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GENERAL HUNTING LAWS
MINIMUM SHOOTING DISTANCES
Discharge of Firearm Near Dwelling or Building: 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.
The Department recommends the disposal of any 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.
2025-26 STATE OF MAINE SUMMARY OF LAWS & RULES HUNTING QUESTIONS? CALL 207 287-8000