During the Maine hunting season, resident and non-resident may take multiple game species including deer, moose, bear, and even small game. HFH program encourage sportsmen to give their game to state-wide needy families, allowing access to privately owned regions.
This page covers all the details you need to know about different game species under MDIFW regulations.
ME Hunting Schedule
Deer
| Method | Dates | Zones |
|---|---|---|
| Expanded Archery | Sep 6 – Dec 13, 2025 | Designated areas only |
| Regular Archery | Oct 4 – Oct 31, 2025 | All |
| Youth Deer Hunt | Oct 24 – Oct 25, 2025 | All |
| Maine Resident Only Day | Nov 1, 2025 | All |
| Firearms Season | Nov 3 – Nov 29, 2025 | All |
| Muzzleloader Statewide | Dec 1 – Dec 6, 2025 | All |
| Muzzleloader | Dec 8 – Dec 13, 2025 | Zones 12, 13, 15-18, 20-26, 29 |
- The application period for permits is from February through May each year.
- Note:
- Deer hunting in Maine is allowed from October 29, through December 10, Individuals with antlerless permits may only take deer with antlers that are at least 3 inches long in designated WMDs/subunits. For more details, please read Antlerless Permits.
Moose (By Permit only)
| Method | Dates | Zones |
|---|---|---|
| Antlerless-Only | TBD – TBD | 4A (Adaptive Unit Hunt) |
| Bull-Only | Sep 22 – Sep 27, 2025 | 1-6, 10, 11, 18, 19, 27, 28 |
| Bull-Only | Oct 13 – Oct 18, 2025 | 1-15, 17-19, 27, 28 |
| Antlerless-Only | Oct 27 – Nov 1, 2025 | 1-6, 8 |
Bear
| Method | Dates | Zones |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Bear Hunting Day | Aug 23, 2025 | All |
| General Hunting Season | Aug 25 – Nov 29, 2025 | All |
| Hunting with Bait | Aug 25 – Sep 20, 2025 | All |
| Bear Trapping | Sep 1 – Oct 31, 2025 | All |
| Hunting with Dogs | Sep 8 – Oct 31, 2025 | All |
Turkey
| Season | Method | Dates | Zones | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Wild Turkey | Archery equipment or shotgun | May 4 – Jun 6, 2026 | 7, 9-29 | 2 bearded Wild Turkeys |
| Spring Wild Turkey | Archery equipment or shotgun | May 4 – Jun 6, 2026 | 1-6, 8 | 1 bearded Wild Turkey |
| Youth Spring Turkey Day | Archery equipment or shotgun | May 2, 2026 | WMDs with 2-bird limits | Up to 2 bearded Wild Turkeys |
| Fall Wild Turkey | Archery equipment or shotgun | Sep 15 – Nov 7, 2025 | 15-17, 20-25 | 5 Wild Turkeys (max 2/day per permit holder) |
| Fall Wild Turkey | Archery equipment or shotgun | Sep 15 – Nov 7, 2025 | 26 | 3 Wild Turkeys |
| Fall Wild Turkey | Archery equipment or shotgun | Sep 15 – Nov 7, 2025 | 28 | 2 Wild Turkeys |
| Fall Wild Turkey | Archery equipment or shotgun | Sep 15 – Nov 7, 2025 | 6-8, 10-14, 18, 19, 27, 29 | 1 Wild Turkey |
| Fall Wild Turkey | Archery equipment or shotgun | Closed | 1-5, 9 | Closed to taking of Wild Turkeys |
| Youth Fall Turkey Day | Archery equipment or shotgun | Sep 13, 2025 | All open zones | Per zone bag limits |
Furbearers
| Species | Dates | Zones | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gray Squirrel | Sep 27 – Dec 31, 2025 | All | 4 | 8 |
| Gray Squirrel (Falconry) | Sep 27, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | All | 4 | 8 |
| Snowshoe Hare | Sep 27, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026 | All | 4 | 8 |
| Snowshoe Hare (Vinalhaven) | Sep 27, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | Island | 4 | 8 |
| Bobcat | Dec 1, 2025 – Feb 21, 2026 | All | No Limit | No Limit |
| Fox | Oct 20, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | All | No Limit | No Limit |
| Raccoon | Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2025 | All | No Limit | No Limit |
| Skunk, Opossum | Oct 20 – Dec 31, 2025 | All | No Limit | No Limit |
| Coyote (Daylight Hours) | No Closed Season | All | No Limit | No Limit |
