Bill > LD1692

This bill amends Maine's hunting regulations to provide a specific benefit for agricultural landowners. Under the new provision, landowners who already qualify to hunt without a license on their own property can now receive one free antlerless deer permit through the state's deer permit lottery system. If they want an additional antlerless deer permit beyond the free one, they would need to pay the standard fee like other hunters. The bill is designed to take effect before the 2025 deer hunting season, which is expected to begin on September 6, 2025, and is being enacted as an emergency measure to ensure it is in place in time. The bill represents a targeted accommodation for agricultural landowners, recognizing their unique relationship to the land and potentially helping them manage deer populations on their property.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1692&snum=132