Cumberland County, ME Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Maine's wildlife-feeding framework sits in Title 12 (Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) and MDIFW rule 09-137 (Chapter 1 et seq.). 12 MRS § 11221 prohibits dropping, depositing, discarding, dumping, or otherwise disposing of a carcass, waste parts, or remains of a wild animal — except for normal field dressing of legally harvested game or use as legal bait. First offense is a civil violation with a fine of $100–$500; a fourth violation within five years escalates to a Class E crime. 12 MRS § 10653 makes any failure to perform a duty under Title 12, Part 13 a Class E crime, which MDIFW game wardens may apply to feeding situations that attract nuisance wildlife. Feeding deer for hunting purposes is also regulated through MDIFW rule and 12 MRS § 11455 baiting provisions. Cumberland County itself imposes no ordinance. Municipalities may, under 30-A MRS § 3001 home rule, enact bird-feeder/attractant ordinances aimed at avoiding bear conflicts — common in towns near Sebago Lake and the Presumpscot watershed — but enforcement of state wildlife law remains with MDIFW game wardens and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office for related public-safety incidents.