An Act To Clarify and Enhance Maine's Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Laws
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1582
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: CYRWAY
Amends: 12 MRSA §10001, 12 MRSA §10651, 12 MRSA §10652, 12 MRSA §10757, 12 MRSA §10902, 12 MRSA §10952, 12 MRSA §10953, 12 MRSA §11103, 12 MRSA §11108-B, 12 MRSA §11301, 12 MRSA §12255, 12 MRSA §12304-A, 12 MRSA §12304-B, 12 MRSA §12602, 12 MRSA §13063, 12 MRSA §13104, 15 MRSA §393, 36 MRSA §2903-D

Legislative Document
No. 1582
S.P. 555
In Senate, May 4, 2017
An Act To Clarify and Enhance Maine's Fish and Wildlife 
Enforcement Laws
Submitted by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife pursuant to Joint Rule 204.
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed.
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CYRWAY of Kennebec.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA §10001, sub-§1-A is enacted to read: 
1-A.  Airbow.  "Airbow" means a device for propelling an arrow or bolt by means of 
compressed air, mounted on a stock and having a working safety device and a minimum 
pressure of 2000 pounds per square inch. 
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §10001, sub-§11-A is enacted to read: 
11-A.  Crossbow.  "Crossbow" means a device for propelling an arrow or bolt by 
means of transverse limbs and a string. 
Sec. 3.  12 MRSA §10001, sub-§28-A is enacted to read: 
28-A.  Hand-held bow or bow.  "Hand-held bow" or "bow" means a device for 
propelling an arrow by means of limbs and a string that is hand-held, hand-drawn and 
held in a drawn position by hand or a hand-held mechanical release.  "Hand-held bow" or 
"bow" includes a compound bow, recurved bow and long bow. 
Sec. 4.  12 MRSA §10651, sub-§1, ¶E, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and 
amended by c. 695, Pt. B, §6 and affected by Pt. C, §1, is further amended to read: 
E.  Attempt to elude a law enforcement officer by: 
(1)  Operating or attempting to operate an all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile or 
watercraft past a clearly identifiable police roadblock; or 
(2)  After being requested or signaled to stop by a law enforcement officer in 
uniform, operating or attempting to operate an all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile or 
watercraft at a reckless rate of speed. 
Sec. 5.  12 MRSA §10651, sub-§2, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and 
amended by c. 695, Pt. B, §7 and affected by Pt. C, §1, is further amended to read: 
2.  Penalty.  A person who violates subsection 1, paragraph A, B or C commits a 
Class E crime.  A person who violates subsection 1, paragraph D or E this section 
commits a Class D crime, for which a minimum fine of not less than $1,000 must be 
adjudged. 
Sec. 6.  12 MRSA §10652, as amended by PL 2011, c. 253, §7 and c. 682, §38, is 
further amended to read: 
§10652.  Abuse of another person's property 
1.  Prohibitions.  Prohibitions on the abuse of another person's property while 
fishing, hunting or trapping are as follows. 
A.  A person may not while fishing: 
(1)  Tear down or destroy any fence or wall on another person's land; 
(2)  Leave open any gate or bars on another person's land; or 
(3)  Trample or destroy any crop on another person's land.; 
(4) Damage or destroy a tree on another person's land by inserting into that tree 
any metallic or ceramic object to be used as, or as part of, a ladder or observation 
stand unless the person has the permission of the landowner; or 
(5) Except as provided in this paragraph, erect or use either a portable or 
permanent ladder or observation stand on the land of another person unless: 
(a)  That person has obtained oral or written authorization to erect and use a 
ladder or observation stand from the landowner or the landowner's 
representative; and 
(b)  The ladder or observation stand is 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 observation ladder. 
This paragraph does not apply to a portable ladder or observation stand that is located 
on land within the jurisdiction of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission and 
attended by the person who owns the ladder or observation stand.  For purposes of 
this paragraph, "observation stand" does not include a portable blind used at ground 
level that remains in the physical possession of the hunter. 
B.  A person may not while hunting any wild animal or wild bird: 
(1) Damage or destroy a tree on another person's land by inserting into that tree 
any metallic or ceramic object to be used as, or as part of, a ladder or observation 
stand unless the person has the permission of the landowner; 
(2)  Except as provided in this paragraph, erect or use either a portable or 
permanent ladder or observation stand on the land of another person unless: 
(a)  That person has obtained oral or written authorization to erect and use a 
ladder or observation stand from the landowner or the landowner's 
representative; and 
(b)  The ladder or observation stand is 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 observation ladder. 
This subparagraph does not apply to a portable ladder or observation stand that is 
located on land within the jurisdiction of the Maine Land Use Planning 
Commission and attended by the person who owns the ladder or observation 
stand.  For purposes of this subparagraph, "observation stand" does not include a 
portable blind utilized at ground level that remains in the physical possession of 
the hunter; 
(3)  Tear down or destroy any fence or wall on another person's land; 
(4)  Leave open any gate or bars on another person's land; or 
(5)  Trample or destroy any crop on another person's land. 
