(CONTAINS TEXT WITH VARYING EFFECTIVE DATES) 1. Permit required. Except as otherwise provided in this Part, a person may not hunt or possess a moose unless that person has a valid permit issued under this section. A person without a moose permit may possess moose parts lawfully sold under section 11217, subsection 2, paragraph D. A person who violates this subsection commits a Class D crime for which the court shall impose a sentencing alternative of not less than 3 days for the first offense, none of which may be suspended, and of not less than 10 days for each succeeding offense, none of which may be suspended; the court also shall impose a fine of not less than $1,000, none of which may be suspended. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §125 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] 2. Issuance of moose hunting permits. In accordance with section 11552, the commissioner may issue moose hunting permits and may establish the number of moose hunting permits to be issued for each wildlife management district established by the commissioner by rule open to moose hunting. No more than 8% of the moose hunting permits may be issued to nonresidents. No more than 2% of the moose hunting permits may be issued to hunting outfitters in accordance with subsection 14. [PL 2021, c. 184, §3 (RPR).] 3. Moose hunting permit fee. The fee for a moose hunting permit is $52 for a resident and $585 for a nonresident. [PL 2017, c. 427, §12 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 427, §19 (AFF).] 4. Hunting license required. While hunting moose, the permittee and the subpermittee shall each have in that person's possession a valid Maine resident or nonresident hunting or archery hunting license, whichever is applicable. 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 2017, c. 427, §13 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 427, §19 (AFF).] 5. (TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1/01/26) Eligibility. Except as provided in this subsection, a resident or nonresident who is eligible to obtain a Maine hunting license or who will be eligible to obtain a Maine hunting license by the opening day of the open moose season is eligible to apply for a moose hunting permit. A person who has obtained a moose hunting permit is ineligible to obtain another permit until the 4th calendar year after the issuance of the last permit. This limitation does not apply to subpermittees under subsection 7. A person under 10 years of age on the opening day of the open moose season is eligible to apply for a moose hunting permit and may accrue points under subsection 8 but is ineligible to receive a moose hunting permit. [PL 2017, c. 427, §14 (RPR); PL 2017, c. 427, §19 (AFF).] 5. (TEXT EFFECTIVE 1/01/26) Eligibility. Except as provided in this subsection, a resident or nonresident who is eligible to obtain a Maine hunting license or who will be eligible to obtain a Maine hunting license by the opening day of the open moose season is eligible to apply for a moose hunting permit. A person who has obtained a moose hunting permit is ineligible to obtain another permit until the 4th calendar year after the issuance of the last permit. This limitation does not apply to subpermittees under subsection 7 or transferors and transferees under subsection 16. A person under 10 years of age on the opening day of the open moose season is eligible to apply for a moose hunting permit and may accrue points under subsection 8 but is ineligible to receive a moose hunting permit. [PL 2025, c. 289, §1 (AMD); PL 2025, c. 289, §3 (AFF).] 6. Application procedure. An eligible person wishing to apply for a permit must file an application for a permit on a form furnished by the commissioner. The application fee is nonrefundable. A person may not file more than one application. A person who submits more than one application is disqualified from the selection of permittees. The application must be accompanied by an application fee of: A. For a resident: (1) Fifteen dollars for a one-chance application; or [PL 2011, c. 370, §6 (AMD).] B. For a nonresident: (1) Fifteen dollars for a one-chance application; (2) Twenty-five dollars for a 3-chance application; (3) Thirty-five dollars for a 6-chance application; and (4) Fifty-five dollars for a 10-chance application; multiple 10-chance options may be purchased. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. III, §10 (AMD).] A clerk or agent appointed by the commissioner under section 10801 may process an application under this subsection. The clerk or agent shall charge a fee of $2 for each application under this subsection processed by that clerk or agent. The commissioner shall allow an applicant to indicate that that applicant does not want to receive a moose permit pursuant to the application but wishes to receive the corresponding points under subsection 8 for that application. [PL 2025, c. 132, §4 (AMD).] 