09-137-5 Me. Code R. § 01

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 137-5-01 - State Owned Wildlife Management Areas, Shooting Ranges and Boat Launch Facilities

A.Hunting and Trapping

1. Unless otherwise provided, state-owned Wildlife Management Areas and Boat Launch Facilities shall be open to the hunting and trapping of all wild birds and animals under the provisions of state and federal laws and regulations relating to the hunting and trapping of wild birds and wild animals. Hunting and Trapping are prohibited within the boundaries of Shooting Ranges.

B.Use of Motor Driven Vehicles

1. The operation of any motor vehicle, excluding motorboats, within the boundaries of any state-owned Wildlife Management Area, Boat Launch Facility or Shooting Range is prohibited except as provided below.

a. Motor driven vehicles may be operated on roads unless roads are posted as closed or as restricted in 5.01(g)

b. Motor driven vehicles may be operated on trails designated for their use.

c. Motor driven vehicles may be operated in other areas where their use is specifically authorized.

2. This restriction will not apply to Department personnel on official business.

C.Use of Motorboats

The use of motorboats within the boundaries of any state-owned Wildlife Management Area is allowed except as restricted below.

1. Lt. Gordon Manual Wildlife Management Area, Hodgdon, Cary, and Linneus, Arroostook County. From January 1 to June 30 each year, the operation of a motorboat is prohibited. From July 1 to December 31 each year, the operation of a motorboat with a motor of over 6 horsepower rating is prohibited.

2. Scarborough Marsh Wildlife Management Area, Scarborough, Cumberland County and Saco and Old Orchard Beach, York County. From March 1 to September 30 each year, the operation of a motorboat on that portion of the area upstream of the abandoned railroad right-of-way is prohibited.

3. Brownfield Wildlife Management Area, Brownfield, Fryeburg and Denmark, Oxford County. - From October 1 through November 30 each year, the operation of a motorboat is prohibited, except on Lovewell Pond, Fryeburg or on those water of the Saco River within the area.

4. These restrictions will not apply to Department personnel on official business

D.Camping

Camping and open fires on state-owned Wildlife Management Areas and Shooting Ranges are prohibited except at designated campsites.

E.Swimming

Swimming on state-owned Wildlife Management Areas and Shooting Ranges is prohibited except at designated locations.

F.Other Restrictions

1. Storage of personal property on state-owned Wildlife Management Areas, Shooting Ranges and Boat Launch Facilities is prohibited without the written permission of the Regional Wildlife Biologist.

2. Cutting of live or dead trees or collection of boughs (tipping) on state-owned Wildlife Management Areas, Shooting Ranges and Boat Launch Facilities is prohibited without the written permission of the Regional Wildlife Biologist.

3. The extraction or removal of sand or gravel on state-owned Wildlife Management Areas, Shooting Ranges and Boat Launch Facilities is prohibited without the written permission of the Regional Wildlife Biologist. Unauthorized removal or excavation of any material from berms at Shooting Ranges is prohibited.

4. The unauthorized disposal of any material, by-products or waste is prohibited on state-owned Wildlife Management Areas, Shooting Ranges and Boat Launch Facilities.

G.Area Specific Regulations

1.Kennebunk Plains Wildlife Management Area, Kennebunk, York County. From May 1 through September 30 each year, the following restrictions will apply.

a. Public use is prohibited between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

b. Dogs must be restrained by a leash and kept on roadways.

c. Operation of motor vehicles on roads is prohibited except parking in designated areas.

2.Scarborough Marsh Wildlife Management Area. The shooting of trap and skeet is prohibited unless written permission is obtained from the Regional Wildlife Biologist.

3.Lt. Gordon Manuel Wildlife Management Area. The filling of spray tanks is prohibited.

4.Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area (Swan Island) Perkins Township, Sagadahoc County

a.Operating Season Dates: The Wildlife Management Area is open for public use as follows.

1) Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area (Swan Island) is open to camping and day use from May 1 to October 30 annually.

2) For other times, permission must be obtained from the Regional Wildlife Biologist or facility manager to access Swan Island.

b.Fees: The Commissioner may establish reasonable fees for admission to Swan Island and Little Swan Island (Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area).

c.Public Access:

1) Access to the Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area (Swan Island) is undertaken at the risk of the individual.

2) Unauthorized use of the area by persons on snowmobiles and ATV's is prohibited, notwithstanding designated snowmobile trails allowed by the Department and maintained by local snowmobile clubs.

