1. Open training season. Unless otherwise provided in this Part, a person may not train dogs on wild birds and wild animals except as follows.
A. A person may train dogs on foxes, snowshoe hare, gray squirrels, red squirrels and raccoons from July 1st through the following March 31st, including Sundays. [PL 2023, c. 134, §1 (AMD).]
B. A person may train sporting dogs on wild birds at any time, including Sundays. [PL 2013, c. 588, Pt. A, §16 (RPR).]
C. A resident may train up to 6 dogs at any one time on bear from July 1st to the 4th day preceding the open season on hunting bear, except in those portions of Washington County and Hancock County that are situated south of Route 9. [PL 2013, c. 588, Pt. A, §16 (RPR).]
D. Notwithstanding paragraph C, in those portions of Washington County and Hancock County that are situated south of Route 9, a resident may train up to 6 dogs at any one time on bear from July 1st to the 4th day preceding the open season on hunting bear except that permission is required to train dogs on land used for wild blueberry production. [PL 2025, c. 27, §1 (AMD).]
Except on Sundays, a person may not engage in activities authorized under this subsection unless that person possesses a valid hunting license issued under section 11109. A person may train dogs on pen-raised birds at any time without a license. For the purpose of this subsection, "pen-raised birds" includes, but is not limited to, quail, pheasant, pigeons and Hungarian partridge.
A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation.
[PL 2025, c. 27, §1 (AMD).]
1-A. Open training season 2009-2010.
[PL 2009, c. 76, §1 (NEW); MRSA T. 12 §12051, sub-§1-A (RP).]
2. Rock dove permits.
[PL 2013, c. 280, §12 (RP).]
2-A. Collar requirements. A person may not train a dog on bear, fox or raccoon unless the dog has a collar with a functioning global positioning system tracker and a collar that legibly provides the name, telephone number and address of the owner of that dog. For purposes of this subsection, "global positioning system tracker" means an electronic device that allows a person hunting with a dog to track the dog's location at all times.
A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2021, c. 580, §10 (NEW).]
B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2021, c. 580, §10 (NEW).]
[PL 2021, c. 580, §10 (NEW).]
2-B. Permit requirement. A person may not train a dog in pursuit of a bear, fox or raccoon unless that person has a valid dog training and hunting permit in accordance with section 11163. A person who violates this subsection is subject to the penalties provided in section 11163.
[PL 2021, c. 580, §11 (NEW).]
3. Possessing firearm while training dogs. A person may not possess a firearm while training a dog outside of the open training season on foxes, snowshoe hare, gray squirrels, red squirrels and raccoons as set out in subsection 1, paragraph A.
A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §191 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §191 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
[PL 2023, c. 134, §2 (AMD).]
4. Unlawful use of firearm during training or field trials.
[PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §192 (RP); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
5. Unlawful use of firearm during training or field trials. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a person may not possess during the training or field trials permitted in this section and section 12054 a firearm other than a blank pistol or shotgun loaded with blank ammunition, except during an open season for hunting. The commissioner may issue a permit to a person authorizing the use of firearms during the training of sporting dogs to shoot and kill wild birds propagated or legally acquired by the permittee and possessed in accordance with section 12152.
A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §193 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §193 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
[PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §193 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
6. Effect of revocation. A person may not train dogs under this section if that person has a suspended or revoked license pursuant to section 10902.
[PL 2013, c. 247, §2 (NEW); PL 2013, c. 286, §2 (NEW).]
