Code of Maine Rules › 09 - DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE › 137 - DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE - GENERAL › Chapter 16 - HUNTING › Section 137-16-12 - Upland Game and Furbearing Animal Hunting

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
General Prohibition on Possession of Wild Birds and
				Animals
2.
Limits
3.
Keeping Upland Game and Furbearing Animals Alive
4.
Hunting Seasons, Daily Bag and
				Possession Limits for Upland Game
5.
Gray Squirrels
6.
Open Seasons for the Hunting of
				Furbearing Animals
7.
Raccoon Hunting
8.
Raccoon Dog Field Trials
1.
General Prohibition on Possession of
				Wild Birds and Animals
It shall be unlawful for any person to have in possession, at
				  any time, any wild bird or wild animal, or part thereof, taken in violation of
				  these regulations. There shall be a closed season for the hunting or trapping
				  of any wild bird or wild animal for which an open season is not herein
				  specifically provided or is provided by law.
2.
Limits
No person shall hunt, trap or have in their possession at any
				  time more than the numerical limits of any given species of upland game or
				  furbearing animal which are specifically set forth in these regulations.
3.
Keeping Upland Game and
				Furbearing Animals Alive
No person shall keep alive any upland game or furbearing
				  animal which such person has taken, whether by hunting or trapping, except in
				  accordance with the provisions of  12 M.R.S. §12152 and §
										12763, as
				  amended, providing, among other things, for the issuance of permits for such
				  purposes by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
4.
Hunting Seasons, Daily
				Bag and Possession Limits for Upland Game
Species
Open Hunting Season
Daily Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Snowshoe Hare
Last Sat. in Sept. - March 31 (Last Sat. in Sept. -
								Feb. 28 on Vinalhaven Island Knox County)
4
8
Gray Squirrel
Last Sat. in Sept. - Dec. 31
4
8
Falconry Gray Squirrel Season
Last Sat. in Sept. - Feb. 28
4
8
Woodchuck
No Closed Season
No Bag Limit
No Possession Limit
Porcupine
No Closed Season
No Bag Limit
No Possession Limit
Ring Necked Pheasant
Last Sat. in Sept. - Dec. 31
2
4
Ruffed Grouse (Partridge)
Last Sat. in Sept. - Dec. 31
4
8
Bobwhite Quail
Last Sat. in Sept. - Dec. 31
4
8
Spruce Grouse
No Open Season
5.
Gray Squirrels
No person shall hunt or trap gray squirrels on any land which
				  have been dedicated as a public or private park or which are within the limits
				  of compact or built-up portions of any city or town.
6.
Statewide Seasons for the Hunting of
				Furbearing Animals
Furbearer
								Animal
Season
								Dates
Bobcat
December 1 through February 21
Coyote
January 1 through December 31 (day hunting only
								permitted)
December 16 through August 31
(day & night hunting permitted with appropriate
								permit)
Fox
Monday after the opening of the Special Fox &
								Coyote
Trapping Season through February 28
Raccoon
October 1 through December 31
Red Squirrel
January 1 through December 31
Skunk and Opossum
Monday after the opening of the Special Fox &
								Coyote Trapping Season through December 31
NO BAG LIMIT FOR THESE
								SPECIES
7.
Raccoon Hunting
Raccoons may be hunted at night in accordance with  12 M.R.S.
				  §11901 during the open season only when the hunter:
A. Is accompanied by a dog,
B. Uses a flashlight to locate raccoons that
				are treed, or held at bay, by a dog(s), and
C. Is in possession of, and uses a rifle,
				pistol, or revolver of no greater power or caliber than one which uses .22
				caliber long rifle ammunition; the firearm is to be loaded only when being used
				to dispatch a raccoon that is treed or held at bay by a dog(s).