Public access to private land is a longstanding tradition in Maine. More than 94% of land is privately owned, and more than half of that is open to the public for outdoor recreation. This access is an incredible gift.
Hunting with dogs is part of Maine’s hunting heritage and a method used by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) to maintain healthy wildlife populations.
To help alleviate conflicts between private landowners and hunters pursuing bear, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, and fox with hunting dogs, a group of landowners and hunters formed a stakeholder group led by MDIFW. The group identified solutions to meet the needs of both hunters and private landowners, resulting in the Civil Trespass with Hunting Dog law outlined below.
Civil Trespass with Hunting Dogs
The new Civil Trespass with Hunting Dogs law, effective August 8, 2022, applies to anyone who is using a dog to:
Hunt for bear, coyote, fox, bobcat, or racoon; or
Train for bear, fox, and raccoon
It does not apply to anyone who is using a dog to hunt snowshoe hare, waterfowl, ruffed grouse, woodcock, wild turkey, and other species of waterfowl or migratory birds.
Permit Requirement: Persons 16 years of age or older engaged in hunting bear, coyote, fox, bobcat or raccoon OR who are training to hunt bear, fox or raccoon are required to have a Dog Training and Hunting Permit. Permits are available for purchase for $12 (plus agent fee) online at mefishwildlife.com or at a local license agent. Proceeds from this permit go to the Landowner Relations Fund.
Exception: A person who is training or hunting with a dog under the supervision of and in the presence of a registered Maine hunting guide who has a valid Dog Training and Hunting Permit is exempt from possessing the