3) Campers will be limited to a stay of three (3) consecutive nights, unless extended by the facility manager or staff.

d.Restrictions on the use of the area:

1) Little Swan Island, portions of Swan Island and some historical buildings are restricted areas. Entrance into these areas or any area designated as restricted by the Department is by permission only; all visitors to restricted areas must be accompanied by Department personnel.

2)Supervision. All groups composed of minors under 16 years of age, must be accompanied by adult supervisors. A ratio of 1 supervisor for every 8 minors is required.

3)Fires: No person shall build or maintain an open fire except (i) at a campsite duly authorized and designated for open fires where a fire ring has been provided and (ii) when a permit has been obtained for such fire from the Maine Forest Service. No fire shall be left unattended. Camp stoves are permitted in areas designated for open fires. The cutting of live trees in prohibited.

4)Refuse: All visitors and campers must "carry out" all refuse and trash.

5)Pets: No dogs or other pets will be allowed on the Island. Guide dogs for visually impaired individuals are allowed.

6)Hunting and Trapping: Hunting trapping and possession of hunting and trapping equipment is prohibited above the normal high-water line unless permitted by Department staff.

Notwithstanding the above restrictions, Department personnel who are carrying out wildlife management activities that are a part of the Wildlife Management area Plan and/or individuals who are participating in these activities and are supervised by Department staff may possess and use firearms and may hunt, trap, or remove any animal or bird. This paragraph does not prohibit a person from carrying a handgun for personal protection pursuant to Public Law 2015, Chapter 327 (LD 652).

7)Fireworks: The use or possession of fireworks and explosives is prohibited. The Department may grant a permit to municipalities for the purpose of a public fireworks display, when the appropriate permits and insurance are presented, and a request is made in writing to the Regional Biologist prior to the event.

8)Liquor: No intoxicating beverages or drugs may be possessed or consumed on Swan Island.

9)Camping. Tent camping is allowed only in the immediate vicinity of the existing shelters_or at designated camp sites. No more than six persons will be allowed to use each shelter for overnight camping.

10)Vandalism. The destruction or defacement of any property is prohibited. The removal of cultural, historic, or natural artifacts is prohibited.

H.Coast of Maine Wildlife Management Area

1.Restriction. Trespass is prohibited during specific periods on the islands in the Coast of Maine Wildlife Management Area unless written permission is obtained from the Regional Wildlife Biologist.

a. Specific regulations to minimize disturbance to nesting birds are noted in the "Restriction" column for each island in the list in 2. (below)

b. The restricted periods are:

"a" April 15 through July 31, annually.

"b" April 15 through August 31, annually.

"c" February 15 through August 31, annually.

c. This restriction does not apply to Department personnel on official business.

2. The following state-owned coastal islands are used for nesting by colonial water birds and are a portion of the Coast of Maine Wildlife Management Area:

Location	Coastal Island
County/Town	Island Name	Registry Number	Restriction
York County
Biddeford	Beach Island Gooseberry Island	81018 81025	b a
Kennebunkport	West Goose Rocks	81040, 81041	b
Cumberland County
Brunswick	Freyee Island	55012	c
Portland	Stepping Stones Island Vaill Island Outer Green Island Junk of Pork Inner Green Island	55357 55369 55386 55486 55499	a a a a a
Cumberland	Upper Green Island Crow Island Goose Nest Island West Brown Cow	55275, 55297 55331 55400 55458, 55453	a a a a
Falmouth	Clapboard Island Ledge	55328, 55330	b
Harpswell	Black Rock Grassy Ledge Jenny Island Long Ledge Two Bush Island Cedar Ledge Little Mark Island Haddock Rock Whale Rock Little Birch Island Thrumcap adj. to Jaquish Island Pond Island Sister's Island White Bull Island East Brown Cow Flash Island Duck Rock Mark Island	55252 55259 55159 55175, 55176 55178 55179, 55608 55437 55438 55445 55406 55407 55436 55615 55620 55628 55632 55144 55156 55630	b b b a a a a a a a a a a a a b
Portland	Ram Island	55383	b
Yarmouth	Nubbin Island	55223	b
Sagadahoc County
Phippsburg	North Sugarloaf South Sugarloaf Hen Island Heron Island Ledge	73213 73280 73178 73314	b b a
Georgetown	Middle Mark Island Black Rock Ellingwood Rock	73234 73266 73319	a a a
Lincoln County
Southport	The Cuckolds	65466	a
Bremen	Crotch Island(s)	65173	b
Bristol	Killick Stone Wreck Island Jones Garden Island Wreck Island Ledge Thief Island Thrumcap Island New Harbor Dry Ledge	65189 65194 65188 65191, 65192 65186 65193 65301	b c a a a a a
South Bristol	Christmas Cove	65244	b
Monhegan Plt.	Duck Rocks Eastern Duck Rocks Smuttynose Island Inner Duck Rocks	65310 65313 65314 65316	a a a a
Knox County
Friendship	Gull Rock Franklin Ledge Crotch Island Ledge Long Ledge	63724 63708 63737 63774	a a a a
Isle au Haut	So. Popplestone Island Great Spoon Island Hardwood Island Sparrow Island W. Halibut Ledge Southern Mark Island Fog Island Ledge Green Ledge White Ledge The Cow Pen (both) White Horse Island Black Horse Island	63265 63287 59204 63200 63206 63260 63263 63266 63267 63283, 63284 63293 63294	b b c a a a a a a a a a
Matinicus Island	Little Two Bush No Man's Island Pudding Island Fisherman Island Marblehead Island Crescent Island Little Two Bush Two Bush Ledge Shag Ledge Green Ledge Seal Ledge Brig Ledge	63652 63900 63924 63402 63403 63411 63652 63902 63925 63929 63931 63934	b b b a a a a a a a a a
North Haven	Dagger Island Spoon Ledge Dagger Island Ledge Tthe Downfall Egg Rock East Goose Rocks Goose Island Robinson Rock The Sugarloaves	63015 63011 63014 63016 63333 63335 63336 63340, 63341 63464	b a a a a a a a a
St. George	Gunning Rocks Seal Island Yellow Ridge Island Shag Ledges Goose Rock Little Burnt Island Little Egg Rock Shark Island Eastern Egg Rock Old Hump Ledges	63578, 63836 63637, 63638 63640 63820, 63821 63792 63841 63873 63875 63860 63838, 63839	a a a a a a a a b b
Rockport	Goose Rocks	63314	a
South Thomaston	Garden Island	63420	a
Vinalhaven	Carber's Island Deadman's Ledge Roberts Island(w) S. Dogfish Ledge Green Island Green Ledge Medric Rock Hurricane I. Ledge S. Hurricane Ledge	63166, 63186 63170 63175 63474 63485 63493 63496 63516 63526	a a a a a a a a a
Hancock County
Brooklin	Green Island Ledge Smuttynose Island	59750 59931	a a
Brooksville	Thrumcap Island Buck Island	59669 59672	a a
Deer Isle	Green Ledge Two Bush Island Barred Island Colthead Island Sheep Island Ledge Eaton Island Ledge Bar Island Ledge Channel Rock Sloop Island Sloop Island Ledge Grass Ledge E Green Ledge Shabby Island Hardhead Island Grass Ledge (West)	59674 59681 59683, 59684 59685 59711,59712 59716 59717,59718 59792 59795 59796 59802 59949 59996 59782 59789	a a a a a b a a a a a a a a b
Stonington	Moose Island Ledge Scraggy Island Ledge Rams Island No Man's Island	59479 59837 59966 59977	a a c c
Swans Island	Brimstone Island Mason Ledge Halibut Rocks Spirit Ledge Saddleback Island High Sheriff	59479 5948 59991 59998 59999 59397	a a a a a a
Long Island Pit.	Green Island Dry Money Ledge	59446, 59445 59449	a b
Bar Harbor	The Thrumcap Indian Point Ledge	59300 59127	a b
Gouldsboro	Bald Rock	59192	a
Frenchboro	Great Duck Island	59440	c
Blue Hill	Sah Pond Islet	59742	c
Waldo County
Isleboro	Flat Island	77047	a
Washington County
Milbridge	Unnamed Ledges Egg Rock	79930, 79932 79927,79935	aa
Addison	Batson Ledge Stanley Ledge Pot Rock Little Drisko Island Inner Goose Island	79613 79618 79902 79638 79422	a a a a c
Beals	Inner Ram Island Egg Rock Curlew Rock Crumple Island Ledge Little Ram Island	79601 79605 79697 79695 79600	a a a a c
Jonesport	Ballast Island Green Island Pulpit Rock Freeman Rock West Brothers Island	79488 79572 79576 79676 79586	a a a a b
Machiasport	Big Libby Island Shag Ledge	79359 79556	b a
Lubec	Razor Island Pope Folly Island	79147 79371	a c
Perry	Red Island	79137	a
Steuben	Green Island	79929	b
Edmunds	Bellier Cove Islet	79085	c
Pembroke	Wilbur Neck Islet	79072	c
Trescott	Talbot Cove Island	79222	c

09-137 C.M.R. ch. 5, § 01