§11108-C. Eligibility and restrictions for a junior hunting license
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Junior hunter supervisor" means:
(1) The parent or guardian of the junior hunter who holds or has held a valid Maine hunting license or successfully completed a hunter safety course that meets the requirements of section 11105; or
(2) A person 18 years of age or older who:
(a) Is approved by the parent or guardian of the junior hunter; and
(b) Holds or has held a valid Maine hunting license or successfully completed a hunter safety course that meets the requirements of section 11105. [PL 2019, c. 639, §6 (AMD).]
B. "In the presence of" means in visual and voice contact without the use of visual or audio enhancement devices, including but not limited to binoculars and citizen band radios. [PL 2013, c. 538, §20 (NEW).]
[PL 2019, c. 639, §6 (AMD).]
2. Junior hunter eligibility. A resident or nonresident who is under 16 years of age may obtain a junior hunting license, which allows that person to hunt subject to the conditions set out in this section.
[PL 2019, c. 639, §6 (AMD).]
3. Junior hunter supervisor required. A hunter who is at least 10 years of age and under 16 years of age may not hunt unless that person holds a junior hunting license and is in the presence of and under the effective control of a junior hunter supervisor. A hunter who is under 10 years of age may not hunt unless that person holds a junior hunting license and is in the presence of and under the effective control of a junior hunter supervisor who remains at all times within 20 feet of that hunter.
[PL 2019, c. 639, §6 (AMD).]
4. Supervision of junior hunters 16 years of age. A hunter 16 years of age who obtained a junior hunting license before that person reached 16 years of age may not hunt with that license unless the person is in the presence of and under the effective control of a junior hunter supervisor or the person has successfully completed a hunter safety course established under section 10108 specific to the method of hunting authorized by the license. The following penalties apply to a violation of this subsection:
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; and [PL 2013, c. 538, §20 (NEW).]
B. A person who violates paragraph A 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 2013, c. 538, §20 (NEW).]
[PL 2019, c. 639, §6 (AMD).]
5. Expiration of junior hunting license issued to person 15 years of age. A junior hunting license issued to a person who is 15 years of age is valid through the calendar year for which the license is issued. Beginning January 1, 2016, for those persons who obtain a junior hunting license and turn 16 years of age during the same calendar year, a pheasant hunting permit, an archery hunting license and a migratory waterfowl permit are included even after the person has turned 16 years of age as long as that person is hunting on that person's valid junior hunting license and not longer than the remainder of the calendar year for which the license is issued. In addition to the requirements of subsection 4, all other permit requirements applicable to a person who is 16 years of age or older apply to a person who continues to hunt with a junior hunting license under this subsection after reaching that person's 16th birthday.
[PL 2015, c. 281, Pt. D, §2 (AMD).]
6. Penalties for supervisors of junior hunters. A person who is the junior hunter supervisor of a holder of a valid junior hunting license when that junior hunter violates any provision of this Part pertaining to hunting:
A. Commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged; and [PL 2013, c. 538, §20 (NEW).]
B. 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 2013, c. 538, §20 (NEW).]
[PL 2019, c. 639, §6 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2013, c. 538, §20 (NEW). PL 2015, c. 136, §8 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 136, §12 (AFF). PL 2015, c. 281, Pt. D, §2 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 639, §6 (AMD).