7. Subpermittees. An applicant for a moose permit may indicate on the application filed pursuant to subsection 6 the name of a subpermittee-designate and the name of an alternate subpermittee- designate. A person under 10 years of age on the opening day of the open moose season may not be a subpermittee-designate or alternate subpermittee-designate. If the applicant is issued a moose permit under subsection 9 and upon application to the commissioner, the permittee may change that person's subpermittee-designate or alternate subpermittee-designate until 30 days prior to the start of the moose hunting season for which the permit was issued. Thirty days prior to the start of the applicable moose hunting season, the subpermittee-designate becomes a subpermittee. The permittee may authorize the subpermittee to participate in the moose hunt with the permittee. The permittee may authorize the alternate subpermittee-designate to participate in the hunt in place of the subpermittee-designate if the permittee notifies the department of the authorization at least 5 business days prior to the first day of the moose season, in which case the alternate subpermittee-designate becomes the subpermittee. The permittee may choose not to authorize a subpermittee to participate in the hunt. A. A person may not sell a subpermittee or an alternate subpermittee designation. [PL 2011, c. 370, §7 (NEW).] B. A person who violates paragraph A commits a Class E crime. [PL 2011, c. 370, §7 (NEW).] [PL 2017, c. 96, §2 (AMD).] 8. Point system for public chance drawing. A person accumulates points as follows for each consecutive year that person purchases an application for a moose hunting permit but is not selected to receive a permit: A. One point each year for the first 5 years; [PL 2011, c. 370, §8 (NEW).] B. Two points each year for years 6 to 10; [PL 2011, c. 370, §8 (NEW).] C. Three points each year for years 11 to 15; and [PL 2011, c. 370, §8 (NEW).] D. Ten points each year after the 15th year. [PL 2011, c. 370, §8 (NEW).] Each point entitles an applicant to one chance in the public chance drawing. A person's accumulated points are eliminated and that person begins to accumulate points anew if in any year that person is selected to receive a moose hunting permit or if that person fails to purchase a new chance in any 2 consecutive years. A person who is ineligible to receive a moose hunting permit as provided in subsection 5 may continue to purchase points for each year that person is ineligible to receive a moose hunting permit for the corresponding application fee under subsection 6. [PL 2011, c. 370, §8 (RPR).] 9. Selection procedure. Permittees are selected by a public chance drawing, except that a permit must be issued to any resident who is 65 years of age or older or will attain 65 years of age during the calendar year in which the resident is applying for the permit, who has accumulated at least 30 points pursuant to subsection 8 and who applies for and is otherwise eligible to obtain the permit. [PL 2017, c. 76, §1 (AMD).] 9-A. Permits in road safety management areas. [PL 2021, c. 184, §4 (RP).] 10. Questionnaire. [PL 2021, c. 184, §5 (RP).] 11. Auction of moose hunting permits to fund youth conservation education programs. Notwithstanding subsection 1, the commissioner may issue not more than 10 moose hunting permits each year through public auction in accordance with this subsection. A. Each moose hunting permit issued under this subsection must be awarded through public auction to the applicant who submits the highest bid. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. A person who applies for a moose hunting permit under this subsection is subject to the eligibility provisions of subsection 5, except that a successful applicant is not required to wait 3 years in order to obtain another permit. [PL 2011, c. 370, §9 (AMD).] C. An eligible person wishing to apply for a permit under this subsection must submit a written application in such form as the commissioner may require. The application must be accompanied by a bidding fee of $25, which, except as otherwise provided in paragraph D, is nonrefundable. The commissioner may waive the requirements of this paragraph when, as provided in paragraph G, the commissioner enters into a contract with a conservation organization to auction the permits. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §128 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] D. An eligible person may apply for a moose hunting permit both through the public chance drawing and in accordance with this subsection. If a person is selected to receive a moose hunting permit as a result of the public chance drawing, that person is no longer eligible to obtain a permit under this subsection and the bidding fee submitted by that person must be refunded. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] E. A moose hunting permit issued under this subsection is valid in the district designated by the permittee. This designation must be made within 30 days after the permit is awarded. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] F. A person who is awarded a moose hunting permit under this subsection may select a subpermittee to participate in the moose hunt as provided in subsection 7. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] G. The commissioner may enter into a contract with a conservation organization whose goals and objectives are not inconsistent with those of the department to advertise this process of issuing permits, auction the permits and collect revenues. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] H. Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of this Part relating to moose are applicable to the hunting of moose with a permit awarded under this subsection. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] I. The commissioner may adopt rules necessary for the proper administration, implementation, enforcement and interpretation of this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph 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, §129 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] J. Notwithstanding this subsection, the total number of moose hunting permits issued each year must be in accordance with section 11552, subsection 2. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] K. The commissioner may decline to issue any permit or any number of permits issuable pursuant to this subsection if, in the commissioner's opinion, the auction bids received do not reflect the public value anticipated to meet the goals of this subsection. Any permit or permits not issued under this subsection must be drawn in the public chance drawing pursuant to subsection 9. [PL 2007, c. 161, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2011, c. 370, §9 (AMD).] 12. Persons in armed forces called to serve in armed conflict. A person who is issued a moose permit under this section and who is subsequently called to active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States to serve in an armed conflict and is unable to use the permit is entitled to use the same permit during the next appropriate season following that person's return to the State. Permits used under this subsection do not affect the number of permits that may be issued by the commissioner under this section. For purposes of this subsection, "armed conflict" means any military action in which participants are exposed to war-risk hazards as defined in 42 United States Code, Section 1711(b). [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] 13. Hunting adventure permits for children. Notwithstanding subsection 6, the commissioner may issue 5 moose permits to a nonprofit organization or organizations dedicated to providing hunting and fishing adventures to children under 21 years of age with life-threatening, critical or terminal illnesses. At least 3 of the permits issued under this subsection must be issued to an eligible nonprofit organization based in the State, and a child who receives a permit from that organization must be a resident. The commissioner may issue these permits upon written request by an eligible nonprofit organization or organizations but may not issue more than 5 permits in total for a calendar year. These permits are in addition to the moose hunting permits issued under subsection 2 for each wildlife management district and are at no cost to the organization. [PL 2023, c. 526, §1 (AMD).] 14. Permits for hunting lodges. Moose hunting permits issued to hunting outfitters must be allocated through a chance drawing separate from the chance drawing under subsection 9. The fee for a moose hunting permit under this subsection is $1,500. A. For the purposes of this subsection, "hunting outfitter" means a person who operates a sporting camp as defined under Title 22, section 2491, subsection 11 that is licensed under Title 22, chapter 562 and who provides package deals that include food, lodging and the services of a guide licensed under chapter 927 for the purpose of hunting. [PL 2013, c. 538, §24 (NEW).] B. A hunting outfitter may sell or transfer a permit allocated under this subsection only once, only to a hunter who is eligible under paragraph F and only under the following conditions: (1) The sale or transfer must be part of a package deal that includes the food and lodging to be provided by the hunting outfitter to the person receiving the permit; (2) The person receiving the permit from the hunting outfitter must be accompanied during the hunt by a guide licensed under chapter 927; (3) The hunting outfitter must notify the department of the identity of the person receiving the permit; and (4) The hunting permit may not be sold or transferred by the hunter. [PL 2013, c. 538, §24 (NEW).] C. A hunting outfitter may be allocated more than one permit. [PL 2013, c. 538, §24 (NEW).] D. A permit allocated under this subsection may be used only for the year, season, sex and wildlife management district for which the permit is issued. [PL 2013, c. 538, §24 (NEW).] E. Permits allocated under this subsection may not exceed 10% of the total permits issued per year for each season, sex and wildlife management district permit type. [PL 2013, c. 538, §24 (NEW).] F. An individual may hunt with a permit sold or transferred under this subsection only if that individual is otherwise eligible to obtain and hunt with a permit under subsection 5. [PL 2013, c. 538, §24 (NEW).] G. If proceeds in any year from the auction authorized under subsection 11 are less than $107,000, proceeds from the sale of moose permits to hunting outfitters pursuant to this subsection must be used to fund youth conservation education programs as provided under subsection 11 up to $107,000. The remainder must be deposited in the Moose Research and Management Fund under section 10263. [PL 2017, c. 458, §2 (AMD).] [PL 2017, c. 458, §2 (AMD).] 