09-137-16 Me. Code R. § 07

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 137-16-07 - Deer Hunting

1.Deer Hunting Seasons/Days

2.Antlerless Deer Hunting Restrictions

3.Application Process for Antlerless Deer Permits

4.Antlerless Deer Permit Allocations by WMD or portion of WMD

5.Application and Allocation Process for Landowner Antlerless Deer Permits

6.Expanded Archery Areas Open to Hunting of Deer

7.Deer Hunting Special Regulations and Closures

1.Deer Hunting Seasons/Days

A.Expanded Archery Season: There shall be an expanded archery deer hunting season as established under 12 M.R.S. §11401 from the first Saturday following Labor Day until the last day of the extended Muzzleloading Season. A person may not kill and register a deer as an expanded archery season kill during the expanded archery season in an expanded archery area unless that person uses archery equipment and in accordance with 12 M.R.S. §11214, subsection 1, paragraph P and Q. Any person who possesses an archery license under 12 M.R.S. §11403 is eligible to purchase expanded archery permits as provided in 12 M.R.S. §11153. Only 1 expanded archery either-sex permit may be purchased which authorizes the take of either an antlered deer or an antlerless deer; multiple expanded archery antlerless deer permits may be purchased. A person must use expanded archery permit(s) to kill and register a deer as an expanded archery season kill during the expanded archery season in an expanded archery area. A person may not kill and register an antlered deer as an expanded archery antlered deer kill except under the authority of the expanded archery either-sex permit. See Section 16.07-6. for areas open to expanded archery.

B.Regular Archery Deer Hunting Season: There shall be an open season for the purpose of hunting deer with archery equipment prior to the regular firearm deer season as provided within 12 M.R.S. §11403, starting on the Saturday 30 days prior to the opening day of the regular firearms deer season (including Sundays). The season shall end on the Friday preceding the opening day of the regular firearms deer season.

C."Youth Deer Hunt": This hunt is established in accordance with 12 M.R.S. §11402.

(1)When the hunt occurs: The youth deer hunt occurs on the Friday and Saturday preceding the residents-only Saturday of the regular deer season.

(2)Who may participate and with what methods: During the designated youth deer hunt, holders of a valid junior hunting license may hunt deer with either a firearm, or archery equipment, and must be in the presence of and under the effective control of an adult supervisor as defined by Title 12 §11108-C.

(3)Supervision of a youth hunter: The parent, guardian or qualified adult shall not possess a firearm, or archery equipment, while accompanying a youth hunter during the youth deer hunt except that the supervisor may carry a handgun pursuant to 25 M.R.S. §2001-A, sub-§2, ¶A-1 but it may not be carried for the purpose of hunting.

(4)Deer that may be taken on this day: Only one antlered deer may be taken except that on designated days and in designated WMDs, junior hunters may take an antlerless or antlered deer. Junior hunters may take additional deer if they possess antlerless deer permits. If only a portion of a WMD is designated in accordance with 12 M.R.S. §11152 2-A, junior hunters may take an antlerless or antlered deer but only on designated days and in the designated area of the WMD.

(5)Laws that apply on this day: Except as otherwise provided, all laws pertaining to the regular firearm deer season apply on this day.

D.Regular Firearms Deer Hunting Season: The regular firearms deer hunting season shall be from the 4^th Monday preceding Thanksgiving to the Saturday following Thanksgiving statewide, as provided within 12 M.R.S. §11401.

E."Resident's Only Deer Hunting Day": This day is established in accordance with 12 M.R.S. §11401 and allows Maine residents to hunt deer on the Saturday preceding the regular firearm deer season with the following exception:

(1)"Nonresident Exception to Resident's Only Deer Hunting Day": Any nonresident hunter who meets the requirements established in 12 M.R.S. §11401, sub-§1, ¶E must also be able to verify that they meet the qualifications when hunting on the Saturday preceding the first day of the open season on deer. The hunter must carry on their person, verification that the hunter is the lawful owner of 25 acres or more of land in the state and be prepared to provide such proof for inspection by the Commissioner or the Commissioner's agent upon request. This verification, at a minimum, shall include the name of the hunter, the town, number of acres and may include additional information such as the Map, Plan and Lot number. The department shall provide a form that is available to these landowners and the form must have the necessary information provided and be signed by the landowner. The Commissioner or Commissioner's agent may inspect the property to confirm legality. This verification shall also be used when registering a deer killed on this day.

