Maine Laws Governing Wildlife

On this page:

• Maine Laws Governing Wildlife
• Damage to Crops or Orchards
• Damage to Motor Vehicles by Wildlife
• Specific Animals

Overview

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is directed 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" (Title 12, Chapter 903, §10051). "Wildlife" is defined as "any species of the animal kingdom, except fish, that is wild by nature, whether or not bred or reared in captivity, and includes any part, egg, or offspring of the animal, or the dead body or parts of the animal" (Chapter 901, §10001).

In addition, Title 12 Chapter 915 prohibits the take, possession or needless destruction of wild bird nests or eggs (§11854), and states that a permit is required to possess any wildlife species regulated by the state, with some exceptions (§12152). Researchers and rehabilitators may apply for scientific collection permits.

Title 12 (below) also provides guidance on what you may do if wildlife (including particular species) is causing damage to crops or orchards and what to do if you hit a bird or mammal with a vehicle.

In addition, two federal statutes, the Lacey Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, protect wildlife from illegal take and transport. More than eight hundred species of birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA, 16 U.S.C. §§ 703-712). This statute makes it unlawful to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill or sell "migratory birds." This act does not discriminate between live or dead birds and also grants full protection to any bird parts including feathers, eggs and nests. In addition, the Lacey Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 3371-3378) of 1900 (amended in 1988) prohibits the trade of wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally taken, possessed, transported or sold. It underscores other federal, state, and foreign laws protecting wildlife by making it an additional offense to take, possess, transport or sell wildlife taken in violation of these laws.

Maine Laws Governing Wildlife Causing Damage/Nuisance

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 921: Wildlife Causing Damage or Nuisance Heading: PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. D, §7 (aff); c. 614, §9 (aff)

§12401 - Attacking domestic animals or destroying property

Except as provided in sections 12402 and 12404, a person may lawfully kill, or cause to be killed, any wild animal or wild turkey, night or day, found in the act of attacking, worrying or wounding that person's domestic animals or domestic birds or destroying that person's property. A person who kills a wild animal or wild turkey by authority of this section shall report the incident to the Maine Warden Service as provided in section 12402, subsections 3 and 4. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

Section History

2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).

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§12402 - Damage to crops or orchards

• Permission to kill nuisance animals or wild turkeys

  Except as provided in section 12404, the cultivator, owner, mortgagee or keeper of any orchard or growing crop, except all types of grasses, clover and grain fields, may take or kill wild animals or wild turkeys night or day when the wild animals or wild turkeys are located within the orchard or crop where substantial damage caused by the wild animal or wild turkey to the orchard or crop is occurring. For purposes of this section, corn is not considered grain. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

• Employment of agents

  When a person wants to employ someone outside of that person's immediate family to take or kill wild animals or wild turkeys, that person shall contact a game warden. If the warden is satisfied that substantial damage is occurring, the warden may arrange for a department agent to alleviate the damage; when an agent is not available, the warden may authorize a person who is knowledgeable and can perform the work in a reasonable, safe and proficient manner. Permission to take or kill wild animals or wild turkeys may not be granted to a person whose license to hunt has been revoked or suspended, who is an habitual violator as defined in section 10605, subsection 1 or who has been convicted of night hunting within the past 5 years. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

• Report to Maine Warden Service; dressing of carcass

  The person by whom or under whose direction the wild animal or wild turkey is wounded, taken or killed under this section shall:
  

  A. Within 12 hours, report all the facts relative to the act to the Maine Warden Service, stating the time and place of the wounding, taking or killing; and [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

  B. In all cases of deer, bear, moose or wild turkey, immediately and properly dress the carcass or carcasses and care for the meat. When the meat is being distributed to recipients authorized under the Hunters for the Hungry Program established in section 10108, subsection 8, the person shall inform the department within 24 hours that the meat is ready to be picked up. [2007, c. 198, §1 (AMD).]