| Coyote (Night Hunting) | Dec 16, 2025 – Aug 31, 2026 | All | No Limit | No Limit |
| Woodchuck, Porcupine, Red Squirrel | No Closed Season | All | No Limit | No Limit |
| Spruce Grouse, Lynx, Cottontail Rabbit | No Open Season | All | N/A | N/A |
Upland Birds
Quail
| Bobwhite | 27-Sep – 31-Dec | 4 per day |
Grouse
| Ruffed Grouse (Statewide) | 27-Sep – 31-Dec | 4 per day |
| Spruce Grouse | No Open Season for Hunting |
Pheasant
| 27-Sep – 31-Dec | Statewide 2 per day |
Woodcock
| TBD | 8 bag and 24 Possession |
Migratory Birds
Snipe
| Common Snipe | 1-Sep - 3-Jan | 8 bag and 24 Possession |
Rail
| Sora | 1-Sep - 21-Nov | 25 Single or combined |
| Virginia |
Crow
| Wildlife Management Districts 7-29 | 1-Aug - 23-Sep | No Limit |
| 5-Feb - 15-Apr | ||
| 1-Aug - 21-Sep |
Waterfowl
Special Youth Waterfowl Days
| Zones | |
|---|---|
| North | 16-Sep-23 |
| 9-Dec-23 | |
| South | 23-Sep-23 |
| 21-Oct-23 | |
| Coastal | 23-Sep-23 |
| 28-Oct-23 |
Special Falconry
| North Zone | 18-Dec - 7-Feb | 3 bag and 9 Possession |
|---|---|---|
| South Zone | 10-Jan - 1-Mar | |
| Coastal Zone | 10-Jan - 1-Mar |
Goose
| Categories | Zones | Daily Limit | Possession | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Canada Goose | North | 1-Sep-23 - 25-Sep-23 | 8 | 24 |
| South | 1-Sep-23 - 25-Sep-23 | 10 | 30 | |
| Coastal | 1-Sep-23 - 25-Sep-23 | |||
| Canada Goose (Regular, White-Fronted Geese) | North | 2-Oct-23 - 9-Dec-23 | 2 | 6 |
| South | 2-Oct-23 - 14-Oct-23 | 10 | 30 | |
| 1-Nov-23 - 25-Dec-23 | ||||
| Coastal | 2-Oct-23 - 7-Oct-23 | 3 | 9 | |
| 27-Oct-23 - 9-Jan-24 | ||||
| Snow Geese (Including Blue Geese) | 2-Oct-23 - 31-Jan-24 | 25 |
Scaup
| Zones | |
|---|---|
| North | 25-Sep - 2-Dec |
| South | 30-Sep - 14-Oct |
| 1-Nov - 25-Dec | |
| Coastal | 30-Sep - 7-Oct |
| 9-Nov - 9-Jan |
Teal
| Zones | |
|---|---|
| North | 25-Sep - 2-Dec |
| South | 30-Sep - 14-Oct |
| 1-Nov - 25-Dec | |
| Coastal | 30-Sep - 7-Oct |
| 9-Nov - 9-Jan |
Mergansers
| Zones | |
|---|---|
| North | 25-Sep - 2-Dec |
| South | 30-Sep - 14-Oct |
| 1-Nov - 25-Dec | |
| Coastal | 30-Sep - 7-Oct |
| 9-Nov - 9-Jan |
Brant
| Zones | Dates | Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | 25-Sep - 28-Oct | 3 | |
| South | 2-Oct - 14-Oct | ||
| 31-Oct - 20-Nov | |||
| Coastal | 2-Oct - 7-Oct | ||
| 13-Dec - 9-Jan |
Duck
| Black Ducks | North Zone | 25-Sep-23 - 2-Dec-23 |
| South Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 14-Oct-23 | |
| 1-Nov-23 - 25-Dec-23 | ||
| Coastal Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 7-Oct-23 | |
| 9-Nov-23 - 9-Jan-24 | ||
| American Coot | North Zone | 25-Sep-23 - 2-Dec-23 |
| South Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 14-Oct-23 | |
| 1-Nov-23 - 25-Dec-23 | ||
| Coastal Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 7-Oct-23 | |
| 9-Nov-23 - 9-Jan-24 | ||
| American Wigeon | North Zone | 25-Sep-23 - 2-Dec-23 |
| South Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 14-Oct-23 | |
| 1-Nov-23 - 25-Dec-23 | ||
| Coastal Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 7-Oct-23 | |
| 9-Nov-23 - 9-Jan-24 | ||
| Common Goldeneye | North Zone | 25-Sep-23 - 2-Dec-23 |
| South Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 14-Oct-23 | |
| 1-Nov-23 - 25-Dec-23 | ||
| Coastal Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 7-Oct-23 | |
| 9-Nov-23 - 9-Jan-24 | ||
| Pintails | North Zone | 25-Sep-23 - 2-Dec-23 |
| South Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 14-Oct-23 | |
| 1-Nov-23 - 25-Dec-23 | ||
| Coastal Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 7-Oct-23 | |
| 9-Nov-23 - 9-Jan-24 | ||
| Ring-Necked Duck | North Zone | 25-Sep-23 - 2-Dec-23 |
| South Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 14-Oct-23 | |