F.Muzzleloading Deer Hunting Season: There shall be an open season on deer statewide on the first six hunting days after the regular deer hunting season for the purpose of hunting with a muzzleloading firearm, as provided within 12 M.R.S. §11404. In Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 29 the season extends for an additional 6 hunting days.

2.Antlerless Deer Hunting Restrictions

A.Definition of Antlerless Deer: For the purpose of these rules, the term "antlerless deer" means any deer which does not have antlers or any deer which has antlers less than three inches in length measured from the skull.

B.Definition of Antlerless Deer Permit: This permit authorizes a hunter to take an antlerless deer in addition to the statewide annual bag limit of 1 deer as provided within 12 M.R.S. §11501 sub-§1. Persons who receive this permit may use the permit to take only an antlerless deer in the WMD or deer management subunit for which the permit was authorized. A permit holder may take an antlerless deer under the authority of this permit during any open deer season except expanded archery under the provisions that apply during that open season. A hunter must also possess a valid hunting license for the season in which they hunt. Antlerless deer taken under the authority of an antlerless deer permit may be taken before or after any other deer that may legally be taken.

C.When antlerless deer cannot be taken: In the following circumstances a person may not take an antlerless deer:

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess an antlerless deer taken by hunting during the regular and muzzleloading seasons on deer, except as provided within paragraph D.

(2) It shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take antlerless deer without a permit during the regular archery season or during the youth deer hunt in any WMD or deer management subunit that has not been designated as open to antlerless deer hunting without a permit during that season and on that day by the Commissioner.

(3) It shall be unlawful for a person who has been selected for an antlerless deer permit to take or attempt to take antlerless deer outside the WMD or deer management subunit designated on the antlerless deer permit they are assigned.

D.When antlerless deer can be taken: In the following circumstances a person may take an antlerless deer:

(1) Within an expanded archery area with the appropriate expanded archery permits and as provided in the areas described within 16.07 (7.);

(2) When a person has an antlerless deer permit they may take an antlerless deer only in the WMD or deer management subunit for which the permit is authorized;

(3) During the regular archery season a hunter may take an antlerless deer without an antlerless deer permit but only in a WMD that has been designated as open to antlerless deer hunting without a permit during this season;

(4) During the regular archery season a hunter may take an antlerless deer without an antlerless deer permit in the portion of a WMD that has been designated as open to antlerless deer hunting without a permit during this season.

(5) When a person has an antlerless deer permit, they may take an antlerless deer during the regular archery season, regular firearms deer season and muzzleloading deer hunting season, only in the WMD or deer management subunit for which the antlerless deer permit is authorized;

(6) During the youth deer hunt a youth hunter may take an antlerless deer without an antlerless deer permit only in WMDs that are designated as open to antlerless deer hunting without a permit during this season and on that day; or

(7) During the youth deer hunt a youth hunter may take an antlerless deer without an antlerless deer permit in the portion of a WMD that has been designated as open to antlerless deer hunting without a permit during this season and on that day.

(8) Any qualifying landowner as described within section 16.07-4. & 5. who receives a landowner antlerless deer permit may take an antlerless deer only on land on which they are legally entitled to hunt within the WMD or deer management subunit for which the antlerless deer permit is authorized.

(9) Antlerless deer harvested without a permit in accordance with 16.07-2 (D), 3, 4, 6, and 7 are not additional to the statewide annual bag limit of 1 deer.

3.Application Process for Antlerless Deer Permits

A.WMD Selection and Assignment

(1) Applicants may apply for an antlerless deer permit in up to two preferred WMDs or deer management subunits but may only receive one permit for one WMD or deer management subunit to hunt within.

(2) Selection of permit holders will be done by WMD or deer management subunit. Permittees will be chosen through chance drawings and will be assigned to a WMD or deer management subunit using their preferences as indicated on their application.

B. No person may file more than one application for an antlerless deer permit. Any person who submits more than one application shall be disqualified from the selection of permittees.

C. Except as otherwise provided in Subsection F. each applicant must:

(1) Possess a valid Maine hunting license to hunt deer to apply for an antlerless deer hunting permit, and

(2) Accurately and completely record the number of his or her valid Maine hunting license on the application. For the purposes of this section, the number of the valid Maine hunting license, is the number of the license originally issued to the individual and not the number of a duplicate license subsequently issued.

D. Each permittee will be assigned to hunt antlerless deer within one of the WMDs for which they applied or a portion of an WMD for which they applied.

E. All WMD or deer management subunit assignments made as a result of the chance drawing will be final.

F.Resident Landowner: Any resident landowner and any member of his immediate family who may hunt without a license, as provided in Title 12, M.R.S. §11108, may apply for a permit to hunt antlerless deer without benefit of a hunting license provided that:

(1) They complete a special landowner affidavit provided by the Commissioner, and meet the requirements as established within Title 12, M.R.S. §11108.

4.Antlerless Deer Permit Allocations by WMD or portion of WMD

A.Number of Permits in each WMD and Antlerless Harvest without a Permit During the Youth Hunt and Regular Archery Seasons: Except as otherwise provided in Sections 16.07- 1 and 6 (expanded archery area antlerless deer permits), the number of antlerless deer hunting permits to be allocated in 2024 for each WMD or deer management subunit shall not exceed the numbers listed below. The WMDs or deer management subunits in which antlerless harvest without a permit is allowed during the Youth Hunt and regular archery seasons and the days on which antlerless harvest without a permit is allowed during the Youth Hunt are designated below in the "Youth Hunt Antlerless w/out Permit" and "Reg. Archery Antlerless w/out Permit" table columns.

B.

WMD or Subunit	# of Permits	Youth Hunt- Antlerless w/out Permit	Reg. Archery- Antlerless w/out Permit	WMD or Subunit	# of Permits	Youth Hunt- Antlerless w/out Permit	Reg. Archery-Antlerless w/out Permit
1	0	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	17	13,870	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
2	0	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	18	380	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
3	55	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	19	25	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
4	0	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	20	7,190	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
5	0	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	21	15,700	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
6	250	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	22	13,810	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
7	980	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	23	18,990	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
8	745	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	24	10,325	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
9	175	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	25	18,470	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
10	95	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	26	3,995	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
11	120	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	27	275	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
12	675	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	28	40	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
13	1,155	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	29	2,645	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
14	640	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	26a	400	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
15	9,085	Fri. + Sat.	Yes
16	7,940	Fri. + Sat.	Yes	Total Permits: 128,030

C.Selection of Permits: Selection of permit holders will be done by WMD or deer management subunit. Permittees will be chosen through one round of chance drawings from among all applicants who have applied for an antlerless deer permit in that WMD or deer management subunit. Permits not distributed through this chance drawing and any permits issued through the lottery that are not purchased by a date specified by the Department will be available for sale in accordance with 12 M.R.S. §11152, sub-§3.

D.Percentage for Residents: Eighty-five percent (85%) of the total number of permits allocated to each WMD or deer management subunit shall be issued to residents if sufficient residents apply.

E.Percentage for Non-Residents: In accordance with 12 M.R.S. §11152 no more than fifteen percent (15%) of the total number of permits allocated to each WMD or deer management subunit shall be issued to non-residents if sufficient non-residents apply.

F.Insufficient Applicants: Once all permits that may be allocated through the lottery system have been allocated, remaining permits will be made available for purchase in accordance with 12 M.R.S. §11152, sub-§3.

G.Disqualification: No person may file more than one application for an antlerless deer permit. Any person who submits more than one application shall be disqualified from the selection of permittees.

H.Deer Management Subunits

(1) Subunit 26a:

Beginning on the eastern shore of the Penobscot River at the I-395 bridge in Brewer; east on I-395 to US-1A; east on US-1A to the intersection of US-1A and ME-46 in Holden; south on ME-46 to ME-15(US-1) in Orland; east and then southeast on ME-15 to the intersection of ME-15 and ME-199 in Penobscot; south on ME-199 to the intersection of ME-199 and ME-166 in Castine; north on ME-166 to the crossing of Clements Brook in Penobscot; along Clements Brook west to the eastern shore of the Penobscot River in Penobscot; following the eastern shore of the Penobscot River north to the first upstream bridge (ME-175) across the Orland River in Orland; crossing the Orland River and following the western shore of the Orland River south around Gross Point in Orland; following the eastern shore of the Eastern Channel north to the US-1 bridge (Verona Bridge) in Bucksport; following the eastern shore of the Penobscot River north to the I-395 bridge in Brewer. Verona Island is considered part of subunit 26a. However, islands surrounding Verona Island that are considered part of WMD 29 are not considered part of subunit 26a.

5.Application and Allocation Process for Landowner Antlerless Deer Permits

A.Requirements to apply for Landowner Antlerless Deer Permit Drawing: Any resident landowner and any dependent living in a landowner's household who may hunt without a license, as provided in Title 12, M.R.S. §11108, may apply for an antlerless deer permit to hunt antlerless deer without benefit of a hunting license provided that:

(1) They complete the special landowner antlerless deer permit portion of the antlerless deer permit application; and

(2) They attest that the information provided is true and accurate.

