2009 Maine Code
TITLE 12: CONSERVATION
Chapter 915: HUNTING: SEASONS, REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS
12 §11251. Open and closed seasons

Title 12: CONSERVATION

Part 13: INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)

Subpart 4: FISH AND WILDLIFE HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)

Chapter 915: HUNTING: SEASONS, REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)

Subchapter 5: BEAR HUNTING HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)

Article 1: BEAR SEASONS HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)

§11251. Open and closed seasons

1. Open season on bear; commissioner's authority. This subsection governs the open and closed seasons on bear.

A. There is an open season on hunting bear from the first Monday preceding September 1st to November 30th annually. The commissioner may, pursuant to section 10104, subsection 1, adopt rules prohibiting the use of bait to hunt black bear during any portion of the open bear hunting season. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §155 (AMD); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

B. There is an open season on using a dog or dogs in conjunction with bear hunting from the first Monday preceding September 1st to the day preceding the open firearm season on deer provided in sections 11401 and 11402. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

C. The commissioner may shorten the open seasons on bear as established in paragraphs A and B in any part of the State as long as:

(1) The demarcation of the areas with a shortened season follows recognizable physical boundaries such as rivers and railroad rights-of-way; and

(2) The decision is made and published prior to February 1st of any year. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

D. The commissioner may terminate the open season on bear as established in paragraphs A and B at any time in any part of the State if, in the commissioner's opinion, an immediate emergency action is necessary due to adverse weather conditions or severe hunting or trapping pressure. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

[ 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §155 (AMD); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF) .]

SECTION HISTORY

2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). 2003, c. 655, §B155 (AMD). 2003, c. 655, §B422 (AFF).