10
LICENSING INFORMATION
LICENSE & PERMIT REVOCATION INFORMATION The MDIFW Commissioner may , at their discretion , revoke the hunting privileges of anyone convicted of a hunting violation , or any violation of fish and wildlife laws . This is in addition to any penalties imposed by a court of law . Some violations result in a mandatory revocation ( summarized below ):
Minimum Mandatory Ten Year Revocation of Hunting Licenses If a person is convicted of Assault While Hunting [ 17A MRSA § 208 ( A )] and the offense occurred in the context of hunting activity , and if , through failure of the hunter to make proper target identification , the offense resulted in the injury or death of another person .
Minimum Mandatory Five Year Revocation of Hunting Licenses
• Shooting a domestic animal while hunting .
• Hunting under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs .
• Conviction of a violation of 17A MRSA while on a hunting or fishing trip or in the pursuit of wild animals , birds or fish and when the wounding or killing of a human being has occurred .
• Conviction of night hunting with night vision equipment or thermal imaging equipment .
Minimum Mandatory Three Year Revocation of ALL MDIFW Licenses
• Disturbing traps .
• Conviction of any of the violations listed within 12 MRSA § 10902-6 while having a firearm with a noise suppressor device .
Minimum Mandatory Two Year Revocation of ALL MDIFW Licenses
• Burglary or criminal trespass of a building located within any unorganized township .
• Theft of any equipment used for hunting , fishing and trapping .
• Theft of any animal which has been obtained by hunting or trapping and which was in the possession or control of the person who hunted or trapped the animal .
DISTURBING TRAPS
It is unlawful to take or disturb any trap or wild animal caught in a trap without permission from the owner of the trap . An individual convicted of disturbing a trap , will lose any license in effect , and be ineligible to purchase any license issued by the Department for 3 years .
KEEP YOUR LICENSE WITH YOU
You are required to keep an electronic and / or paper copy of your hunting license and any necessary permits with you while hunting or transporting wild birds and wild animals and , if requested to do so , must present it for inspection to any warden , law enforcement officer , MDIFW employee , guide or landowner upon whose land you are hunting .
Minimum Mandatory Two Year Revocation of Hunting Licenses
• Second offense of placing or hunting over bait for deer .
• A second violation of civil trespass with a hunting dog .
Hunting Offenses with a Minimum One Year License Revocation
• Illegally hunting and / or possessing deer , bear , or moose during closed season .
• Night hunting .
• Discharging a firearm within 100 yards of a building or residential dwelling without permission of the owner , or in the owner ’ s absence , an adult occupant who dwells in that location .
• Illegally buying and / or selling deer , bear , moose or wild turkeys .
• Illegally hunting / possessing wild turkeys including using illegal hunting methods .
• Hunting deer , bear , moose , or wild turkey after having killed one and / or exceeding the bag limit .
• First offense of placing or hunting over bait for deer .
• Destroying or tearing down a property posting sign .
• Hunting over another person ’ s bear bait without written permission from that person .
• Hunting under the influence of liquor or drugs .
• Hunting while license is revoked .
• Civil trespass with a hunting dog .
• Coyote night hunting without a permit .
• Coyote night hunting outside December 16th-August 31st .
Littering on WMAs In addition to penalties provided by Maine ’ s littering laws , a person convicted of littering on a state owned wildlife management area or sanctuary as defined in Title 12 shall surrender their hunting and / or fishing licenses for a period of up to one year .
Interstate Violations / Suspensions Maine is a participating member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact , an agreement that recognizes suspension of hunting , fishing , and trapping licenses across member states . This means that illegal activities in one state can affect a person ’ s hunting , fishing , or trapping privileges in all participating states as well . If a person plans to hunt , fish , or trap in another state , and they have a license suspension in Maine , it is their responsibility to contact the other state to see if they can legally hunt , fish , or trap in that state . Similarly , if someone is suspended or revoked in another state and plans to hunt in Maine , it is their responsibility to contact the Maine Warden Service to ensure their privilege to hunt in Maine is not revoked .
Suspension or Revocation of or Refusal to Issue a License or Permit Any conviction , adjudication , deferred disposition pursuant to Title 17‐A , section 1902 , subsection 1 or written filing agreement with the State for a violation of MDIFW Title 12 Part 13 laws is grounds for suspension of any license or permit issued under this Part . Except when provided by law , the commissioner shall determine the suspension period .
Refusal to Issue License or Permit If a person is convicted , is adjudicated , enters into a deferred disposition pursuant to Title 17‐A , section 1902 , subsection 1 or enters into a written filing agreement with the State in violation of MDIFW Title 12 Part 13 laws and is not the holder of a valid license or permit issued under this Part , the commissioner may refuse to issue a related license or permit to that person for up to 5 years following the date of conviction or adjudication , except when the killing or wounding of a human being has occurred , in which case the commissioner may refuse to issue the license or permit for a period of not less than 5 years .
Failure to Pay Fine or Reinstatement Fee If a license , permit or registration is suspended pursuant to this section or Title 14 , section 3142 , the suspension remains in effect until the person pays the fine and the reinstatement fee .
2024-25 STATE OF MAINE SUMMARY OF LAWS & RULES HUNTING QUESTIONS ? CALL 207 287-8000