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

Universal Citation: 09 ME Code Rules ยง 137-16-12

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 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).

8. Raccoon Dog Field Trials

A. Scope of Rules

These rules shall be applicable only to raccoon dog field trials as authorized in Title 12, M.R.S., Sections 12051 and 12054. Nothing in these rules shall in any way restrict or regulate the use of dogs by licensed hunters in taking raccoons during the open raccoon hunting season.

B. Definition

The term "raccoon dog field trial" means any organized competition designed primarily to measure the performance of hounds which have been bred and/or trained for the purpose of trailing and treeing raccoons.

C. Field Trial Events

Raccoon dog field trials may include, and shall be limited to, the following events:

(1) Night hunts

(2) Water races

(3) Drag races

(4) Treeing contests

D. Written Notification Requirements
(1) No organization shall conduct a raccoon dog field trial without first filing written notice of intent with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

(2) Each notice of intent to conduct a raccoon dog field trial shall be filed with the department at least 10 days prior to the field trials.

(3) Each notice of intent shall include the name of the organization which will be conducting the field trial; the name of at least one of the officers of the organization; the date, time and location of the field trial; and the types of events which will be run during the field trial.

E. Night Hunt Restrictions

A night hunt may be included as part of a raccoon dog field trial only if the hunt is licensed by UKC (United Kennel Club), AKC (American Kennel Club), NKC (National Kennel Club), ACHA (American Coon Hound Association) or PCA (Professional Coonhunters Association), and is conducted in strict accordance with UKC, AKC, NKC, ACHA, or PCA rules.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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