Despite a state budget crisis of unparalleled proportion, our elected lawmakers still managed to stay in session and pass a parcel of new laws. As in other more salutary years, there were dozens of frivolous legislative documents, outrageous attempts at legislative change, and just plain pointless proposals that, thankfully, never made it beyond committee.

In the Fish and Wildlife arena, the most unworthy legislative initiatives that shall live in infamy were a bill to ban coyote snaring, a bill to ban bear baiting, and a bill to ban January ice fishing.

A number of new Fish and Wildlife legislative proposals did make it to enactment and are either on the books (emergency legislation), or will be effective Sept. 13 (non-emergency legislation). I have taken the liberty of reviewing all of them, dividing them up into three categories and providing you with this summary. The categories are: 1) Significant 2) Somewhat significant, and 3) Ho Hum.

By my reckoning more than half of the new Fish and Wildlife legislation falls under the third category, and will remain unmentioned in this summary. Please be advised that just because a new law rates the first category (significant) does not mean neccessarily that it is good, or that you will like it. So brace yourself. Here is the most significant legislative handiwork that will change things forever for those of us who try to enjoy the Maine outdoors.

1. Budget Law: Increase in ATV registration fees. Nonresident fees $69 and resident fees $33. Starting January 1, 2004 there will be an across the board $3 increase on all licenses and permit fees. There is a sunset provision that is supposed to repeal this fee increase at the end of the year. (Don’t bet the farm on it.)

2. Helmet Law: All snowmobile operators under 18 years of age will be required to wear a helmet.

3. Hunting Simplification Law: Hunting hours become consistent on all game, including upland birds. No more prohibition on twilight hunting. Legal hunting starts at a half hour before sunrise and ceases a half hour after sunset. Additionally, it is now legal to shoot at game from a motorboat as long as the boat is not under power. Effective Sept. 13, it will no longer be illegal to possess in your freezer more than your daily limit of game as long as the meat was legally acquired. Also simplified was the law that regulates the transporting and tagging of game animals.

4. Coyote Control Law: After repeated legislative attempts by anti-hunting factions to ban coyote snaring, the Fish and Wildlife’s coyote snaring policy was more or less safeguarded by enactment of the policy as a state statute.

Those are the significant changes. Here are the new laws that fall into the “somewhat significant” category.

1. Illegal Stocking Law: Although it has always been against the law to stock non-native fish species in a body of water, this new law makes so called “bucket stocking” a criminal violation.

2. Define Muzzleloaders Law: This law, which was pushed hard by MMSA (Maine Muzzleloading Sports Association), defines blackpowder guns.This legal definition is a neccessary precurser to the enactment of new blackpowder hunt opportunities.

3. ATV Reciprocity Law: This repeals Maine’s registration reciprocity arrangement with other states.

4. Tracking Fee Law: Houndsmen who are retained to help track a wounded game animal may now charge a fee for services rendered. A guide’s license is not required.

5. Hunting Zone Swap Law: Hunters holding legal permits to hunt management zones may now swap zones. This must be done administratively through the Fish and Wildlife Department. There is a $5 fee.

What’s the most important change? If you ask me, the hunting simplification law was long overdue.The confusing and inconsistent legal hunting hours were due for an overhaul. Both Fish and Wildlife’s new leadership, as well as the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine (SAM), which pushed hard for this, are to be commended.

If you have questions about these news laws, Andrea Erskine, who is the Fish and Wildlife Department’s legal affairs officer, may be able to provide answers. Her contact number is 287-5201, or you can e-mail her at Andrea.Erskine@maine.gov.

V. Paul Reynolds is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal.He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WCME-FM 96.7) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is paul@sportingjournal.com.

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