PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Allow Hunting for Deer with a Crossbow during the Expanded Archery Season
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10953, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2011, c. 61, §2, is further amended to read:
 
1. Species and seasons.   Except as provided in this Part, a person may hunt bear with a crossbow during the open season on bear as provided in section 11251 and may hunt deer with a crossbow during the open firearm season on deer as provided in section 11401 and during an expanded archery deer hunting season established pursuant to rule. This subsection does not authorize a person to hunt deer with a crossbow during an expanded archery season established under section 11403 or in an expanded archery zone or during the muzzle-loading-only deer hunting season established under section 11404, except as provided in subsection 1-A.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §10953, sub-§1-A, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 61, §3, is amended to read:
 
1-A. Hunting with a crossbow; 70 years of age or older.   A person 70 years of age or older may hunt deer with a crossbow during an expanded archery season established under section 11403 or in an expanded archery zone or during the muzzle-loading-only deer hunting season established under section 11404.
 
This subsection is repealed January 1, 2015.
 
SUMMARY
This bill allows a person to hunt with a crossbow during an expanded archery deer hunting season that is established by rule of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.