15. Moose permit transfer; family members. The commissioner, in cases involving exceptional extenuating circumstances as determined by the commissioner, may authorize a person who holds a valid moose permit to transfer that permit to a family member who meets the eligibility and permit requirements under this section and who is not otherwise prohibited from holding the moose permit, except that the commissioner shall transfer a moose permit to a family member who meets the eligibility and permit requirements under this section and who is not otherwise prohibited from holding the moose permit if the permit holder dies at any time prior to or during the moose hunting season if a moose has not yet been harvested under that permit. A transferor and a transferee are subject to the elimination of any accumulated points under subsection 8 and the 3-year ineligibility period under subsection 5. For purposes of this subsection, "family member" means the transferor's spouse, domestic partner, child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, grandparent, stepparent, sibling or stepgrandchild; the transferor's sibling's child; the transferor's spouse's sibling's child; or the transferor's parent's sibling or that sibling's spouse. The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this subsection and may establish a transfer fee to recover administrative costs associated with transferring moose permits. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [PL 2025, c. 126, §2 (AMD).] 16. (TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1/01/26) Moose permit transfer; disabled veterans. A person who holds a valid moose permit may transfer, in accordance with this subsection, that permit to a disabled veteran who meets the eligibility and permit requirements under this section and section 10853, subsection 4 and who is not otherwise prohibited from holding a moose permit. The commissioner may authorize a permit holder to transfer the moose permit to a disabled veteran identified by the permit holder or the permit holder may return the permit to the department, which, in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner, shall provide for the transfer of the permit to a disabled veteran. A transferor and a transferee of the permit are subject to the elimination of any accumulated points under subsection 8 and the 3-year ineligibility period under subsection 5. Rules adopted under this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [PL 2019, c. 191, §1 (NEW).] 16. (TEXT EFFECTIVE 1/01/26) Moose permit transfer; disabled veterans. A person who holds a valid moose permit may transfer, in accordance with this subsection, that permit to a disabled veteran who meets the eligibility and permit requirements under this section and section 10853, subsection 4 and who is not otherwise prohibited from holding a moose permit. The commissioner may authorize a permit holder to transfer the moose permit to a disabled veteran identified by the permit holder or the permit holder may return the permit to the department, which, in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner, shall provide for the transfer of the permit to a disabled veteran. A transferor and a transferee of the permit are subject to the elimination of any accumulated points under subsection 8. Rules adopted under this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [PL 2025, c. 289, §2 (AMD); PL 2025, c. 289, §3 (AFF).] 17. Moose permit deferment; significant medical illness. The commissioner may authorize a person who holds a valid moose permit to defer the permit until the next moose hunting season in circumstances in which the permit holder or an immediate family member, as defined in subsection 15, of the permit holder has a significant medical illness that would prevent the permit holder from participating in the moose hunt. [PL 2019, c. 638, §2 (NEW).] 18. Moose permit deferment; multiple permits in single household. The commissioner may authorize a person who holds a valid moose permit to defer the permit until the next moose hunting season in circumstances in which a member of that permit holder's household also holds a valid moose permit for the same hunting season. For the purposes of this subsection, members of a household are limited to a spouse, domestic partner, grandparent, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, grandchild, sibling and stepgrandchild sharing the same legal address. Under this subsection, the person is ineligible to be selected for another moose permit in accordance with subsection 5 beginning in the calendar year that the person uses a permit deferred. For the purposes of this subsection, "next moose hunting season" means the moose hunting season in the calendar year immediately following a person's selection under subsection 9. [PL 2025, c. 126, §3 (AMD).]
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