ME LD1343

Establishes a statutory definition of "harvest" in both marine resources law (12 MRSA §6001) and inland fisheries and wildlife law (12 MRSA §10001) to include gathering, foraging, catching, trapping, hunting, fishing, taking, or killing for food, health, sport, wildlife management, or population control

Declares that Maine residents have the right to harvest wildlife by hunting, fishing, or trapping, codifying this in new section 12 MRSA §10050

Links the right to harvest wildlife to Maine's constitutional right to food provision (Article I, Section 25)

Recognizes wildlife harvesting as part of Maine's cultural heritage and as essential to the state's economy, wildlife management funding, and biological management of natural communities

Requires the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to vigorously enforce applicable laws, rules, and regulations governing wildlife harvesting