B. The antlerless deer permit number assigned to such landowner or member of their immediate family shall only be valid for land on which they are legally entitled to hunt.

C.Percentage of Landowner Antlerless Deer Permits: Up to 25% of the antlerless deer permits in each WMD or deer management subunit will be available to qualifying landowners in a special drawing in accordance with Title 12, M.R.S. §11152 - 4.

(1) Any resident landowner and any dependent living in a landowner's household is eligible for the landowner antlerless deer permit drawing if the person owns a particular piece of land that is:

(a) 25 or more contiguous acres in size;

(b) is agricultural, forested or undeveloped land; and

(c) open to hunting including hunting by permission.

(2) Any shareholder in a corporation which qualifies under the Internal Revenue Service Code as a Chapter S corporation is eligible for the landowner antlerless deer permit drawing if that land is:

(a) 25 or more contiguous acres in size;

(b) is agricultural, forested or undeveloped land; open to hunting including hunting by permission; and

(c) the principle business of the corporation is forestry or agriculture.

(3) Dependents of shareholders are not eligible.

D. A landowner applicant must provide the information requested on the special landowner application in addition to completing the standard application.

E.Landowner Antlerless Deer Permit Drawing: Landowner antlerless deer permits will be randomly drawn prior to the general drawing. When an insufficient number of landowner applicants apply in a WMD or deer management subunit for the amount of antlerless deer permits available, all landowner applicants will receive an antlerless deer permit and the remaining permits will be returned to the general drawing. Any landowner applicant who is not drawn in the special landowner drawing will be returned to the pool of applicants for the general permit drawing.

F. Any landowner antlerless deer permit applicant who receives a permit as a result of this drawing and is found to have not met the eligibility requirements will have the permit immediately revoked and will be prohibited from applying for an antlerless deer permit for two years.

6.Expanded Archery Areas Open to Hunting of Deer

The expanded archery deer hunting season will be open only in the following areas:

A.Portion of WMD 24

Beginning at the Interstate Highway #95 bridge at the Maine-New Hampshire border in Kittery; then following Interstate Highway #95 easterly to State Route #91 in York; then following State Route #91 southeasterly to U.S. Route #1; then following U.S. Route #1 northeasterly to the north shore of the Cape Neddick River; then following the shore easterly to Shore Road; then following Shore Road northerly to Bourne Lane; then following Bourne Lane westerly to U.S. Route #1; then following U.S. Route #1 northerly to State Route #35 (Summer Street) in Kennebunk; then following State Route #35 southeasterly to State Route #9; then following State Route #9 northerly to the junction of State Route #9 and State Route #208 in Biddeford; then following State Route #208 northwesterly beyond the first intersection of State Route #208 and Meetinghouse Road to the northwest intersection of State Route #208 and Meetinghouse Road; then following Meetinghouse Road southeasterly to Guinea Road; then following Guinea Road southwesterly to Proctor Road; then following Proctor Road westerly to U.S. Route #1; then following U.S. Route #1 southerly to the railroad tracks; then following the railroad tracks northerly to the Biddeford Turnpike Access Road; then following the access road northwesterly to State Route #111; then following State Route #111 southwesterly to Interstate Highway #95; then following Interstate Highway #95 northeasterly to exit #52 (Falmouth Spur); then following Falmouth Spur easterly to the railroad tracks in Portland; then following the railroad tracks northeasterly to Interstate Highway #295 in Freeport; then following Interstate Highway #295 northeasterly to the Androscoggin River bridge in Brunswick; then following the western shore of the Androscoggin River easterly to the western shore of the Kennebec River in Bath; then following the western shore of the Kennebec River southerly to the Atlantic Ocean in Phippsburg; then following the coast of Maine southwesterly to the Maine-New Hampshire border in Kittery; then following the Maine-New Hampshire border northerly to the point of origin at the Interstate Highway #95 bridge across the Maine-New Hampshire border in Kittery.

Note: Islands that are part of WMD 24 and connected to the mainland part of the WMD 24 expanded archery area at low tide or by man-made structures are considered part of the WMD 24 expanded archery area.

B.Coastal Islands of WMD 27

Coastal islands that are part of WMD 27 and not connected to the mainland part of WMD 27 at low tide or by man-made structures are considered part of the Coastal Islands of WMD 27 expanded archery area.

