Maine § 11403. - Regular archery-only deer hunting season

§ 11403.. Regular archery-only deer hunting season

1.  License required. 

2.  Open archery season on deer.  The commissioner shall by rule establish a regular archery season beginning at least 30 days prior and extending to the beginning of the regular deer hunting season, as described in section 11401, subsection 1, paragraph A, for the purpose of hunting deer with archery equipment. During the regular archery season on deer the following restrictions apply.

A. A person may not take a deer during a regular archery season unless that person uses a hand-held bow and broadhead arrow in accordance with section 11214, subsection 1, paragraph P or a crossbow in accordance with section 11214, subsection 1, paragraph Q.   [PL 2023, c. 239, §32 (AMD).]

B. A person may not carry firearms of any kind while hunting any species of wildlife with archery equipment during the regular archery season on deer. This paragraph may not be construed to prohibit a person from carrying a concealed weapon in accordance with Title 25, section 2001‑A.   [PL 2023, c. 239, §32 (AMD).]

C. Except as provided in section 11109‑A, subsection 3, if a person takes a deer with archery equipment during the regular archery season on deer, that person is precluded from further hunting for deer during that year except as otherwise provided in law or rule.   [PL 2023, c. 239, §32 (AMD).]

D. Except as provided in this subsection, the provisions of this Part concerning deer are applicable to the taking of deer with archery equipment, including the transportation, registration and possession of deer taken by these methods.   [PL 2023, c. 239, §32 (AMD).]

A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime.