Rulemaking Proposals Open to Public Comment

Notice of Agency Rule-making Proposal

ADVERTISE: April 6, 2022 

AGENCY: 09-137 Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 16.08 – Moose Hunting (permit allocations)

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 

BRIEF SUMMARY: The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing moose permit allocation numbers for moose hunting permits to be issued for the 2022 moose hunting season. Permits will be issued for antlered, antlerless and any-moose. Proposed permit allocations according to Wildlife Management District are as follows:

WMD 1 – 450 antlered / 175 antlerless	WMD 13 – 15 antlered
WMD 2 – 350 antlered /175 antlerless	WMD 14 – 30 antlered
WMD 3 – 200 antlered / 125 antlerless	WMD 15 – 25 any-moose
WMD 4 – 400 antlered / 100 antlerless	WMD 16 – 15 any-moose
WMD 4A (adaptive hunt) – 550 antlerless	WMD 17 – 10 antlered
WMD 5 – 250 antlered / 125 antlerless	WMD 18 – 40 antlered
WMD 6 – 200 antlered / 60 antlerless	WMD 19 – 60 antlered
WMD 7 – 125 antlered	WMD 27 & 28 (combined) – 40 antlered
WMD 8 – 200 antlered / 100 antlerless
WMD 9 - 125 antlered
WMD 10 – 60 antlered
WMD 11 – 50 antlered
WMD 12 – 25 antlered
TOTAL: 2,630 antlered / 1410 antlerless / 40 any-moose

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ADVERTISE: April 13, 2022 

AGENCY: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 16 - Hunting

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER (leave blank; assigned by Secretary of State):

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 41 State House Station, 353 Water Street, Augusta, ME 04333; Tel: 207-287-5202; becky.orff@maine.gov

CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION (if different):

PUBLIC HEARING: Monday, May 2, 2022 @ 4:00pm – Camden National Bank Ice Vault, 203 Whitten Rd, Hallowell, ME

COMMENT DEADLINE: May 12, 2022 

BRIEF SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing several changes to Chapter 16 rules which will affect the antlerless deer permit system. These rules, if adopted, will work in conjunction with law changes from the 2nd regular session of the 130th Maine Legislature. The proposed rules include a change in reference from any-deer permits to antlerless deer permits, and these antlerless deer permits will allow hunters to take an additional antlerless deer in a designated Wildlife Management District (WMD) or portion of a WMD. The proposed rule will allow hunters to choose two preferred WMDs or portions of a WMD when applying for the lottery drawing. Lastly, the proposed rule will allow the Commissioner to designate which WMDs will allow hunters to take an antlerless deer without a permit during the youth day and regular archery deer hunting seasons. Youth hunters on youth day will be able to take an antlerless deer without a permit statewide, and archery hunters during the regular archery season will be able to take an antlerless deer without a permit in WMDs 12, 13, 15-18, 20-26, and 29 for the 2022 hunting season. A complete copy of the proposed rule may be requested from the agency contact person.

IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: No fiscal impact is anticipated.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS, Sections 10104 and 11152

SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):

E-MAIL FOR OVERALL AGENCY RULE-MAKING LIAISON: Becky.Orff@maine.gov