Maine § 12707. - Unlawful activity in wildlife sanctuary; general prohibitions and exceptions
Full text of Maine Maine Revised Statutes § 12707. — Unlawful activity in wildlife sanctuary; general prohibitions and exceptions, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 12707.. Unlawful activity in wildlife sanctuary; general prohibitions and exceptions
Except to the extent permitted by the commissioner under section 12701, activities listed in this section are prohibited in a wildlife sanctuary. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
1. Unlawful activity in wildlife sanctuary.
1-A. Unlawful activity in wildlife sanctuary. Except as provided in subsection 2, the following activities are prohibited.
A. A person may not trap or hunt any wild animal or wild bird at any time within a wildlife sanctuary as designated in section 12706.
(2) A person who violates this paragraph after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
B. A person may not possess any wild animal or wild bird taken in violation of paragraph A.
(2) A person who violates this paragraph after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
2. Exceptions. The following exceptions apply to the prohibitions in subsection 1-A.
A. Subsection 1‑A does not apply to crows and skunks in the Willow Water Game Sanctuary. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
B. A person residing within the limits of the York Game Sanctuary in the County of Franklin may kill any wild bird, except grouse, or any wild animal, except beaver, when found destroying that person's property. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
C. A person residing within the limits of Prout's Neck, Richmond's Island and Cape Elizabeth Sanctuary may kill any wild bird, except ruffed grouse or Hungarian partridge, or any wild animal, when found destroying that person's property. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
D. A person may trap any wild animal except moose and deer within Fairfield Sanctuary, Narragansett Game Sanctuary and Prout's Neck, Richmond's Island and Cape Elizabeth Sanctuary in accordance with the general laws of the State. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
E. [PL 2013, c. 138, §2 (RP).]
F. The Augusta Water District may use Carleton Pond in the Readfield and Winthrop Sanctuary as it determines necessary. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
G. Within the Readfield and Winthrop Sanctuary, subsection 1-A applies only to fenced lands. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
H. Subsection 1‑A applies to Megunticook Lake and Vicinity Sanctuary from the first day of April of each year to the 30th day of September following. From October 1st until March 31st of each year, hunting wild animals and wild birds is permitted. [PL 2019, c. 355, §9 (AMD).]
3. Using motorboat within Merrymeeting Bay Game Sanctuary. A person may not use a motorboat within Merrymeeting Bay Game Sanctuary, except that motorboats may be used between the Woolwich shore on the east and a line on the west designated by a series of red markers adjacent to the edge of the grassy marsh area from Kelly's Point to the southern boundary of the Merrymeeting Bay Game Sanctuary.
A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
4. Carrying loaded firearm on bounds of Limington, Hollis and Waterboro Sanctuary. A person may not carry a loaded firearm on any of the roads bounding the Limington, Hollis and Waterboro Sanctuary.
A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
5. Carrying loaded firearm on bounds of Standish Sanctuary. A person may not carry a loaded firearm on any road or on the Maine Central Railroad right-of-way that bounds the Standish Game Sanctuary.
A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
6. Fishing in Carleton Pond. A person may not fish in Carleton Pond in the Readfield and Winthrop Sanctuary.
A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §294 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
Source: official Maine text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Maine § 12707.
What does Maine Revised Statutes § 12707. cover?
Section 12707. ("Unlawful activity in wildlife sanctuary; general prohibitions and exceptions") is part of the Maine Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Maine. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Maine § 12707.?
A common citation format is "Maine Revised Statutes § 12707." (Maine). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Maine law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Maine official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Maine attorney.
How does Maine § 12707. apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Maine can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Maine.