C.  A person may not while trapping a wild animal: 
(1)  Tear down or destroy any fence or wall on another person's land; 
(2)  Leave open any gate or bars on another person's land; or 
(3)  Trample or destroy any crop on another person's land. 
Except as otherwise provided, a person may not possess any wild animal or wild bird 
taken by hunting or trapping in violation of this subsection. 
2.  Penalty.  A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime and if found 
guilty may be held responsible for restitution to the landowner for damages. 
Sec. 7.  12 MRSA §10757, as amended by PL 2015, c. 281, Pt. A, §2, is further 
amended to read: 
§10757.  Fraudulently obtaining or possessing license, permit or registration 
A person may not obtain or possess a paper or electronic license or, permit or 
registration authorized in this Part through fraud, misstatement or misrepresentation.  A 
person who violates this section commits a Class E crime. 
Sec. 8.  12 MRSA §10902, sub-§6, ¶G, as amended by PL 2013, c. 280, §3, is 
further amended to read: 
G.  Buying or selling moose, unlawfully hunting moose or unlawfully possessing 
moose, in violation of section 11154, 11217, 11601, 11651-A, 11652, 12302-A, 
12304-A 12304-B, 12305 or 12403;  
Sec. 9.  12 MRSA §10902, sub-§7-A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 592, §2 and 
affected by §5 and affected by c. 655, Pt. C, §§5 and 6, is amended to read: 
7-A.  Hunting with night vision or thermal imaging equipment.  A hunting license 
of a person convicted of night hunting in violation of section 11206, subsection 1 and 
found to have been in possession of night vision or thermal imaging equipment at the 
time of the offense must be revoked, and that person is ineligible to obtain a hunting 
license for a period of 5 years from the date of conviction. 
Sec. 10.  12 MRSA §10952, as amended by PL 2015, c. 301, §7, is further 
amended to read: 
§10952.  Open seasons for hunting with bow and arrow, crossbow and airbow 
1.  Hunting with a bow and arrow, crossbow or airbow  A person may, except as 
otherwise provided in this Part, hunt any wild bird or wild animal with a hand-held bow 
and arrow during any open season on that bird or animal if the person holds a valid 
archery hunting license and may, except as otherwise provided in this Part, hunt any wild 
bird or wild animal with a crossbow during any open season on that bird or animal if the 
person holds a valid archery license or hunting license and a valid crossbow hunting 
license.  Any season that permits hunting with a crossbow also permits hunting with an 
airbow, if the hunter has complied with the crossbow licensing requirements. 
Sec. 11.  12 MRSA §10953, sub-§4 is enacted to read: 
4.  Airbow requirements.  A person may not hunt with an airbow unless the airbow 
meets the following requirements: 
A.  The airbow must have a shoulder-type stock.  A hand-held pistol-type airbow 
may not be used; 
B.  The airbow must be charged to a minimum pressure of 2,000 pounds per square 
inch; 
C.  The arrowhead, including a mechanical broadhead when open, must be at least 
7/8 inch in width; 
D.  An airbow arrow or bolt that has an explosive or poisonous tip may not be used; 
E.  The airbow must be equipped with a mechanical trigger safety device in working 
condition; and 
F.  The airbow may be equipped with a scope or sight. 
Sec. 12.  12 MRSA §11103, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and amended by c. 
655, Pt. B, §112 and affected by §422, is further amended to read: 
§11103.  Convicted felon and prohibition for domestic violence 
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 in accordance with Title 15, section 393, subsection 2. 
Sec. 13.  12 MRSA §11108-B, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2013, c. 538, §19, is 
further amended to read: 
1.  Apprentice supervisor required.  A holder of an apprentice hunter license may 
not hunt other than in the presence of an adult apprentice supervisor. 
A.  The following penalties apply to violations of this subsection.  
(1)  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a 
fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 may be adjudged. 
(2)  A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as 
having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 
5-year period commits a Class E crime. 
Sec. 14.  12 MRSA §11108-B, sub-§1-A, ¶A, as amended by PL 2015, c. 301, 
§12, is further amended to read: 
A.  "Adult Apprentice supervisor" means a person who is 18 years of age or older and 
holds a valid adult hunting license under this subchapter. 
Sec. 15.  12 MRSA §11108-B, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2013, c. 538, §19, is 
further amended to read: 
2.  Apprentice supervisor responsibility.  An adult apprentice supervisor must have 
held a valid hunting license for the prior 3 consecutive years to be qualified to supervise a 
holder of an apprentice hunter license.  An adult apprentice supervisor shall ensure that 
the holder of an apprentice hunter license follows safe and ethical hunting protocol and 
adheres to the laws under this Part.  An adult apprentice supervisor may not intentionally 
permit a person hunting under an apprentice hunter license with that adult apprentice 
supervisor to violate subsection 1. 
