§11159. Falconry hunting permit

1.  Permit required.  Except as otherwise authorized in this Part, a person may not engage in the practice of falconry unless that person has a valid permit issued under this section. Each day a person violates this subsection that person commits a Class E crime for which a minimum fine of $50 and an amount equal to twice the applicable license fee must be imposed.

[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

2.  Eligibility.  A person who possesses a valid hunting license is eligible to obtain a permit from the commissioner to engage in the practice of falconry.

[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

3.  Issuance and fee.  The commissioner shall issue permits to eligible persons to engage in the practice of falconry at a fee of $26.

A. The permit may be for a one-year, 2-year or 3-year period at a fee equivalent to the sum of the annual fees established for each of the years for which the permit is issued.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

B. A person not a resident of the State who holds a valid permit to engage in the practice of falconry in another state may import and use raptors in this State for up to 30 days solely for the purpose of hunting without the permit described in this section if that person holds a valid Maine hunting license issued in accordance with subchapter 2. A person must have both the permit to engage in the practice of falconry in the other state and the Maine hunting license in possession at all times while engaged in the practice of falconry in this State. These documents must be exhibited to a warden or employee of the department upon request.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

[PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. III, §17 (AMD).]

4.  Rules.  The commissioner may adopt rules necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

[PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §134 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

5.  Compliance with rules and regulations.  Falconry hunting is subject to the following limitations.

A. A person who holds a valid falconry hunting permit may take, possess and use any raptor, except as provided in this Part or by federal regulation and except as the commissioner may by rule provide.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

B. Persons engaged in the practice of falconry are subject to all rules adopted by the commissioner pertaining to seasons and bag limits on wild birds and wild animals.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 655, §B134 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 655, §B422 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 12, §III17 (AMD).