Why It Matters: Though hunting, fishing, and harvesting wildlife (including by trapping) have long been our heritage, dating back to before the first Europeans arrived in North America, only recently has the “right” to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife come into question. To establish in perpetuity what has been assumed for centuries, 24 states have already successfully provided their citizens a right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife in their state constitutions. This session, Maine has an opportunity to do so as well on the heels of a very successful 2024 campaign cycle via Florida’s Amendment 2 passage.
Highlights:
- Maine LD 820 seeks to amend the Maine State Constitution to include the right to hunt, fish and harvest game and fish, by use of traditional methods
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted testimony in support of the proposed amendment and testified in person in the Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries & Wildlife on March 12, 2025.
- If passed and sent to the citizens of Maine, Maine stands to become the 25th state in the country with such constitutional backing for the sporting-conservation community, the primary funders of conservation in the Pine Tree State.
On March 12, 2025 CSF testified in committee in support of Maine LD 820. This bill seeks to amend the Maine State Constitution by adding the following language: “Section 26. Right to hunt, fish and harvest game and fish. The right of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game and fish, including by the use of traditional methods, may not be infringed, subject to reasonable laws enacted by the Legislature, and reasonable rules adopted by the state agency designated for fish and wildlife management as provided by statute, to promote wildlife conservation and management and to preserve the future of hunting and fishing. Public hunting and fishing are the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. This section may not be construed to modify any provision of the law relating to eminent domain, trespass or property rights.”
While there was more support for LD 820 during the March 12th public hearing of the Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, oppositional arguments held tight to what they consider precedent-setting court ruling’s detailing hunting as a means of harvest as Maine voters enshrined the unalienable constitutional right to harvest food in 2021. While true, this court ruling lacks language guaranteeing Maine citizens the right to fish and harvest game by traditional methods. Moreover, while a Supreme Court ruling may be strong in and of itself, it is not bulletproof. It can be challenged and overturned like any other ruling. Maine citizens deserve the constitutional backing of a Right to Hunt and Fish amendment. Additional concerns spoke about the ability of Maine’s Warden Service to exercise their duties and authority with such an amendment in place. Of course, CSF’s preferred language used in LD 820, allows for status quo to be maintained and no ceding of authority of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The professionals of the Maine Warden Services would continue to operate as normal.
Finally, CSF’s Fred Bird spoke with National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council Member, and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee member, Representative Steve Wood for his thoughts.
“We’re hoping to get it [LD 820] passed. We’re hoping things work out in the working group and can move the bill along in the legislative process,” said Representative Wood. “There’s an important distinction in the bill’s language that expressly outlines the Right to Hunt and Fish using traditional methods vs. some of the language opponents have cited that only specifies harvest by way of hunting for food. LD 820 details, hunting, fishing and the use of traditional methods, guaranteeing all Maine citizens this right while not infringing in any way upon the well-established management authority of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.”
CSF looks forward to working with the members of the Maine Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and in-state and national partners to keep LD 820 moving through the legislature and give Maine residents the opportunity to vote on this proposed amendment on the 2025 ballot.
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