Code of Maine Rules › 01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY › 670 - BUREAU OF PARKS AND LANDS › Chapter 54 - BEAR BAITING ON PUBLIC LANDS › Section 670-54-5 - STANDARDS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. A permit from the Bureau of Parks and
				Lands is required before placing bait for bear on public reserved and
				nonreserved lands within the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Parks and Lands that
				is not managed jointly with another entity.
2. Beginning in 2006 permit fees for personal
				bait sites are $30 per bait site and permit fees for commercial bait sites are
				$65 per bait site.
3. All
				applicants for bait site permits must provide proof of a valid, current hunting
				license and /or guides license at the time they submit an application, as such
				license(s) are required for such activities. All applicants must list the name
				of any guide, sporting camp or other hunting related business with which they
				have a business or financial relationship that pertains to the sites listed on
				the application form. Applicants possessing guides licenses with a hunting
				endorsement are eligible for commercial bait sites only.
4. All applicants for commercial sites must
				provide proof of liability insurance in the amount of no less than $300,000 per
				occurrence. Applicants shall also list the name and phone number of anyone
				authorized to place bait at permitted site (s) if other than the
				applicant.
5. Applications for
				permits shall include a bait site map and a GPS location for each site applied
				for. A bait site is considered to have a radius no greater than 100 feet within
				which all bait must be placed.
6.
				Except as provided in sections 8 and 9applications will be accepted between
				June 1 and June 30 of each calendar year. Permits will be issued by August
				1.
7. The Bureau will attempt to
				accommodate all requests for bait sites in an equitable manner. Available bait
				sites will be allocated to applicants as described below.
8. One-half of the available bear bait sites
				will be reserved for personal use. All bait sites not applied for by June 30
				will become available in accordance with standards 4.5( 9,10,11,)
				below.
9. Personal and commercial
				bait sites may be renewed annually for up to 2 years provided application is
				made prior to June 30 each year and provided that the applicant has a record of
				previous compliance with all rules/laws. Beginning in 2003 applications for
				site renewals must be made by May 31 or renewal privileges are forfeited.
				Renewals of sites in 2002 will be for 2003 only and no sites may be renewed in
				2003. In 2004 all sites will be reallocated and a fixed 3 year renewal period
				will begin.
10. After June 30, late
				applications will only be accepted if bait sites are still available. Late
				permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis within 5 working
				days of receipt of the application by the Bureau. Permits for all sites applied
				for after June 30 will be valid for the current year only and are not
				automatically renewable.
11. When
				applications for bait sites exceed the number of available sites the available
				sites will be divided equally among the applicants. If the available sites
				cannot be divided equally among the applicants the sites will be awarded by
				lottery.
12. If a permittee loses
				the required hunting or guides license(s) all bait sites for the remainder of
				the current season are automatically forfeited with no refund of fees
				paid.
13. Bait sites are NOT
				assignable or transferable.
14.
				Bait site signs provided by the bureau must be placed at a distance no greater
				than 100 feet from the bait when bait is present or when the site is being
				used. Bait site signs must be placed in such a manner that the signs are
				conspicuous when approaching the bait site.
15. Permits shall be valid only for the bear
				hunting season for which they are issued and for the specific bait site
				locations approved by the Bureau.
16. The Bureau may refuse to issue a permit
				for any site that is considered unsafe or that is inconsistent with other
				management activities or objectives.
17. Personal bear bait sites may be used only
				by no more than two individuals named in the permit application for that
				specific bait site.
18. Permitees
				must abide by all applicable state laws, rules and regulations governing bear
				baiting, tree stands and other hunting and guiding activities.