| 1-Nov-23 - 25-Dec-23 | ||
| Coastal Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 7-Oct-23 | |
| 9-Nov-23- 9-Jan-24 | ||
| Sea Ducks | North Zone | 25-Sep-23 - 2-Dec-23 |
| South Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 14-Oct-23 | |
| 1-Nov-23 - 25-Dec-23 | ||
| Coastal Zone | 30-Sep-23 - 7-Oct-23 | |
| 9-Nov-23 - 9-Jan-24 |
Duck Bag Limits
| Species | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
| All duck species | 6 | 18 |
| American Coots | 5 (within 6) | 15 (within 18) |
| Northern Pintails, Mottled Ducks, Fulvous Whistling Ducks, and Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Black Duck, Redhead, Hen Mallards, and Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Mallards (including 2 hen mallards) | 4 | 12 |
| Mergansers (Common, Red-breasted, and Hooded) | 5 (within 6) | 15 (within 18) |
| Sea Ducks (Scoter, Eider, and Long-Tailed Duck) | 3 (per species, not exceeding 1 hen eider) | 9 (per species, not exceeding 3 hen eiders) |
| Wood Ducks | 3 | 9 |
Note: During the Special Falconry period, you may bag three birds each day, individually or collectively. With the same restrictions, you may only possess nine birds. The Special Youth Waterfowl dates are on Sept. 23, Oct. 21, Oct. 28, and Dec. 9 allow all duck species, including geese, except Harlequins, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Moorhens, and Gallinules. These youth days have the same goose quota. You may also catch two black ducks in addition to six regular ducks, scoters, eiders, and long-tailed ducks.
Trapping
| Beaver | • WMDs 5, 6 & 8-11: Oct 22, 2023 - Apr 30, 2024 • WMDs 7 & 12-29: Oct 22, 2023 - Apr 15, 2024 | Varies by Wildlife Management Districts |
| Bear | • Statewide: Sep 1, 2023 - Oct 31, 2023 | Statewide |
| General Trapping | • Statewide: Oct 16, 2023 - Feb 28, 2024 |
Complete PDF Guide
#PDF Guide courtesy maine.gov
ME cast and blast
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Cast and Blast Youth Day | Saturday, September 23, 9 am - 2:30 pm EDT |
| Cast and Adult Day | Sunday, September 24 · 9am - 3pm EDT |
| Location | 744 Buckfield Road, Paris, ME, USA |
| Age Requirement | For Cast and Blast Youth Day, Participants must be between 10 and 17 years old and accompanied by an adult. |
| Participation Fee | $10.00 (cash or check only; covers participation and lunch) |
| Provided Gear | All necessary equipment will be given, but you are welcome to bring your own gear as long as a range safety officer (RSO) inspects it for safety. |
| Restrooms | Accessible on-site |
| Bottled water | $1 |
| Indoor/Outdoor Event | The event will take place both indoors and outside, so dress appropriately. |
| Recommended Items | Snacks, a camp chair or picnic blanket, sunscreen, insect repellent, a water bottle, a hat, sunglasses, and personal safety gear (such as shooting muffs, safety glasses, arm guards, etc.). |
| Contact Information | Chelsea Lathrop at chelsea.lathrop@maine.gov or 207.446.8692 |
ME License Fees
| Type | Category | Resident Fees | Nonresident Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | With bear & turkey permits | $26.00 | $115.00 |
| Resident Crossbow Permit | $56.00 | ||
| Resident Archery | $75.00 | ||
| With Turkey permits | $75.00 | ||
| Junior | Below 15 | $8.00 | $35.00 |
| Big Game | Above16 | $26.00 | $115.00 |
| Small Game | $15.00 | $75.00 | |
| Combination Hunting & Fishing | $43.00 | $150.00 | |
| Serviceman | $3.00 | ||
| Serviceman (dependent) | $20.00 | ||
| Combination Fishing & Archery | Above16 | $43.00 | |
| Hunting | Serviceman (dependent) | $10.00 | |
| Disabled War Veteran | FREE | ||
| Superpack | 207 | ||
| 3-Day Small Game | valid for 3 consecutive days | 50 | |
| Coyote Night Hunting | Permit | $4.00 | |
