Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Program to Enhance Youth Hunting
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1322
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: ROBERTS, GUERIN

Legislative Document
No. 1322
H.P. 857
House of Representatives, March 27, 2025
Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Program to Enhance Youth Hunting 
Participation
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative ROBERTS of South Berwick.
Cosponsored by Senator GUERIN of Penobscot and
Representatives: BRIDGEO of Augusta, CLUCHEY of Bowdoinham, COLLAMORE of 
Pittsfield, DILL of Old Town, JULIA of Waterville, MASON of Lisbon, MASTRACCIO of 
Sanford.
Sec. 1.  Youth participation in hunting pilot program. Resolved: That the 
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, referred to in this resolve as "the department," 
in collaboration with the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office 
of Tourism, shall establish through rulemaking a 2-year pilot program to increase youth 
participation in hunting.  The program must include expanded youth hunting seasons and 
outreach initiatives.
Sec. 2.  Program components. Resolved: That the 2-year pilot program under 
section 1 consists of the following components.
1.  The department shall schedule the youth spring wild turkey hunting day pursuant to 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 11701, subsection 3 during a period with 
increased availability for youth hunters, such as a long weekend, or the department may 
establish a 2-day season on a Friday and Saturday. 
2.  The department shall establish a 2-day youth bear hunting season on a Friday and 
Saturday during a time when youth are more likely to be able to participate, such as late 
summer or early fall.
3.  The department shall establish a day for youth hunting with dogs prior to the start 
of the regular season for hunting with dogs pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 
12, section 11251, subsection 1. 
4.  The pilot program must include a robust public relations and social media campaign 
aimed at increasing awareness of youth hunting opportunities and promoting responsible 
and safe hunting practices.
5.  The pilot program must include collaboration with community organizations, 
schools and outdoor retailers to host informational and educational events. 
6.  The department must invite the participation of hunting organizations, local 
communities and conservation groups to ensure the pilot program meets community and 
environmental standards.
Sec. 3.  Rules. Resolved: That the department, in collaboration with the Department 
of Economic and Community Development, Office of Tourism, shall adopt rules to 
implement the 2-year pilot program under section 1, including but not limited to setting 
specific dates for the pilot program and establishing participation guidelines and reporting 
requirements.  Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined 
in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 4. Report. Resolved: That the department shall report annually on the 
implementation of the 2-year pilot program under section 1 to the joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters.  The report 
must include:
1.  Participation data and demographic trends;
2.  Feedback from participants and stakeholders;
3.  The pilot program's impact on youth engagement and conservation awareness; and
4.  Recommendations for pilot program continuation, modification or termination. 
Sec. 5.  Legislation. Resolved: That the department may submit legislation based 
on department findings during the 2-year pilot program under section 1 to the session of 
the Legislature immediately following the conclusion of the pilot program.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in collaboration 
with the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Tourism, to 
establish through department rulemaking a 2-year pilot program, including expanded youth 
hunting seasons and outreach initiatives, to increase youth participation in hunting.  The 
department is required to report annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters on the implementation of the 
pilot program and is authorized to submit legislation based on the pilot program findings 
after the conclusion of the pilot program.