It appears from all indications that very few people are aware of, “An Act to Strengthen Maine’s Wildlife Laws.” It is even more concerning that even fewer people have been made aware of Sec. 11. 12 MRSA §11857 of that act, entitled, “Unlawful possession of ruffed grouse.”
Here is that section only but I would advice hunters to check out everything within “The Act.”
Sec. 11. 12 MRSA §11857 is enacted to read:
§ 11857. Unlawful possession of ruffed grouse
1. Daily bag limit. A person may not take more than the daily bag limit of ruffed grouse during any open season on ruffed grouse as established by the commissioner.
2. Possession limit. A person may not possess more than the possession limit of ruffed grouse taken during any open season on ruffed grouse as established by the commissioner.
3. Duty to label ruffed grouse. A person shall label any ruffed grouse that the person has taken, before the next calendar day begins, with the name of the person who harvested the ruffed grouse and the date it was taken if that person is within or travelling through the unorganized territory.
4. Penalty. A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime for which a fine of not less than $100 plus $25 for each ruffed grouse taken in violation may be adjudged.
So, if you are a partridge hunter, better take along some paper and pen and something to attach a tag to a bird if you plan on hunting in or traveling through Maine’s “Unorganized Territories.”
I’m sure there is a reason for such a law, where there has never been one before, but it kind of smells a bit like one of those “I gotcha!” laws.