A.  The following penalties apply to violations of this subsection. 
(1)  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a 
fine of not less than $500 must be adjudged. 
(2)  A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as 
having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 
5-year period commits a Class E crime. 
Sec. 16.  12 MRSA §11301, sub-§1, ¶E, as repealed and replaced by PL 2011, c. 
691, Pt. A, §9, is amended to read: 
E.  The bait is placed not more than 30 days before the opening day of the season 
prior to August 1st and not after October 31st; 
Sec. 17.  12 MRSA §12255, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2015, c. 301, §32, is 
further amended to read: 
1.  Failure to visit traps.  A person shall: 
A.  While trapping in an organized or incorporated place: 
(1)  Check each trap, except killer-type traps or drowning sets, at least once in 
every calendar day; and 
(2)  Check each killer-type trap or drowning set at least once in every 3 calendar 
days, except that a drowning set placed within 1/2 mile of a city, town or village 
center must be checked at least once in every calendar day; and 
B.  While trapping in an unorganized place: 
(1)  Check each trap, except killer-type traps and drowning sets, at least once in 
every calendar day; and 
(2)  Check each killer-type trap or drowning set at least once in every 5 calendar 
days. 
This subsection does not apply to under-ice drowning sets for beaver and muskrat.  For 
the purposes of this subsection, "check" means to visit or cause to be visited in a physical 
manner or to monitor the trap with the aid and use of wireless, digital imaging 
technology. 
A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime. 
Sec. 18.  12 MRSA §12304-A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §232 and 
affected by §422, is repealed. 
Sec. 19.  12 MRSA §12304-B is enacted to read: 
§12304-B.  Condition of animal presented for registration 
1.  Wild turkey.  A person shall present a wild turkey for registration in its entirety, 
except that the viscera may be removed in a manner that permits determination of the sex 
of the animal. 
2.  Bear, deer and moose.  A person shall present all edible meat and evidence of 
gender of bear, deer and moose for registration.  A bear, deer or moose may be 
dismembered for ease of transportation. 
3.  Biological samples.  Through rulemaking, the commissioner may require hunters 
to submit biological samples from wild turkey, bear, deer or moose at the time of 
registration. 
4.  Disposal of parts not presented for registration.  A person may not dispose of 
the parts of a deer, bear or moose not presented for registration where they are visible to a 
person traveling on a public or private way. 
5.  Penalty.  A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime. 
Sec. 20.  12 MRSA §12602, 2nd ¶, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and 
affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read: 
A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime.  The court shall also 
impose a fine of $20 for each fish unlawfully possessed, none of which may be 
suspended.  In the case of smelt limits, a person who violates this section commits a Class 
E crime; and the court shall impose a fine of $20 for each quart of smelts over the limit. 
Sec. 21.  12 MRSA §13063, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and amended by c. 
655, Pt. B, §373 and affected by §422, is further amended to read: 
§13063.  Requirements for operators who carry passengers for hire with watercraft 
1.  Prohibition.  A person may not operate a motorboat carrying passengers for hire 
without an operator's license to carry passengers for hire as required in this section having 
successfully completed a boating safety course provided by a national association of 
boating law administrators and approved by the commissioner.  A person operating a 
motor boat carrying passengers for hire shall provide proof of having successfully 
completed a course under this subsection when requested by the commissioner or the 
commissioner’s agent.  For purposes of this section, "carrying passengers for hire" means 
receiving remuneration to carry passengers in a motorboat from one predetermined point 
to another predetermined point on inland waters. 
A.  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine 
of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. 
B.  A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having 
committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period 
commits a Class E crime. 
2.  Requirement.  Every operator of a motorboat, other than a licensed Maine guide 
certified in watercraft safety, carrying passengers for hire, except those operators who 
have been issued and have or are required to have in their possession a current valid 
federal operator's license, shall obtain an operator's license to carry passengers for hire 
from the commissioner as provided in this section before operating a motorboat carrying 
passengers for hire show proof of having successfully completed an approved boating 
safety course in accordance with subsection 1 upon request of the commissioner or the 
commissioner's agent. 
A.  The operator shall make written application for the license to carry passengers for 
hire on forms provided by the commissioner. 
B.  The commissioner shall cause operators applying for a license to carry passengers 
for hire for the first time to be examined as to their qualifications. 
3.  Issuance.  The commissioner shall issue the license to carry passengers for hire to 
applicants who have satisfactorily passed the examination. 
4.  Fee.  The fee for an operator's license to carry passengers for hire is $1. 
5.  Renewal.  The commissioner may grant a renewal of license to carry passengers 
for hire upon written application and payment of the $1 fee without examination. 