C.WMD 29

Refer to 16.15- WMD 29.

D.Towns of Eliot, Kittery, and South Berwick

Beginning at the junction of the Maine-New Hampshire border and the Interstate Highway #95 bridge over the Piscataqua River in Kittery; then following the Maine-New Hampshire border northwesterly and northerly to the State Route #101 bridge in Eliot; then following State Route #101 southeasterly to the junction of Interstate Highway #95; then following Interstate Highway #95 southwesterly to the point of origin at the junction of the Maine-New Hampshire border and the Interstate Highway #95 bridge over the Piscataqua River in Kittery.

E.Towns of Cumberland, Falmouth, North Yarmouth, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, Westbrook, Windham, and Yarmouth

Beginning at the junction of Interstate Highway #95 and Broadturn Road in Scarborough; then following Broadturn Road westerly to Holmes Road; then following Holmes Road northeasterly to Beech Ridge Road; then following Beech Ridge Road northerly to Saco Street; then following Saco Street northerly to Main Street in Westbrook; then following Main Street easterly to Bridge Street; then following Bridge Street northerly to Cumberland Street; then following Cumberland Street northwesterly to River Road; then following River Road northwesterly to Anderson Road; then following Anderson Road northeasterly to Hardy Road in Falmouth; then following Hardy Road northeasterly to Duck Pond Road; then following Duck Pond Road easterly to Mast Road; then following Mast Road northerly to Blackstrap Road; then following Blackstrap Road northerly to Skillin Road in Cumberland; then following Skillin Road northeasterly to Blanchard Road; then following Blanchard Road northwesterly to Orchard Road; then following Orchard Road northeasterly to Haskell Road; then following Haskell Road northeasterly to State Route #115 in North Yarmouth; then following State Route #115 southeasterly to the power line corridor; then following the southern edge of the power line corridor northeasterly to the intersection with North Road; then following North Road easterly to Milliken Road; then following Milliken Road northeasterly to West Pownal Road; then following West Pownal Road southerly to Hallowell Road; then following Hallowell Road northeasterly to Royal Road; then following Royal Road southeasterly to Hodsdon Road; then following Hodsdon Road southeasterly to Granite Street; then following Granite Street southeasterly to the railroad tracks in Yarmouth; then following the railroad tracks southwesterly to the Maine Turnpike exit #9 access road in Portland; then following the access road westerly to Interstate Highway #95; then following Interstate Highway #95 southerly to the point of origin at the junction of Interstate Highway #95 and Broadturn Road in Scarborough.

F.Towns of Auburn, Hebron, Lewiston, Lisbon, Minot, and Sabattus

Beginning at the junction of Interstate Highway #495 and the Androscoggin River in Lewiston; then following the Androscoggin River southerly approximately five miles to a point directly south of the southern terminus of Hatch Road in Lisbon; then overland northerly to the southern terminus of Hatch Road; then following Hatch Road northerly to Ferry Road; then following Ferry Road westerly to Pinewoods Road; then following Pinewoods Road northeasterly to Cotton Road; then following Cotton Road northwesterly and beyond its terminus to the crossing with Salmon Brook; then following Salmon Brook northeasterly to the crossing of Moody Road; then following Moody Road easterly to State Route #196 (Lisbon Street); then following State Route #196 northerly to Littlefield Road; then following Littlefield Road northerly to Lisbon Road in Sabattus; then following Lisbon Road northerly to State Route #126; then following State Route #126 southwesterly to the double Central Maine Power line in Lewiston; then following the power line northwesterly and then westerly to the southwest corner of Gulf Island Pond on the Androscoggin River; then following the power line northwesterly and then westerly to Brighton Hill Road; then following Brighton Hill Road southeasterly to Death Valley Road; then following Death Valley Road southerly to Marstons Hill Road; then following Marstons Hill Road southerly to Center Minot Hill Road; then following Center Minot Hill Road southerly to Garfield Road; then following Garfield Road southeasterly to Minot Avenue; then following Minot Avenue westerly to Merrow Road; then following Merrow Road southeasterly to Hotel Road; then following Hotel Road southerly to Kitty Hawk Avenue; then following Kitty Hawk Avenue southeasterly to Interstate Highway #495; then following Interstate Highway #495 northeasterly to the point of origin at the junction of Interstate Highway #495 and the Androscoggin River in Lewiston.

