Sen. Hickman bill strengthening the right to hunt and fish advances in Maine Legislature

AUGUSTA — Today, the Maine Senate voted to enact a bill introduced by Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, which strengthens Mainers’ right to food. The bill, LD 1343, “An Act to Protect the Right to Harvest Fish and Wildlife,” establishes a statutory right to hunt and fish pursuant to Maine’s Constitution. The bill now goes to the Governor’s desk.

“I am most grateful to my colleagues for seeing the value in strengthening the constitutional right that Maine voters passed in 2021,” said Sen. Hickman. “This bill will make clear that harvesting food in all manners — including hunting and fishing — are clearly protected constitutional and statutory rights.”

LD 1343 establishes that, pursuant to the right to food as declared in the Constitution of Maine, Article I, Section 25, the people of this state have a right to harvest fish and wildlife by hunting, fishing or trapping for their own nourishment, sustenance, bodily health or well-being, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations.  

The Governor now has 10 days to sign the bill, veto it or allow it to go into law without her signature.

Sen. Hickman represents Senate District 14, which includes the towns of Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Wayne, West Gardiner and Winthrop in Kennebec County.

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