Hunting Seasons & Licensing · ME
Maine Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonMaine offers a classic New England hunting experience across nearly 18 million acres of forestland — the most forested state in the country by percentage. The state is one of the few in the lower 48 that offers moose hunting through a lottery system. White-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, and woodcock are the primary game species. Maine's North Woods provide vast stretches of remote, roadless hunting territory accessible through logging roads and sporting camps.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery (expanded) | Sep 6 – Dec 13, 2025 | 1 deer per tag | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | Firearms | Nov 1 – Nov 29, 2025 (varies by zone) | 1 deer per tag | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| White-tailed Deer | Muzzleloader | Dec 1 – Dec 13, 2025 | 1 deer | Muzzleloader only |
| Moose | General | Late Sep – Nov (varies by zone) | 1 moose | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Black Bear | General | Aug 25 – Nov 29, 2025 | 1 bear per year | Rifle, shotgun, bow, muzzleloader |
White-tailed Deer (Archery (expanded)): Expanded archery in southern WMDs
White-tailed Deer (Firearms): Northern and southern zones have different dates. Antler point restrictions in some WMDs.
Moose (General): Permit by lottery — approximately 2,500–3,000 permits issued annually. Maine has the largest moose population in the lower 48.
Black Bear (General): Baiting, hound hunting, and trapping are all legal bear hunting methods in Maine
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | May 5 – May 31, 2026 | 2 bearded turkeys | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Select dates in Oct (varies by zone) | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow |
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruffed Grouse | General | Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2025 | 4 daily | Shotgun |
| Woodcock | General | Oct 1 – Nov 14, 2025 | 3 daily / 9 possession | Shotgun |
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Nov | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Atlantic Flyway.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowshoe Hare | General | Oct 1 – Mar 31, 2026 | 4 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $26 | — |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $115 | — |
| Resident Deer Tag | Included with hunting license | — |
| Non-Resident Deer Tag | $60 (in addition to license) | — |
| Moose Permit | $52 (resident) / $585 (non-resident) | If drawn |
| Bear Permit | $27 (resident) / $74 (non-resident) | — |
| Turkey Permit | $20 (resident) / $50 (non-resident) | — |
| Youth (under 16) | Free with hunter education | — |
| Moose Application Fee | $15 (resident) / $75 (non-resident) | — |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Maine's moose lottery is the signature draw — approximately 2,500 to 3,000 permits are issued annually through a random drawing. Applications are due in May. There is no preference or bonus point system — all draws are random. Deer and bear permits are available over the counter. Turkey permits are allocated by drawing in some zones. The state offers a unique "Any-Deer" permit system where additional permits are available in select Wildlife Management Districts to manage doe harvest.
Harvest Reporting
Maine requires mandatory registration of all deer, moose, bear, turkey, and some furbearers. Deer and moose must be registered at a tagging station within 18 hours of harvest. Bear must be registered within 18 hours. Online registration is available for some species. CWD has not been detected in Maine but surveillance is active.
Maine Wildlife Resources
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Operation Game Thief: 1-800-253-7887
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.