§10953. Open seasons for hunting with crossbow
(CONTAINS TEXT WITH VARYING EFFECTIVE DATES)
1. Species and seasons. A person may:
A. Hunt bear with a crossbow during the open season on bear as provided in section 11251; [PL 2013, c. 236, §3 (NEW).]
B. Hunt wild turkey with a crossbow during the spring open season on hunting wild turkey established by the commissioner in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to section 11701; [PL 2019, c. 98, §1 (AMD).]
C. Hunt moose with a crossbow in areas of the State open to moose hunting during the open season on moose established by rule in section 11552, subsections 1 and 2 and according to the rules pertaining to moose hunting permits adopted by the commissioner for the protection of the moose resource under section 11551 and in accordance with the provisions of section 11601; [PL 2019, c. 98, §1 (AMD).]
D. Hunt deer with a crossbow during the open firearm season on deer as provided in section 11401; [PL 2019, c. 98, §1 (AMD).]
E. (TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1/1/23) (TEXT REPEALED 1/1/23) Notwithstanding the restriction in section 11403 to hunting with bow and arrow only, hunt deer with a crossbow during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 archery-only hunting season on deer established by the commissioner in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to section 11403. Except as provided in subsection 1‑C and section 10853, subsection 11, a person may not take an antlerless deer with a crossbow under this paragraph during an open archery season on deer unless that person possesses an antlerless deer permit in accordance with section 11152. A person 65 years of age or older who hunts deer with a crossbow pursuant to this paragraph and subsection 1‑C and a person who holds a permit under section 10853, subsection 11 and hunts deer with a crossbow pursuant to this paragraph may not take an antlerless deer in a wildlife management district for which antlerless deer permits have not been issued.
This paragraph is repealed January 1, 2023; and [PL 2019, c. 637, §2 (AMD).]
F. (TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1/1/23) (TEXT REPEALED 1/1/23) Notwithstanding the prohibition on hunting wild turkey with a crossbow during the fall open season on hunting wild turkey in section 11701 and also notwithstanding paragraph B, hunt wild turkey with a crossbow during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 fall open season on hunting wild turkey established by the commissioner in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to section 11701.
This paragraph is repealed January 1, 2023. [PL 2019, c. 98, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2019, c. 637, §2 (AMD).]
1-A. Hunting with a crossbow; 70 years of age or older.
[PL 2013, c. 538, §15 (RP).]
1-B. Hunting with a crossbow; 70 years of age or older.
[PL 2013, c. 538, §16 (NEW); MRSA T. 12 §10953, sub-§1-B (RP).]
1-C. Hunting with a crossbow; 65 years of age or older. A person 65 years of age or older who meets the eligibility requirements of sections 11105, 11106 and 11162 may hunt a wild bird or a wild animal with a crossbow during any open season on that wild bird or wild animal subject to this Part and may take an antlerless deer with a crossbow during the regular archery-only deer hunting season without an antlerless deer permit issued in accordance with section 11152.
[PL 2019, c. 637, §3 (AMD).]
2. Rulemaking.
[PL 2015, c. 301, §8 (RP).]
3. Crossbow requirements. A person may not hunt with a crossbow unless the crossbow meets the following requirements.
A. The crossbow must have a shoulder-type stock. A hand-held pistol-type crossbow may not be used. [PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
B. The draw weight of the crossbow may not be less than 100 pounds. [PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
C. The arrowhead, including a mechanical broadhead when open, must be at least 7/8 inch in width. [PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
D. A crossbow arrow that has an explosive or poisonous tip may not be used. [PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
E. The crossbow must be equipped with a mechanical trigger safety device in working condition. [PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
F. The crossbow may be equipped with a scope or sight. [PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime.
[PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2005, c. 419, §2 (NEW). PL 2005, c. 419, §12 (AFF). PL 2011, c. 61, §§2, 3 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 236, §3 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 538, §§14-16 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 42, §1 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 301, §§8, 9 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 85, §1 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 164, §6 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 239, §1 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 475, Pt. A, §20 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 98, §1 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 325, §3 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 637, §§2, 3 (AMD).