• Warden's certificate

  A game warden shall investigate an incident under this section as soon as possible and, if the game warden is satisfied that the wild animal or wild turkey was taken as provided in this section, give the person who killed the wild animal or wild turkey a certificate that entitles the cultivator, owner, mortgagee or keeper of the orchard or growing crop to own the carcass or carcasses, which may be possessed and consumed only within the immediate family of the cultivator, owner, mortgagee or keeper of the orchard or growing crop, or, in accordance with the labeling requirements for possession of deer, bear, moose or wild turkey, to transfer possession of those wild animals or wild turkeys to another person. Any excess carcasses after the first 2 carcasses of bear, moose or wild turkey or after the first 3 carcasses of deer killed or taken under subsection 1 or 2 must be distributed to recipients authorized through the Hunters for the Hungry Program established in section 10108, subsection 8 or as otherwise authorized by the game warden. [2007, c. 198, §2 (AMD).]

• Failure to report wounding, taking or killing of nuisance wild animal or to properly care for carcass

  A person may not:

  A. Wound, take or kill a wild animal under section 12401 or this section unless the person reports all the facts relative to the incident to the Maine Warden Service within 12 hours; or [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

  B. Kill a deer, bear or moose pursuant to section 12401 or this section unless the person immediately and properly dresses the carcass and cares for the meat to prevent spoilage. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime.
[2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §239 (AMD); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

Section History

2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). 2003, c. 655, §B239 (AMD). 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). 2003, c. 655, §B422 (AFF). 2007, c. 198, §§1, 2 (AMD).

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§12403 - Damage to motor vehicles by wild animals or wild birds

• Claims

  The State is not liable for any claims for damages to a motor vehicle by a wild animal or wild bird. [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §240 (AMD); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

• Accidental collisions involving deer, moose, bear or wild turkey

  This subsection applies to accidental collisions involving deer, moose, bear or wild turkey.

  A. The operator or owner having knowledge of a motor vehicle that has been involved in an accidental collision with a deer, moose, bear or wild turkey shall, by the quickest means, report the accident to a law enforcement officer. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

  B. The officer shall investigate an accident reported under paragraph A and, if the officer finds that the motor vehicle has sustained apparent damage as the result of the collision, shall give a certificate that entitles the person to the ownership of the carcass. The person may then take possession and immediately remove the entire carcass from the scene of the collision. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

  C. A person entitled to ownership of a deer, moose or bear carcass under paragraph B may not take possession of or remove any portion of the carcass without taking possession of or removing the entire carcass from the scene of the collision. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

• Penalties

  The following penalties apply to violations of this section.

  A. A person who fails to report an accident in accordance with subsection 2, paragraph A or who removes a portion of a carcass in violation of subsection 2, paragraph C commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §241 (AMD); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

  A-1. A person who fails to report an accident in accordance with subsection 2, paragraph A or removes a portion of a carcass in violation of subsection 2, paragraph C after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §241 (NEW); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

  B. [2003, c. 552, §15 (AFF); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§2, 6 (AFF); 2003, c. 552, §13 (RP).]
  [ 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §241 (AMD); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF) .]

Section History

2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). 2003, c. 552, §13 (AMD). 2003, c. 655, §§B240,241 (AMD). 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). 2003, c. 552, §15 (AFF). 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). 2003, c. 655, §§B422,C2,6 (AFF).

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§12404 - Specific animals

• Bear

  This subsection applies to the taking or killing of bear found doing damage.
  

  A. Section 12402 does not prohibit the taking or killing of bear found doing damage to blueberry land. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

  B. The commissioner may issue a permit to any licensed beekeeper, or to a person entrusted with the custody of the beehives of a licensed beekeeper, authorizing that person to protect beehives from damage by bear. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

  C. The commissioner may suspend the game laws relating to bears in such restricted localities and for such periods of time as the commissioner finds it advisable to relieve excessive damage being done by bears to sweet corn or other crops. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

  D. The commissioner may suspend subsection 6 for the purpose of allowing dogs to be used in hunting and killing bears, providing the dogs are under the personal supervision of the owner at all times, for such periods of time as the commissioner finds it advisable. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

• Beaver

  Except as provided in paragraph A, a person may not take or kill beaver under sections 12401 and 12402.

  A. In accordance with section 10105, subsection 1, the commissioner may at any time authorize a landowner, a person on behalf of the landowner or an agent of the department to take or kill nuisance beaver. [PL 2021, c. 60, §1 (NEW).]

  A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime.
  [PL 2021, c. 60, §1 (AMD).]

• Birds

  A person may not take or kill wild birds, with the exception of rock doves and wild turkeys under sections 12401 and 12402.

  A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime.
  [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §242 (AMD); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF) .]

• Coyotes

  The commissioner may cause department personnel to take coyotes at any time and in any manner that the commissioner may prescribe. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

• Deer

  This subsection applies to the control of nuisance deer in orchards and crops.

  A. Whenever deer are doing damage to orchards and crops, including legumes, but excepting grass, the department shall furnish to the owner or agent of the orchards and crops suitable repellants without cost to the owner or agent. The commissioner may follow other good conservation practices to alleviate the damage. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

  B. Whenever the commissioner determines it impossible to keep deer from doing damage to young orchards, the commissioner may enter into an agreement with the owner of a young orchard in which the department assumes 1/2 the cost of fencing the orchard. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] and [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §242 (AMD); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

• Dogs

  This subsection applies to nuisance dogs.
  

  A. A game warden may kill a dog outside the enclosure or immediate care of its owner or keeper when the game warden finds that dog:
  

  1. Chasing, killing, wounding or pursuing a moose or deer at any time;

  2. Chasing, killing, wounding or pursuing any other wild animal in closed season; or

  3. Worrying, wounding or killing a domestic animal, livestock or poultry. [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §243 (AMD); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

  B. An owner of domestic animals, livestock or poultry, a member of the owner's family or a person to whom is entrusted the custody of domestic livestock or poultry may kill any dog killing or attacking the domestic animals, livestock or poultry. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

  C. A person having evidence of a dog chasing, killing, wounding or pursuing moose or deer or any other wild animal in closed season may present that evidence to the commissioner or any game warden.
  

  1. The commissioner or game warden shall give notice in writing to the owner or keeper of the dog, stating the acts committed by the dog.

  2. After the owner or keeper of the dog has received written notice that the dog has committed any act prohibited by paragraphs E-1, E-2, F and G, anyone may kill the dog when it is found committing any of those prohibited acts. [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §243 (AMD); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

  D. [2003, c. 552, §15 (AFF); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§2, 6 (AFF); 2003, c. 552, §14 (RP).]

  E. [2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §243 (RP).]

  E-1. Except as provided in paragraphs F and G, the owner or keeper of a dog is in violation of this paragraph if that owner's or keeper's bird dog, retrieving dog or hound dog is found killing or wounding a moose, deer or wild turkey during a period in which it is lawful to train dogs, as provided for in section 12051, subsection 1, while the dog is at a licensed dog training area or at a licensed trial for retrieving dogs.
  

  1. A person who violates this paragraph commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

  2. A person who violates this paragraph after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §243 (NEW); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

  E-2. Except as provided in paragraphs F and G, the owner or keeper of a dog is in violation of this paragraph if that owner or keeper has been notified under paragraph C and that owner or keeper permits any dog mentioned in the notice to leave the owner's or keeper's immediate control.
  

  1. A person who violates this paragraph commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

  2. A person who violates this paragraph after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §243 (NEW); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

  F. The owner or keeper of a dog is in violation of this paragraph if that owner's or keeper's dog is found chasing or pursuing a moose, deer or wild turkey at any time or any other wild animal in closed season.
  

  1. A person who violates this paragraph commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

  2. A person who violates this paragraph after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §243 (AMD); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

  G. The owner or keeper of a dog is in violation of this paragraph if that owner's or keeper's dog is found killing or wounding a moose, deer or wild turkey at any time or any other wild animal in closed season.

  1. A person who violates this paragraph commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 may be adjudged.

  2. A person who violates this paragraph after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [2005, c. 477, §14 (AMD).]

• Muskrat

  The commissioner may declare an open season on muskrats that are polluting water supplies or damaging property if the owner makes a written complaint to that effect to the commissioner. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

• Raccoons

  The commissioner may suspend the game laws relating to raccoons in such restricted localities and for such periods of time as the commissioner finds it advisable to relieve excessive damage being done by raccoons to sweet corn or other crops. The commissioner may suspend subsection 6 for the purpose of allowing dogs to be used in hunting and killing raccoons, providing the dogs are under the personal supervision of the owner at all times, for such periods of time as the commissioner finds it advisable. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

Section History

2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). 2003, c. 552, §14 (AMD). 2003, c. 655, §§B242,243 (AMD). 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). 2003, c. 552, §15 (AFF). 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). 2003, c. 655, §§B422,C2,6 (AFF). 2005, c. 477, §14 (AMD).

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