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An Act To Expand Crossbow Hunting
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10952, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 61, §1, is amended to read:
 
1. Hunting with a bow and arrow or a crossbow.   A person may, except as otherwise provided in this Part, hunt any wild bird or wild animal with a hand-held bow and arrow or a crossbow during any open season on that bird or animal.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §10952, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 61, §1, is repealed.
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §11209, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 340, §14, is further amended to read:
 
A. Unless a relevant municipal ordinance provides otherwise and except as provided in sections 12401 and 12402, discharge a firearm, including muzzle-loading firearms, or crossbow within 100 yards of a building or residential dwelling without the permission of the owner or, in the owner's absence, of an adult occupant of that building or dwelling authorized to act on behalf of the owner; or
Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §11603, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2005, c. 477, §13, is further amended to read:
 
1. Prohibition.   A person may not use a .17 or .22 caliber rimfire firearm,or a shotgun using shot loads or a crossbow to hunt moose.
Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §11603, sub-§1-A, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 61, §5, is repealed.
 
SUMMARY
This bill allows a person to hunt any wild bird or animal with a crossbow during any open season on that bird or animal and removes the restriction against using a crossbow within 100 feet of a dwelling.