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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 543H.P. 362House of Representatives, February 11, 2025
An Act to Enhance Maine's Wildlife Conservation Efforts and
Preserve Maine's Sporting Heritage by Requiring Hunter Safety
Education in Schools
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative ARDELL of Monticello.
Cosponsored by Representatives: DAIGLE of Fort Kent, NUTTING of Oakland, PAUL of
Winterport, PERKINS of Dover-Foxcroft, SWALLOW of Houlton, THORNE of Carmel,
Senators: BERNARD of Aroostook, HARRINGTON of York. Page 1 - 132LR1042(01)
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4 The elements of a firearm hunter safety course must be
5 taught in all public and private schools, and successful completion of the course is required
6 for graduation from all secondary schools. The course, or its elements, must be taught no
7 later than grade 9 and must address the following topics:
8 A. Survival and first aid practices;
9 B. Landowner relations;
10 C. Hunter ethics;
11 D. The State's hunting laws;
12 E. Hands-on practice of safe firearms handling;
13 F. Hands-on instruction of map and compass usage and outdoor survival; and
14 G. Wildlife conservation and biology.
15 A student who successfully completes a
16 firearm hunter safety course under this section is entitled to a hunter safety certificate
17 provided by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and satisfies the requirement
18 in Title 12, section 11105.
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20 This bill adds a requirement that the elements of a firearm hunter safety course must
21 be taught no later than grade 9 in all public and private schools in Maine. Successful
22 completion of the course will result in the issuance to the student of a hunter safety
23 certificate that satisfies the safety course requirement for obtaining an adult hunting license
24 in Maine.
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