6.  Expiration.  Every license to carry passengers for hire expires on December 31st 
of the year for which issued. 
Sec. 22.  12 MRSA §13104, sub-§13, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and 
amended by c. 655, Pt. B, §390 and affected by §422, is repealed. 
Sec. 23.  15 MRSA §393, sub-§1-B, as amended by PL 2015, c. 470, §3, is 
further amended to read: 
1-B.  Prohibition for domestic violence offenses.  A person may not own, possess 
or have under that person's control a firearm, crossbow or muzzleloader or archery 
equipment if that person: 
A.  Has been convicted of committing or found not criminally responsible by reason 
of insanity of committing: 
(1) A Class D crime in this State in violation of Title 17-A, section 207-A, 
209-A, 210-B, 210-C or 211-A; or 
(2) A crime under the laws of the United States or any other state that in 
accordance with the laws of that jurisdiction is elementally substantially similar 
to a crime in subparagraph (1). 
Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime; or 
B.  Has been adjudicated in this State or under the laws of the United States or any 
other state to have engaged in conduct as a juvenile that, if committed by an adult, 
would have been a disqualifying conviction under this subsection.  Violation of this 
paragraph is a Class C crime. 
Except as provided in subsection 1-A, the prohibition created by this subsection for a 
conviction or adjudication of an offense listed in paragraph A or B expires 5 years from 
the date the person is finally discharged from the sentence imposed as a result of the 
conviction or adjudication if that person has no subsequent criminal convictions during 
that 5-year period.  If a person is convicted of a subsequent crime within the 5-year 
period, the 5-year period starts anew from the date of the subsequent conviction.  In the 
case of a deferred disposition, the 5-year period begins at the start of the deferred 
disposition period.  If, at the conclusion of the deferred disposition period, the court 
grants the State's motion to allow a person to withdraw the plea and the State dismisses 
the pending charging instrument with prejudice, the 5-year period terminates. 
For the purposes of this subsection, a person is deemed to have been convicted or 
adjudicated upon the acceptance of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or a verdict or 
finding of guilty, or of the equivalent in a juvenile case, by a court of competent 
jurisdiction.  
For the purposes of this subsection, a person is deemed to have been found not criminally 
responsible by reason of insanity upon the acceptance of a plea of not criminally 
responsible by reason of insanity or a verdict or finding of not criminally responsible by 
reason of insanity, or of the equivalent in a juvenile case, by a court of competent 
jurisdiction. 
The provisions of this subsection apply only to a person convicted, adjudicated or placed 
on deferred disposition on or after October 15, 2015. 
Sec. 24.  36 MRSA §2903-D, sub-§2, ¶A, as amended by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. B, 
§66 and affected by c. 614, §9, is further amended to read: 
A.    The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife receives 14.93% of that 
amount, to be used by the commissioner for the purposes set forth in Title 12, section 
1893, subsection 3, section 10206, subsection 2, section 13104, subsections 2 to 13 
12-A and section 13105, subsection 1; and 
SUMMARY 
This bill makes several changes to the State's fish and wildlife enforcement laws.  
The bill: 
1.  Makes it legal for a person to use wireless, digital imaging technology as a means 
to comply with a trap tending requirement; 
2.  Makes it clear that hunting with thermal imaging equipment is illegal; 
3.  Creates a $20 penalty for each quart over the 2-quart limit on smelts; 
4. Amends terminology in the law governing apprentice hunter license restrictions; 
5.  Makes it illegal to fraudulently obtain registrations in addition to licenses and 
permits that are provided by the department; 
6.  Makes failing to stop for a law enforcement officer while operating a snowmobile 
or watercraft a Class D crime consistent with the provision applying to all-terrain 
vehicles; 
7.  Makes the airbow a legal hunting implement when used within certain parameters. 
It defines "airbow," "crossbow" and "hand-held bow"; 
8.  Specifies that, in addition to a firearm, a person convicted of a domestic violence 
offense may not own, possess or have under that person's control a crossbow or 
muzzleloader or archery equipment; 
9.  Requires all edible meat from bear, deer or moose to be presented for registration 
along with evidence of gender.  It allows these animals to be dismembered for ease of 
transportation; 
10.  Strengthens language within the prohibition of abuse of another person’s 
property by removing reference to certain stated activities such as hunting, fishing or 
trapping to allow the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to enforce the law 
against persons who abuse another person’s property but who may not be involved in an 
activity such as hunting, fishing or trapping; 
11.  Sets August 1st as the beginning date for bear baiting season; and 
12.  It replaces the requirement that a boat operator have a license from the 
department to carry passengers for hire with a requirement that the operator successfully 
complete a boating safety course provided by a national association of boating law 
administrators approved by the commissioner.