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GENERAL HUNTING LAWS
MINIMUM SHOOTING DISTANCES
Shooting within 100 Yards of Dwelling : It is unlawful to discharge any firearm or muzzleloader , or cause a projectile to pass as a result of that discharge , within 100 yards ( 300 feet ) of a building without permission from the owner or , in the owner ’ s absence , an adult occupant who dwells in that building . This provision also applies to state-owned boat launches that are posted accordingly . See page 29 for distance requirements when hunting on Bureau of Parks and Lands ( BPL ).
Discharge of Archery Equipment Near Dwelling or Building : it is unlawful to discharge an arrow or a bolt from archery equipment when on land of another person and within 100 yards of a building on that land without permission of the owner ( or in the owner ’ s absence , permission from an adult occupant ) of that building or cause an arrow or a bolt from archery equipment to pass across the land of another person and within 100 yards of a building on that land without the permission of the owner ( or in the owner ’ s absence , permission from an adult occupant ) of that building .
Definitions , as Used in This Section : Building means any residential , commercial , retail , educational , religious or farm structure that is designed to be occupied by people or domesticated animals or is being used to shelter machines or harvested crops . “ Projectile ” means a bullet , pellet , shot , shell , ball , arrow , bolt or other object propelled or launched from a firearm or archery equipment .
Hunting Under the Influence : It is unlawful to hunt while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs .
Possession of Hunting Equipment on Sunday : Possession of hunting equipment in the fields and forests or on the waters or ice of this state on Sunday is prima facie evidence of a violation of Sunday hunting law , unless the equipment is securely wrapped in a complete cover , fastened in a case , or carried in at least two separate pieces in such a way that it cannot be fired without the pieces being joined together ( for the purpose of this paragraph , a firearm clip , magazine , or cylinder is not considered a “ piece ”).
Archery equipment must be kept in a case or cover if broadheads or field points are kept attached to the arrows or bolts .
Exceptions : A person may possess hunting equipment on Sunday for legitimate activities such as target practice , sighting in rifles , etc ., or for persons carrying handguns as prescribed by Title 25 subsection 2001-A .
Airborne Hunting : A person on the ground or airborne may not use aircraft ( including drones & remote-controlled aircraft ) to aid or assist in hunting deer , bear , or moose .
Shooting from a Motor Vehicle or Motorboat or Possessing a Loaded Firearm or Archery Equipment in or on a Motor Vehicle : It is unlawful to shoot while in or on a motor vehicle , motorboat , snowmobile or ATV or have a loaded firearm or archery equipment while in or on a motor vehicle , trailer , or other type of vehicle being hauled by a motor vehicle except as specifically allowed .
Exemptions
• A holder of a valid Maine concealed weapon permit may carry a loaded pistol or revolver in a motor vehicle as prescribed by Title 25 subsection 2001A .
• Persons who are at least 21 years of age , or are at least 18 years of age and a member or honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces or National Guard , may carry a loaded pistol or revolver in or on a motor vehicle if they are not otherwise prohibited from carrying a firearm . Upon contact with a law enforcement officer , a person carrying a concealed handgun without a permit must notify the officer immediately .
• Paraplegics and leg amputees may shoot from a motor vehicle that is not in motion .
• Migratory waterfowl may be hunted from a motorboat in accordance with federal regulation .
• While hunting , a person who is not in or on a vehicle may rest a loaded firearm or archery equipment that is under the person ' s control on the vehicle to shoot only when the vehicle is not in motion and the engine of the vehicle is not running .
• A person may shoot from a motorboat if that boat is not being propelled by the motor and forward momentum of the boat has stopped . However , the wanton waste law allows you to shoot crippled waterfowl from a motorboat under power on coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams lying seaward of the first upstream bridge .
• A person who is hunting and is on but not within an enclosed area or passenger compartment of an ATV or snowmobile may shoot a firearm or archery equipment or rest a loaded firearm or archery equipment that is under the person ’ s control on the ATV or snowmobile to shoot only when the vehicle is not in motion and the engine is off .
• While target shooting , not hunting , a person who is on but not within an enclosed area or passenger compartment of a vehicle may shoot a firearm or archery equipment or rest a loaded firearm or archery equipment that is under their control on the vehicle to shoot only when the vehicle isn ’ t in motion and the engine is off .
Note : A loaded magazine may be carried in a motor vehicle , but it must not be inserted in , or attached to a firearm ; a crossbow may be carried as long it is not cocked and armed ; a muzzleloader is considered to be loaded only if charged with powder , projectile and a primed ignition device or mechanism .
Shooting From or Over a Public Paved Way : A person may not shoot or discharge any firearm or archery equipment at any wild animal or bird from any public paved way ( any road treated with bituminous or concrete material ), from within 10 feet of the edge of its pavement , or from the right-of-way of any controlled access highway .
Shooting of Domestic Animals : It is unlawful for any person , while hunting to negligently , carelessly , or willfully shoot and wound or kill any domestic animal or bird .
Firearms on School Property : Possession of a firearm on public school property or discharging one within 500 feet of school property , except as used in supervised educational programs or by law enforcement officials , is illegal .
Harassment of Lawful Hunter or Trapper : It is unlawful for any person to willfully interfere with the lawful hunting or trapping of any wild animal or wild bird , including the willful disturbance of wild animals or wild birds with intent to interfere with their lawful taking .
Disposal of Remains : A person may not dispose of a carcass , waste parts or remains of a wild animal , except as a result of normal field dressing of a lawfully harvested wild animal or the lawful use of waste parts or remains of a wild animal as bait .
Dispose of any of entrails by deep burial . Disposal of dead animals or animal parts is illegal in dumps and landfills . A person may not dispose of the parts not presented for registration where they are visible to a person traveling on a public or private way .
POSSESSION OF GIFT BEAR , DEER , MOOSE , OR WILD TURKEY A person may not accept as a gift any part of a bear , deer , moose , or wild turkey unless that animal , or part thereof , is plainly labeled with the name and address of the person who registered it and the year it was registered .
2024-25 STATE OF MAINE SUMMARY OF LAWS & RULES HUNTING QUESTIONS ? CALL 207 287-8000