G.Towns of Augusta, Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, and West Gardiner

Beginning at the intersection of State Route #105 and Church Hill Road in Augusta; then following Church Hill Road northerly to Stevens Road; then following Stevens Road westerly to Riverside Drive (U.S. Route #201/State Route #100); then following Riverside Drive southerly to the Central Maine Power lines (south of Sherwood Drive); then following the CMP lines westerly across the Kennebec River and Interstate Highway #95 to the intersection with Old Belgrade Road (State Route #3); then following Old Belgrade Road northwesterly to Civic Center Drive (State Route #8); then following Civic Center Drive southerly to Leighton Road; then following Leighton Road southerly to Old Winthrop Road; then following Old Winthrop Road easterly to Interstate Highway #95; then following Interstate Highway #95 southerly to State Route #126 in West Gardiner; then following State Route #126 easterly to U.S. Route #201; then following U.S. Route #201 southerly to Marston Road; then following Marston Road southerly to Capen Road; then following Capen Road easterly to River Avenue (State Route #24) and easterly to the western shore of the Kennebec River; then following the western shore of the Kennebec River northerly to a point directly west of the Ferry Road boat landing in Chelsea; then crossing the Kennebec River easterly to the Ferry Road boat landing; then following Ferry Road easterly to Hallowell Road; then following Hallowell Road easterly to Cony Road; then following Cony Road northerly until it crosses State Route #105 (South Belfast Avenue) and becomes Church Hill Road at the point of origin at the intersection of State Route #105 and Church Hill Road in Augusta.

H.Towns of Benton, Fairfield, Oakland, Sidney, Waterville, and Winslow

Beginning at the intersection of the Kennebec River and Interstate Highway #95 in Fairfield; then following Interstate Highway #95 southerly to the intersection with Messalonskee Stream; then following Messalonskee Stream upstream to the intersection with State Route #23/Middle Road in Oakland; then following Middle Road southerly to Trafton Road; then following Trafton Road easterly to State Route #104 in Waterville; then following State Route #104 southerly to the intersection with the Sidney/Waterville town line; then following the town line easterly to the eastern shore of the Kennebec River; then following the eastern shore of the Kennebec River northerly to the intersection with Chaffee Brook in Winslow; then following Chaffee Brook easterly to the intersection with U.S. Route #201; then following U.S. Route #201 northerly to Carter Memorial Drive; then following Carter Memorial Drive easterly to State Route #137; then following State Route #137 easterly to the intersection with Outlet Stream to the Sebasticook River; then following the western shore of Outlet Stream northerly to the Sebasticook River; then crossing the Sebasticook River to the western shore of the Sebasticook River; then following the western shore of the Sebasticook River northerly to a point directly east of the eastern terminus of Heywood Road; then overland westerly to the eastern terminus of Heywood Road; then following Heywood Road westerly to Benton Avenue; then following Benton Avenue northerly to Interstate Highway #95 in Benton; then following Interstate Highway #95 westerly to the point of origin at the intersection of the Kennebec River and Interstate Highway #95 in Fairfield.

I.Towns of Camden, Owl's Head, Rockland, Rockport, and Thomaston

Beginning at the intersection of U.S. Route #1 and State Route #52 (Mountain Street) in Camden; then following State Route #52 northwesterly to Beaucaire Avenue; then following Beaucaire Avenue westerly to Molyneaux Road; then following Molyneaux Road southwesterly to Melvin Heights Road; then following Melvin Heights Road southeasterly to Upper Mechanic Street; then following Upper Mechanic Street easterly to Mechanic Street; then following Mechanic Street easterly to John Street; then following John Street southeasterly to U.S. Route #1; then following U.S. Route #1 southerly to South Street in Rockport; then following South Street northwesterly to Porter Street; then following Porter Street westerly to State Route #17; then following State Route #17 northerly to Rockville Street; then following Rockville Street westerly to Old Rockland Street; then following Old Rockland Street southerly to Gurney Street; then following Gurney Street westerly to Bog Road in Rockland; then following Bog Road southerly to Mountain Road; then following Mountain Road southeasterly to West Meadow Road; then following West Meadow Road southerly to Thompson Road; then following Thompson Road easterly to Old County Road in Rockland; then following Old County Road southwesterly to Dexter Street in Thomaston; then following Dexter Street southeasterly to U.S. Route #1; then following U.S. Route #1 southwesterly to Buttermilk Lane; then following Buttermilk Lane southerly to the intersection with the Weskeag River; then following the eastern shore of the Weskeag River southerly to the Atlantic Ocean; then following the shore of the Atlantic Ocean easterly and then northerly to the mouth of Great Brook in Camden; then following Great Brook westerly to its intersection with U.S. Route #1; then following U.S. Route #1 southerly to the point of origin at the intersection of U.S. Route #1 and Mountain Street in Camden.

