2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 12: CONSERVATION › Part 13: INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE › Subpart 4: FISH AND WILDLIFE › Chapter 915: HUNTING: SEASONS, REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS › Subchapter 6: DEER HUNTING › Article 1: DEER SEASONS › 12 §11402. Special regulations

§11402. Special regulations
1.  Vinalhaven; open season.
There is an open season on deer in the Town of Vinalhaven, and the islands within the confines of the Town of Vinalhaven, to conform with the open season on deer for Knox County.
[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
2.  Southport; open season.
There is an open season on deer in the Town of Southport, and the islands within the confines of the Town of Southport, to conform with the open season on deer in Lincoln County.
[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
3.  Closed season.
Except as provided by rule pursuant to subsection 4, there is a continual closed season on deer in the following places:
A. Mount Desert Island;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
B. Cross Island in Washington County;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
C. Scotch Island in Washington County;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
D. The Town of Isle au Haut and the islands within the confines of the Town of Isle au Haut in Knox County;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
E. All of Swans Island in the Town of Swan's Island in Hancock County;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
F. The Town of Islesboro in Waldo County, except that a person may hunt deer in that town with bow and arrow from the first day of the special archery season on deer, established in accordance with section 11403, subsection 2, to the end of the regular firearm season on deer of each calendar year in Waldo County;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
G. The whole of Cranberry Isles in Hancock County, except that a person may hunt deer in the Cranberry Isles with a shotgun or bow in accordance with applicable laws and rules; and   [PL 2023, c. 239, §31 (AMD).]
H. The whole of Long Island in Long Island Plantation in Hancock County.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
[PL 2023, c. 239, §31 (AMD).]
4.  Rule.
The commissioner by rule may:
A. Open any of the areas closed to deer hunting under subsection 3, as long as the legislative body of each affected town approves the opening. For purposes of this subsection, "affected town" means a town, township or municipality that contains within its borders any area proposed to be opened under this paragraph;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
B. Create special hunting seasons for the taking of deer in any part of the State to maintain deer populations in balance with available habitat, subject to the provisions of this paragraph.
(1) The demarcation of each area must follow recognizable physical boundaries, such as rivers, roads and railroad rights-of-way.
(3) The commissioner may establish limits on the number of deer taken or possessed by persons during a special season. Limits established by the commissioner under this subparagraph are exceptions to the limits imposed under section 11501.
(4) The commissioner may specify types of weapons to be used during a special season; and   [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §169 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
C. Establish a youth deer hunting day.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
[PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §169 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 655, §B169 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 655, §B422 (AFF). PL 2023, c. 239, §31 (AMD).