| Crossbow (16 and older) | $26.00 | 56 | |
| Muzzleloader (16 and older) | $13.00 | 69 | |
| Pheasant | $27.00 | ||
| State Migratory Waterfowl | $7.50 | ||
| Wild Turkey | $20.00 | ||
| Falconry | $26.00 | ||
| Deer, Moose, and Bear | Registration | $5.00 | 5 |
| Duplicate License | $2.00 | ||
| Expanded Archery Deer Permit | Antlerless | $12.00 | |
| Either-Sex | $32.00 | ||
| Outdoor Partners Program | $15.00 | ||
| 70+ Years of Age | One-time fee of $8.00 |
Note:
- Those above the age of 16 and need a license to go on any kind of hunting or trapping expedition.
- The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife issues licenses, which may be acquired either online via their website or in person through approved agents including sporting good shops and municipal offices.
- Annual permits, lifetime licenses, and licenses for particular period or species are all on the table.
- Permits and stamps, such as a migratory bird stamp or a moose license, may be necessary during certain schedule or for specific species.
- The cost of a hunting license is often more expensive for those who live outside the state.
- First-timers or those under the age of 18 who want to purchase a pursue license may be required to complete an approved hunter education and safety course.
Access Fees for North Maine Woods
| Visitor Type | Daily Use Fee | Camping Fee (Per Night) |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Residents | $11 | $12 (Residents) |
| Nonresidents | $16 | $15 (Nonresidents) |
| Children (Under 18) | Free | Free |
| Seniors (Age 70 and over) | Free | Free |
| Payment Method | Cash and Checks Only |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is bear season in ME?
The Youth Bear Hunting Day is a single day on Saturday, August 23, 2025, followed by the General Hunting Season, which runs from Monday, August 25, 2025, to Saturday, November 29, 2025, lasting 97 days. Within this, specific methods have shorter windows: Hunting with Bait (bait placement starting July 27, 2025) goes from August 25 to September 20, 2025 (27 days), Bear Trapping from September 1 to October 31, 2025 (61 days), and Hunting with Dogs from September 8 to October 31, 2025 (54 days). Counting from the first day (Youth Day, August 23) to the last day of the general season (November 29), the bear season broadly spans 99 days, though the general hunting season itself is 97 days, with an annual bag limit of 2 bears per year (1 by hunting, 1 by trapping). Thus, the full bear season in Maine for 2025, including Youth Day, lasts 99 days per your specified framework.
What are the different types of hunting seasons in Maine?
Opportunities include Muzzleloader, Firearms, Expanded Archery, and Youth Deer days, and Regular Archery and Crossbow. The four bear seasons are Youth Bear Day, General, Bait and Dog Hunting. The dates for shooting moose are location-specific and need a permit. You may participate in the spring wild turkey days in certain Wildlife Management Districts. There are schedules for taking gray squirrels, snowshoe hares, and bobcats.
When is fall turkey season Maine?
The General Hunting Season for turkey, using archery equipment or shotguns, runs from Monday, September 15, 2025, to Friday, November 7, 2025, with seasonal bag limits varying by WMD: 5 wild turkeys in WMDs 15-17 and 20-25, 3 in WMD 26, 2 in WMD 28, and 1 in WMDs 6-8, 10-14, 18, 19, 27, and 29, while WMDs 1-5 and 9 are closed to turkey hunting; hunters can take no more than two turkeys (either sex, any age) per day, not exceeding the WMD-specific limit. Additionally, the Youth Fall Wild Turkey Day is set for Saturday, September 13, 2025, giving young hunters an exclusive day before the general season begins.
