§10953. Open seasons for hunting with crossbow
1.
Species and seasons.
A person may:
A.
Hunt bear with a crossbow during the open season on bear as provided in section 11251;
[PL 2013, c. 236, §3 (NEW).]
B.
Hunt wild turkey with a crossbow during the spring open season on hunting wild turkey established by the commissioner in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to section 11701;
[PL 2019, c. 98, §1 (AMD).]
C.
Hunt moose with a crossbow in areas of the State open to moose hunting during the open season on moose established by rule in section 11552, subsections 1 and 2 and according to the rules pertaining to moose hunting permits adopted by the commissioner for the protection of the moose resource under section 11551 and in accordance with the provisions of section 11601; and
[PL 2021, c. 599, §3 (AMD).]
D.
Hunt deer with a crossbow during the open firearm season on deer as provided in section 11401.
[PL 2021, c. 599, §4 (AMD).]
E.
[PL 2021, c. 599, §5 (RP).]
F.
[PL 2021, c. 599, §6 (RP).]
[PL 2021, c. 599, §§3-6 (AMD).]
1-A.
Hunting with a crossbow; 70 years of age or older.
[PL 2013, c. 538, §15 (RP).]
1-B.
Hunting with a crossbow; 70 years of age or older.
[PL 2013, c. 538, §16 (NEW); MRSA T. 12 §10953, sub-§1-B (RP).]
1-C.
Hunting with a crossbow; 65 years of age or older.
A person 65 years of age or older who meets the eligibility requirements of sections 11105, 11106 and 11162 may hunt a wild bird or a wild animal with a crossbow during any open season on that wild bird or wild animal subject to this Part.
[PL 2021, c. 599, §7 (AMD).]
2.
Rulemaking.
[PL 2015, c. 301, §8 (RP).]
3.
Crossbow requirements.
A person may not hunt with a crossbow unless the crossbow meets the following requirements.
A.
The crossbow must have a shoulder-type stock. A hand-held pistol-type crossbow may not be used.
[PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
B.
The draw weight of the crossbow may not be less than 100 pounds.
[PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
C.
The arrowhead, including a mechanical broadhead when open, must be at least 7/8 inch in width.
[PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
D.
A crossbow arrow that has an explosive or poisonous tip may not be used.
[PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
E.
The crossbow must be equipped with a mechanical trigger safety device in working condition.
[PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
F.
The crossbow may be equipped with a scope or sight.
[PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime.
[PL 2015, c. 301, §9 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2005, c. 419, §2 (NEW). PL 2005, c. 419, §12 (AFF). PL 2011, c. 61, §§2, 3 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 236, §3 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 538, §§14-16 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 42, §1 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 301, §§8, 9 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 85, §1 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 164, §6 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 239, §1 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 475, Pt. A, §20 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 98, §1 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 325, §3 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 637, §§2, 3 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 599, §§3-7 (AMD).