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What Not To Do If You’ve Lost Your Maine Fish And Game License

Posted by Will Ashe, Esq.Dec 04, 20200 Comments

William Ashe attorney Guidelines and consequences for lost Maine Fish and Game licenses.

In Maine, you need to have your fish and game license active at all times while you're participating in these types of activities. In fact, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, mere “Possession of fishing tackle in the fields or forests or on the waters or ice of this State without a fishing license is prima facie evidence of fishing in violation of the law.” Similar directives exist for hunting without a fully active game license.

If you have lost your fish and game license and you hope to reinstate it as promptly as possible, you need to avoid fishing or hunting for as long as you don't have it. However, that isn't the only guideline that you should keep in mind.

Maine Hunting And Fishing Violations That Won't Help Your Case

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Commissioner has the power to revoke license privileges of anyone who commits certain violations.

It can be tempting to think that you don't have other privileges to lose since you've already lost your license.

This is inaccurate. Depending on the severity of the infraction, those who break these rules may face penalties in court – including fines and charges, according to Maine Legislature Title 12, Part 13, Chapter 913: §10802. Additionally, the state can extend the revocation of your license or deny any future applications you may file.

The General Fishing and Hunting sections of the Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website have details on specific illicit actions. These include:

  • Violating the parameters of open and closed seasons
  • hunting
  • Hunting too close to a residential dwelling
  • Tearing down property posting signs
  • Failing to label fish appropriately
  • Adding antifreeze to State waters
  • Littering
  • Hunting or fishing beyond legal possession limits

Unfortunately, doing any of these activities will make your situation worse.

While you've lost your Maine fish and game license, your priority is likely to get it back as soon as you can. Avoid doing these things, and you'll be able to get your license back sooner rather than later.