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An Act Regarding the Placement of Bait To Attract Wild Animals or Birds for Hunting
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA §11227  is enacted to read:
§ 11227. Placement of bait for hunting
 
1.  Definitions.   As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
 
A.  "Bait" means any animal or plant or derivative of any animal or plant used to attract or hunt wild animals or wild birds. "Bait" does not include any packaging or container materials that fall within the definition of "litter" under Title 17, section 2263, subsection 2.
 
2.  Placement of bait.   A person may not place bait unless:
 
A.  The person placing bait has permission of the landowner; and
 
B.  The stand, blind or bait area is plainly labeled with a 2-inch-by-4-inch tag with the name and address of the person placing the bait and the name of the landowner.
 
3.  Hunting over bait.   A person may not hunt over bait unless:
 
A.  The person hunting over bait has permission of the landowner;
 
B.  The stand, blind or bait area is plainly labeled with a 2-inch-by-4-inch tag with the name and address of the person placing the bait and the name of the landowner; and
 
C.  The person hunting from any stand or blind overlooking baited areas has the permission of the owner of the stand or blind.
 
4.  Responsibility for cleanup.   A person placing bait and any person hunting over the bait are jointly and severally responsible for ensuring that the bait area is cleaned up within 10 days of the request of the landowner or within 10 days of the close of the season on the specific animal or bird being hunted, whichever comes first.
 
5.  Construction.   Nothing in this section authorizes hunting of wild animals or wild birds that is otherwise prohibited by statute or rule.
 
The requirements of this section are in addition to the requirements of section 11301 for bear baiting.
 
SUMMARY
This bill will bring Maine's baiting laws into conformity for different species by requiring labeling of bait sites, owner permission and cleanup of bait areas within a specific period of time.