  For a person who holds a valid senior 
lifetime license under this section at any time during the calendar year that person 
turns 70 years of age, that lifetime license includes all hunting permits and licenses 
authorized in this Part and may renew at no cost a guide license under section 12853.  
A person who is 70 years of age or older may purchase a senior lifetime license that 
entitles the holder to all the privileges described in this paragraph for a one-time $8 
fee.; and 
Sec. 4.  12 MRSA §10851, sub-§1, ¶E is enacted to read: 
E.  For a nonresident 65 years of age or older.  A nonresident who is 65 years of age 
or older may purchase a senior nonresident lifetime license that includes all permits 
and licenses authorized in this Part for a one-time $500 fee. 
Sec. 5.  12 MRSA §10851, last ¶, as amended by PL 2009, c. 404, §1, is further 
amended to read: 
A person must be a resident to purchase a senior resident lifetime license under 
subsection 1, paragraphs C and D.  A person who is a nonresident may purchase a senior 
nonresident lifetime license under paragraph E.  Once purchased, a lifetime license is 
valid for the life of the holder without regard to subsequent changes in the legal residence 
of the holder.  The license entitles the holder to all fishing or hunting privileges extended 
to residents or nonresidents as applicable of that same age who hold the equivalent annual 
license and subjects the holder to all limitations and prerequisites on those fishing or 
hunting privileges that apply to residents or nonresidents of that same age who hold the 
equivalent annual license. 
Sec. 6.  12 MRSA §10853, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2007, c. 651, §10, is 
further amended to read: 
4.  Disabled veteran.  A resident disabled veteran or a nonresident disabled veteran 
who is a resident of New Hampshire or Vermont may obtain upon application, at no cost, 
all hunting, trapping and fishing licenses, including permits, stamps and other permission 
needed to hunt, trap and fish, and, upon meeting the qualifications as established in 
section 12853, subsection 4, a guide license.  The commissioner shall issue all fishing, 
trapping and hunting licenses and permits requested under this subsection if the 
commissioner determines the applicant is a resident disabled veteran and is not otherwise 
ineligible to hold that permit or license.  For the purposes of this subsection, "resident 
disabled veteran" means a person who: 
A.  Is a resident as defined in section 10001, subsection 53 or is a resident of New 
Hampshire or Vermont; 
B.  Is a veteran as defined in Title 37-B, section 505, subsection 2, paragraph A, 
subparagraph (3); and 
C.  Has a service-connected disability evaluated at: 
(1)  One hundred percent; or 
(2)  Seventy percent or more as a result of honorable military service and who 
has served in a combat zone during any armed conflict in which participants were 
exposed to war risk hazards as defined in 42 United States Code, Section 1711 
(b). 
Each application must be accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the applicant meets 
the requirements of this subsection.  An applicant for a license or permit under this 
section is subject to the provisions of this Part, including, but not limited to, a lottery or 
drawing system for issuing a particular license or permit.  A permit or license issued 
under this subsection remains valid for the life of the permit or license holder, as long as 
the permit or license holder continues to satisfy the residency requirement in section 
10001, subsection 53 and the permit or license is not revoked or suspended.  For a 
resident of New Hampshire or Vermont to be eligible under this subsection, that resident's 
state must have a reciprocal agreement with this State. 
Sec. 7.  Report out legislation.  The Joint Standing Committee on Inland 
Fisheries and Wildlife shall develop a definition of "deer wintering area" and shall 
develop tax incentives for landowners to take steps to protect deer wintering areas.  The 
committee may report out legislation on these issues to the Second Regular Session of the 
126th Legislature. 
Sec. 8.  Report to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and 
Wildlife.  The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, referred to in this section as 
"the department," shall work with land trusts to develop methods of protecting deer 
wintering areas by conservation easement. 
The department shall report its findings and recommendations concerning protection 
of deer wintering areas to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife  
no later than January 15, 2014. 
SUMMARY 
This bill: 
1.  Limits the taking of bucks to those with 3 or more antler points on one side for 
those hunters without antlerless deer permits; 
2.  Creates a lifetime combination license for a nonresident 65 years of age or older 
for a $500 fee; 
3.  Allows a 100% disabled veteran who is a resident of New Hampshire or Vermont 
to obtain free hunting, trapping and fishing licenses if that veteran's state has a reciprocal 
agreement with Maine; 
4.  Directs the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to define 
"deer wintering area" and to develop tax incentives for landowners to take steps to protect 
deer wintering areas; and 
5.  Directs the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to work with land trusts to 
develop ways to protect deer wintering areas by conservation easement.