2013 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 12: CONSERVATION
Chapter 915: HUNTING: SEASONS, REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS
12 §11701. Authority of commissioner; wild turkey hunting

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 8: WILD TURKEY HUNTING HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)

11701. Authority of commissioner; wild turkey hunting

The commissioner may establish open seasons for hunting wild turkeys, designate areas that are open to the taking of wild turkeys in any part of the State, prescribe the form and regulate the number of permits to be issued, determine the number and sex of the birds to be harvested, establish bag limits, establish permit eligibility requirements, establish legal hunting times, specify the types of weapons to be used during any open wild turkey hunting season and make any other rules that the commissioner considers necessary for the protection of the wild turkey resource. The rules must permit the use of a crossbow during the spring open wild turkey hunting season. [2013, c. 236, 6 (AMD).]

1. Spring season. The commissioner shall establish by rule a spring open season for hunting wild turkeys. Unless the commissioner determines that sound management principles require otherwise, the rule must allow during the spring open season for hunting wild turkeys:

A. A person to take up to 2 wild turkeys without any additional fee for the taking of the 2nd wild turkey; [2013, c. 387, 3 (NEW).]

B. A person to hunt from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. This paragraph is repealed August 1, 2016; and [2013, c. 387, 3 (NEW).]

C. A person to hunt wild turkeys using a crossbow, in addition to any other weapons allowed by the rule. [2013, c. 387, 3 (NEW).]

[ 2013, c. 387, 3 (NEW) .]

2. Fall season. Beginning with the 2014 fall open season, the commissioner shall establish by rule a fall open season for hunting wild turkeys. Unless the commissioner determines that sound management principles require otherwise, the rule must establish a fall open season that includes the month of October and allow a person to take up to 2 wild turkeys regardless of sex without any additional fee for the taking of a 2nd wild turkey.

[ 2013, c. 387, 3 (NEW) .]

3. Youth day. The commissioner shall establish by rule a spring youth hunting day for hunting wild turkeys from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The day must be the Saturday prior to the opening of the spring open season for hunting wild turkeys under subsection 1.

[ 2013, c. 387, 3 (NEW) .]

A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime for which the court shall impose a fine of not less than $500, none of which may be suspended. The court also shall impose a fine of $500 for each turkey unlawfully possessed, none of which may be suspended. [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, 179 (NEW); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, 422 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

2003, c. 414, A2 (NEW). 2003, c. 414, D7 (AFF). 2003, c. 552, 9 (AMD). 2003, c. 552, 15 (AFF). 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF). 2003, c. 655, B179 (AMD). 2003, c. 655, B422,C2,6 (AFF). 2013, c. 236, 6 (AMD). 2013, c. 387, 3 (AMD).