J.Towns of Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Hermon, Old Town, Orono, and Veazie

Beginning at a point on the western shore of the Penobscot River directly east of the eastern terminus of Kincaid Road in Hampden; then overland westerly to the eastern terminus of Kincaid Road; then following Kincaid Road westerly to U.S. Route #1A; then following U.S. Route #1A northerly to Kennebec Road; then following Kennebec Road westerly to the intersection with the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad tracks; then following the railroad tracks northerly to the intersection with State Route #15 in Bangor; then following State Route #15 easterly to Pushaw Road; then following Pushaw Road northerly to Church Road; then following Church Road northeasterly to Essex Street; then following Essex Street northerly to Forest Avenue in Orono; then following Forest Avenue easterly to Stillwater Avenue; then following Stillwater Avenue northerly to Interstate Highway #95; then following Interstate Highway #95 northerly to State Route #43 in Old Town; then following State Route #43 easterly to the intersection with the Stillwater River and the shore of Marsh Island; then following the shore of Marsh Island and the Stillwater River northerly and easterly to the Penobscot River; then following the shore of Marsh Island and the Penobscot River southerly to a point at the confluence of the Penobscot River and Eaton Brook in Brewer; then following Eaton Brook southerly to the intersection of State Route #9; then following State Route #9 westerly to Day Road; then following Day Road southerly to Lambert Road; then following Lambert Road westerly to the intersection with the Bangor Hydro transmission line; then following the transmission line southwesterly to Wilson Street; then following Wilson Street southeasterly to the eastbound lane of Interstate Highway #395; then following the eastbound lane of Interstate Highway #395 westerly to the Maine Electric Power Company transmission line; then following the transmission line southwesterly to the intersection with the railroad tracks; then following the railroad tracks westerly to the intersection with Green Point Road; then following Green Point Road southerly to Wiswell Road; then following Wiswell Road westerly to Elm Street; then following Elm Street westerly to the intersection with Sedgeunkedunk Stream; then following Sedgeunkedunk Stream westerly to the eastern shore of the Penobscot River; then following the eastern shore of the Penobscot River southerly to a point on the eastern shore of the Penobscot River directly east of the eastern terminus of Kincaid Road in Hampden; then crossing the Penobscot River westerly to the point of origin at a point on the western shore of the Penobscot River directly east of the eastern terminus of Kincaid Road in Hampden.

K.Town of Castine

That portion of Castine that is south of Wadsworth Cove, the British Canal, and Hatch Cove, referred to locally as Castine "on-neck."

L.Town of Bucksport

Beginning at a point on the eastern side of State Route #15/River Road where the Central Maine Power line right of way intersects State Route #15; then following the right of way northeasterly to a point where it intersects a second CMP right of way extending generally in an east to west direction; then following the second CMP right of way easterly until it intersects Silver Lake Road; then following Silver Lake Road northerly to a point where the road right of way intersects the southern shore of Silver Lake; then following the southern shore of Silver Lake northeasterly and then southeasterly to a point where the shore intersects the access road leading from Central Street to the Silver Lake dam; then following the access road easterly to Central Street; then following Central Street northeasterly to Race Course Road; then following Race Course Road easterly and then easterly beyond its eastern terminus to the northeastern corner of the land of the Penobscot Nursing Home; then following the eastern line of the property of the Penobscot Nursing Home southerly to the CMP right of way; then following the right of way easterly to State Route #46; then following State Route #46 southwesterly to U.S. Route #1; then following U.S. Route #1 approximately 250 meters westerly to the Bucksport/Orland town line; then following the Bucksport/Orland town line southwesterly to the northern shore of the Penobscot River; then following the northern shore of the Penobscot River westerly to a point where the eastern line of the property owned by Hannaford Brothers intersects the northern shore of the Penobscot River; then following the eastern line of the property owned by Hannaford Brothers northerly to U.S. Route #1; then following U.S. Route #1 westerly to Hincks Street; then following Hincks Street northerly to Pond Street; then following Pond Street easterly to Wenbelle Drive; then following Wenbelle Drive northerly to Broadway; then following Broadway easterly to a point where the southeastern corner of property owned by the town and referred to as the Miles Lane Property intersects Broadway; then following the eastern line of the Miles Lane Property northerly to the CMP right of way; then following the CMP right of way easterly to a point where the southeastern corner of land owned by the town and referred to as the New Middle School Property intersects the CMP right of way; then following the eastern line of the New Middle School property northerly to the northeastern corner of the New Middle School Property; then following the northern line of the New Middle School Property westerly to the northwestern corner of the New Middle School Property; then following the western line of the New Middle School Property southerly to the CMP right of way; then following the CMP right of way westerly to a point where Forest Hill Street intersects the CMP right of way; then following Forest Hill Street southerly to Broadway; then following Broadway westerly to Central Street; then following Central Street southerly to School Street; then following School Street northwesterly to MacDonald Street; then following MacDonald Street southerly to Scott's Lane; then following Scott's Lane westerly to a point where Scott's Lane intersects the eastern line of the property owned by Webber Tanks; then following the eastern line of the property owned by Webber Tanks southerly to the southeastern corner of the land owned by Webber Tanks; then following the southern line of the property owned by Webber Tanks westerly to State Route #15/River Road; then following State Route #15 northwesterly to the point of origin at a point on the eastern side of State Route #15/River Road where the Central Maine Power line right of way intersects State Route #15.

