2013 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 12: CONSERVATION
Chapter 915: HUNTING: SEASONS, REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS
12 §11403. Regular archery-only deer hunting season

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)
Subchapter 6: DEER HUNTING HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)

11403. Regular archery-only deer hunting season

1. License required. Except as provided in section 11108, subsection 1 or otherwise authorized by this Part, a person 16 years of age or older may not hunt deer with a bow and arrow during the special open season on deer as provided under this section unless that person has a valid archery hunting license.

Each day a person violates this subsection that person commits a Class E crime for which a minimum fine of $50 and an amount equal to twice the applicable license fee must be imposed.

[ 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, 2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF) .]

2. Open archery season on deer. The commissioner shall by rule establish a regular archery-only season beginning at least 30 days prior and extending to the beginning of the regular deer hunting season, as described in section 11401, subsection 1, paragraph A, for the purpose of hunting deer with bow and arrow only. During the regular archery-only season on deer, except as provided in section 10952, subsection 2 and section 10953, subsection 1-A, the following restrictions apply.

A. A person may not take a deer during a regular archery-only season unless that person uses a hand-held bow and broadhead arrow with the following specifications.

(1) Bows must have a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds.

(2) Arrowheads, including mechanical broadheads when open, must be at least 7/8 inch in width. [2007, c. 163, 2 (AMD); 2007, c. 163, 3 (AFF).]

B. A person may not carry firearms of any kind while hunting any species of wildlife with bow and arrow during the regular archery-only season on deer, except that a person who holds a license that allows hunting with firearms may carry a handgun. This paragraph may not be construed to prohibit a person who holds a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun pursuant to Title 25, section 2003 from carrying a handgun. [2011, c. 298, 1 (AMD).]

C. Except as provided in section 11109-A, subsection 3, if a person takes a deer with bow and arrow during the regular archery-only season on deer, that person is precluded from further hunting for deer during that year. [2007, c. 163, 2 (AMD); 2007, c. 163, 3 (AFF).]

D. Except as provided in this subsection, the provisions of this Part concerning deer are applicable to the taking of deer with bow and arrow, including the transportation, registration and possession of deer taken by this method. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, 2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF).]

A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime.

[ 2011, c. 61, 4 (AMD); 2011, c. 298, 1 (AMD) .]

SECTION HISTORY

2003, c. 414, A2 (NEW). 2003, c. 414, D7 (AFF). 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF). 2003, c. 655, B170 (AMD). 2003, c. 655, B422 (AFF). 2007, c. 163, 2 (AMD). 2007, c. 163, 3 (AFF). 2011, c. 61, 4 (AMD). 2011, c. 298, 1 (AMD).