Senator Chipman introduces bill to ban hunting in enclosed areas

AUGUSTA — Last week, Senator Ben Chipman, D-Portland, introduced a bill to ban hunting in enclosed areas, such as hunting lodges and game ranches. LD 1068, “An Act to Ban the Hunting of Animals in Enclosed Areas,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

“It is time to finally put an end to these so-called ‘canned hunting’ operations,” Senator Chipman said. “The vast majority of the public and hunters are against canned hunting, and it has no place in Maine’s hunting tradition.”

LD 1068 would prohibit the operation of all game ranches in Maine. Game ranches, also known as canned hunts, captive hunting operations, and shooting preserves, offer amateur hunters the experience of hunting in a controlled environment. This legislation would establish any violation of this law as a Class E crime.  

There are currently 6 hunting ranches still in operation in Maine. By banning canned hunting Maine, the state would be joining 26 other states in taking action against this practice. Non-native animals such as elk, red deer, fallow deer, bison and wild boar are raised domestically on farms ranging from 100 acres to 600 acres.

These ranches also serve as a catalyst for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD is a neurological illness that affects members of the deer family. When animals are subjected to confined spaces, such as a hunting ranch, CWD can spread among a variety of species. Wild deer, elk, and moose have been reported to suffer from CWD in 29 states in the U.S. 18 of those states are home to active hunting ranches with documented cases of chronic wasting disease.

The proposed legislation would provide a 2-year phase-out to help existing operations mitigate their losses. For many of these ranches, canned hunting is not their only source of income. In many cases, ranches provide other services such as lodging, meals, butchering and taxidermy, specialized guiding, fishing and more.

LD 1068 faces further action in committee.

###