Code of Maine Rules › 09 - DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE › 137 - DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE - GENERAL › Chapter 7 - RULES FOR IMPORTATION, POSSESSION, PROPAGATION, REHABILITATION, AND EXHIBITION OF WILDLIFE › Section 137-7-01 - Scope of Rules

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is
				  established to preserve, protect and enhance the inland fisheries and wildlife
				  resources of the state; to encourage the wise use of these resources; to ensure
				  coordinated planning for the future use and preservation of these resources;
				  and to provide for the effective management of these resources.
Pursuant to
				  12 M.R.S.
				  §12152 the commissioner has the
				  authority to adopt rules necessary for the administration of wildlife in
				  captivity, including provisions to ensure that all wildlife possessed under
				  these permits receives humane treatment and proper husbandry and security, and
				  to safeguard the interests of the wildlife and citizens of the State.
				  Non-native wildlife potentially carries risks for the native wildlife resources
				  and ecosystems of the State of Maine and the public at large. Collection of
				  some native wildlife can be unsustainable and when held in captivity may pose
				  risks upon release. With changing environmental conditions and the inherent
				  adaptability of wildlife, the ability to predict the likelihood of a non-native
				  wildlife species to survive in the wild is difficult. Therefore, these rules
				  are established to protect Maine's wildlife and people from the introduction or
				  spread of diseases, the establishment of exotic species, and from bodily injury
				  caused by dangerous native and exotic wildlife species. These rules are also
				  established to govern trade in wildlife species that are rare or threatened in
				  their native range and to ensure the proper care and welfare of all wildlife in
				  captivity.
These rules are organized into general provisions applying to
				  all permits under this Chapter, followed by specific provisions applying to
				  each permit. The approval of permits shall be subject to the ability of the
				  applicant to meet the provisions of these rules and other legal
				  requirements.
These rules shall apply to:
1. The possession, propagation, research,
				rehabilitation, or exhibition of any wildlife in captivity and to the
				importation of live wildlife from an area outside the state, including wildlife
				that has been hybridized, genetically altered, or reared in captivity, pursuant
				to 12 M.R.S. Part 13.
These rules do not apply to:
1. The collection or use of any native
				wildlife from within Maine forpersonal, scientific or educational purposes as
				provided within 12 M.R.S. and department rule chapter 6; or
2. The personal possession of any reptile,
				amphibian or invertebrate that is native to Maine and captured in Maine and is
				not listed by the department as threatened or endangered or of special concern.
				Possession limits for each species are provided within
				12 M.R.S.
				§12152.
3. The harvest of amphibians or nonmarine
				invertebrates for the purpose of export, sale or commercial purposes as
				provided within
				12 M.R.S.
				§12159 and §
										12161 and as provided within
				department rule chapter 26; or
4.
				The possession, propagation, and exhibition of fish which can be found within
				12 M.R.S and as provided with department rule chapter 2; or
5. The release of captive, raised, or
				imported wild animals or wild birds into the wild as provided within
				12 M.R.S.
				§12156; or
6. Importation permits issued to operators of
				commercial shooting areas specific to mallard ducks, quail, chukar partridge
				and Hungarian quail, which can be found within
				12 M.R.S.
				§12102;
7. The importation, capture or possession of
				raptors for hunting as provided within
				12 M.R.S.
				§11159 and department rule chapter 4;
				or
8. Savannah cats that are an F4
				or higher generation; or
9. The
				importation or possession of dead wildlife or wildlife parts that are legally
				possessed; or
10. The hunting or
				possession of wildlife within commercial large game shooting areas as provided
				within Title
				7 M.R.S.
				§1342-A.