7.Deer Hunting Special Regulations and Closures

The following special regulations and closures are provided in accordance with the commissioner's authority under Title 12, M.R.S. §11402.

A.Cumberland County: The area within Prout's Neck including: Richmond's Island, Cape Elizabeth Sanctuary described below shall be open to deer hunting with bow and arrow only during any open hunting season that allows archery hunting of deer and during the regular firearms deer season in Cumberland County. The area open to hunting shall be the land comprising 1,600 acres, more or less, situated in said Town of Cape Elizabeth, and bounded as follows: Southeasterly and southerly by the low watermark of the Atlantic Ocean, westerly by the low watermark of the Spurwink River, northerly by the Spurwink road, so-called, leading from Spurwink Bridge to Bowery Beach, easterly by a certain private road or way which runs in a southerly direction from the aforesaid Spurwink Road to said Bowery Beach, being the road which runs in front of the dwelling house of one Charles L. Jordan, and along the easterly boundary of land of said Charles L. Jordan, and along the westerly boundary of land of the Great Pond Club, but not including any portion of said Bowery Beach.

B.Hancock County:

(1)The whole of Cranberry Isles: shall be open to the hunting of deer with a shotgun or archery equipment during any open hunting season that allows a shotgun or archery equipment to be used to hunt deer.

(2)The whole of Frenchboro: is open to the hunting of deer during any open deer hunting season. All other laws and rules relating to deer hunting shall apply.

(3)Mount Desert Island: shall have a continual closed season on deer.

(4)Swans Island in the Town of Swans Island: is open to the hunting of deer during any open deer hunting season. All other laws and rules relating to deer hunting shall apply.

C.Knox County:

(1)The area within the Beauchamp Sanctuary situated in Rockport and Camden: shall be open to archery hunting of deer during any open hunting season that allows archery equipment to be used to hunt deer.

(2)The Town of Isle au Haut and the islands within the confines of the Town of Isle au Haut: shall have a continual closed season on deer.

(3)The whole of Long Island in Long Island Plantation shall have a continual closed season on deer.

D.Penobscot County: Marsh Island, situated in City of Old Town: shall be open to the hunting of deer with a handheld bow and arrow only. All other laws and rules relating to deer hunting shall apply.

E.Waldo County: The Town of Islesboro, except that a person may hunt deer in that town with bow and arrow from the first day of the special archery season on deer, established in accordance with section 11403, subsection 2, to the end of the regular firearms season on deer of each calendar year.

F.Washington County:

(1)Cross Island shall have a continual closed season on deer.

(2)Scotch Island shall have a continual closed season on deer.

G.York County: The area within Drake's Island and Wells Sanctuaries, situated in the Town of Wells in the County of York: shall be open to the hunting of antlerless deer with a hand-held bow and arrow by permit only during a specified period between November 1 and January 30; permits may be issued by the department to licensed archery hunters authorized by a landowner. Each permit will specify the number and sex of the deer to be taken; eligible persons may obtain more than 1 permit. Deer taken under these permits are in addition to the statewide bag limit. The permit shall designate the timing and any other special conditions deemed necessary. All other laws and rules relating to deer hunting shall apply.

09-137 C.M.R. ch. 16, § 07