What are the details for any deer permit Maine?
In Maine for 2025, the Antlerless Deer Permit (replacing the older “Any Deer Permit”) allows hunters with a valid big game license to harvest one antlerless deer in a specific Wildlife Management District (WMD) in addition to one antlered deer statewide, with applications opening in an online lottery around June to August, costing $12 plus a $2 agent fee upon winning, and usable during the firearms season (November 3-29), muzzleloader season (likely December 1-13), and potentially archery seasons (Expanded: September 6-December 13; Regular: October 4-31) in designated WMDs, though youth hunters can take antlerless deer statewide without a permit on October 24-25, with exact permit numbers and WMD allocations to be confirmed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife closer to the season.
When is Maine archery season?
The archery season is split into two distinct periods: the Expanded Archery Season, limited to designated areas, runs from Saturday, September 6, 2025, to Saturday, December 13, 2025, allowing hunters in those zones an extended period to pursue deer; and the Regular Archery Season, open to all WMDs, spans from Saturday, October 4, 2025, to Friday, October 31, 2025, offering a shorter, statewide window. Both seasons fall under an annual bag limit of one antlered deer per year
What are the bag limits for deer hunting in Maine?
Deer with antlers at least three inches long are legal to take during the general guns season and one antlered may be taken annually in Expanded Archery zones; normal archery and crossbow have separate dates and rules. Muzzleloader period, ME Residents Only Day, and Youth Deer all have their own bag limitations and dates.
When is Maine youth day?
In Maine for 2025, the Youth Deer Hunt is scheduled for Friday, October 24, and Saturday, October 25, offering young hunters a two-day exclusive opportunity to pursue deer before the regular firearms season, while the Youth Bear Hunting Day is set for Saturday, August 23, aligning with the tradition of occurring the Saturday prior to the general bear season’s start, likely on August 25, as specified in the provided framework.
When is Maine deer rifle season?
The firearms season is likely to start around late October or early November and run through late November or early December. For 2024, the season was November 4 to November 30, with a Maine Residents Only Day on November 2. Adjusting for 2025, a reasonable estimate would place the Residents Only Day on Saturday, November 1, 2025, followed by the general firearms season from Monday, November 3, 2025, to Saturday, November 29, 2025. This aligns with the tradition of starting the season the first Monday after the Residents Only Day (typically the last Saturday in October or first in November) and running for about four weeks.
When does hunting start in Maine?
In Maine, hunting season start dates for 2025 vary by species and method, as set by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), with the earliest major activity typically being the Bear Youth Day around August 23, followed by the general bear season on August 25, while deer hunting begins with the Expanded Archery Season around September 6, moose hunting in late September or early October, small game like grouse around September 29, waterfowl in late September, and spring turkey in late April or early May; exact dates depend on annual regulations and Wildlife Management Districts, so checking the latest MDIFW updates closer to the season is recommended for precision.
When does the partridge season in Maine start?
The partridge season starts on September 30 and ends on December 30. Since this is open to all of the residents, you are free to pursue partridges anywhere in the state. The daily bag limit during this period is four partridges.
Can non-residents hunt in Maine, and what are the fees?
Yes, non-residents shall be able to hunt in Maine. A deer license costs $140, a bear license is $74, and a chance at a moose permit lottery is $55.
How long is Maine hunting season?
From September to December, deer hunting includes extended archery, regular archery and crossbow, youth, Maine resident only day, guns, and muzzleloader season. Bear hunting includes youth bear day, regular , baiting, and bear trapping from August to November. Permit-only moose occurs in October and November throughout Pursuit zones. Duck game runs from September to December, with zone-specific dates and bag limitations.
What kind of hunting is in Maine?
Moose, black bear, and white-tailed deer are pursued in the state’s diverse geography and wooded regions. The state’s various environments support turkey, quail, grouse, and snowshoe hare for small game. Marshes, lakes, and rivers provide different duck hunting across the state. Guided outdoor tours and comfortable camps and lodging facilities provide immersive wildlife experiences.
Does Maine have a lifetime hunting license?
Yes, it offers a lifetime hunting licenses. A a lifetime license’s price is determined by the buyer’s age at the time of purchase. One may get a combo license for $11 if they are over 65.
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