Help preserve Maine's tradition of access to private land
As a good land user, you already know you should always request landowner permission before venturing on or hunting on private land. But do you know specific laws related to game/trail cameras and treestands?
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Treestands/Observation Stands:
- It is unlawful to insert any metallic or ceramic object into a tree on another person’s land for the purpose of erecting a ladder or observation stand, unless you have permission from the landowner.
- You must obtain verbal or written permission of the landowner (or representative) to erect or use a portable or permanent ladder or observation stand.
- The ladder or observation stand must be plainly labeled with a 2-inch by 4-inch tag with the names and addresses of everyone the landowner has authorized to use it. Learn more about observation stand requirements.
Exception: Portable ladders or observation stands used on land within the jurisdiction of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission (unorganized and deorganized areas) and attended by the person who owns the ladder or observation stand do not require landowner permission or labeling, but permanent ones do. Permission is required before inserting any metallic or ceramic object into a tree.
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Game/Trail Cameras: Game cameras require written permission from the landowner before being placed, and must be labeled with the owner's name and contact information.
When obtaining landowner permission to hunt on private land, you should also ask where you can or cannot drive or park a vehicle, if you can cut a shooting lane (required by law), and about specific hunting seasons. For example, landowners may allow you to hunt deer, but not wild turkeys in the spring. And remember, if your friend or hunting partner wants to come along, they need to obtain landowner permission too.
Thanks for respecting Maine's generous private landowners!
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Updated Law: Abuse of Another Persons Property While Hunting (12 MRSA §10652)
It is unlawful to tear down a fence or wall, trample or destroy any crop, leave open any bars or gates, destroy, tear down, deface or otherwise damage a property posting sign, or insert objects into trees on another person’s land without permission.
If the landowner or the landowner's representative finds an abandoned ladder or observation stand or an abandoned camera or electronic surveillance equipment (trail/game camera), and the owner of that abandoned equipment is unknown, the landowner or the landowner's representative may take ownership of the abandoned ladder or observation stand or the abandoned camera or electronic surveillance equipment. The landowner or the landowner's representative may remove, destroy, sell or possess the abandoned ladder or observation stand, or the abandoned camera or electronic surveillance equipment. For the purposes of this subparagraph, "abandoned ladder or observation stand" means a ladder or observation stand left on property not owned by the person who owns the ladder or observation stand without permission of the landowner or the landowner's representative. For purposes of this section, "abandoned camera or electronic surveillance equipment" means a camera or electronic surveillance equipment left on property not owned by the person who owns the camera or electronic surveillance equipment without permission of the landowner or the landowner's representa tive (33 MRSA §2001). Learn more.
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