Maine hunting season 2026-2027 begins as early as August 28, 2026, with the youth bear hunt. The broader calendar then moves through bear, deer, moose, turkey, upland bird, small game, furbearer, and waterfowl seasons. Popular Maine game species include white-tailed deer, black bear, moose, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, gray squirrel, ducks, geese, woodcock, coyote, bobcat, and raccoon. Because Maine divides many seasons among 29 Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) and waterfowl zones, the correct date depends on where you hunt.

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A valid hunting license is only the starting point. Some species also require permits, stamps, lottery authorization, registration, or special equipment privileges. Hunters must understand bag limits, legal hunting hours, blaze orange rules, Sunday hunting restrictions, land-access requirements, and transportation laws before entering the field. Always confirm last-minute changes with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife hunting regulations before hunting.

✔ Hunting season dates
✔ Bag limits
✔ Legal hunting hours
✔ Required licenses
✔ Weapon restrictions
✔ Blaze orange rules
✔ Public land rules
✔ Hunter education requirements

Quick Overview Table

Species	Season	Weapon	Best Months	Permit Required
Deer	Sept. 12-Dec. 12, with season segments	Bow, crossbow where legal, firearm, muzzleloader	October-November	Antlerless, expanded, or muzzleloader permits may apply
Black bear	Aug. 28-Nov. 28	Firearm, bow, bait, dogs, trapping	September-October	Bear permit required
Moose	Sept. 28-Oct. 31, depending on WMD and permit	Legal firearms and archery equipment	Late September-October	Yes; lottery, auction, or special allocation
Wild turkey	May 1-June 6 and Sept. 14-Nov. 7	Shotgun or archery equipment	May and October	Spring/fall turkey permit
Ruffed grouse and quail	Sept. 26-Dec. 31	Shotgun or legal archery equipment	October-November	Hunting or small game license
Snowshoe hare	Sept. 26-Mar. 31	Shotgun, rimfire, or legal archery equipment	November-February	Small game license
Waterfowl	Sept. 1-Jan. 30, with zone dates	Shotgun and approved non-toxic shot	October-December	State waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp where required
Coyote	Open year-round; night season has separate dates	Legal firearm or archery equipment	Winter	Night permit required for night hunting

Complete Hunting Dates for Maine Hunting Season 2026-2027

Big Game

Deer

Maine deer season is divided by weapon and opportunity:

Expanded archery: Sept. 12-Dec. 12, 2026, in designated areas only.
Regular archery: Oct. 3-Oct. 30, 2026, statewide across open WMDs.
Youth deer hunt: Oct. 23-24, 2026.
Maine resident-only day: Oct. 31, 2026.
Firearms season: Nov. 2-28, 2026.
Statewide muzzleloader: Nov. 30-Dec. 5, 2026.
Additional muzzleloader season: Dec. 7-12, 2026, in WMDs 12-18 and 20-29.

The standard annual limit is one antlered deer. Antlerless deer harvest depends on permits, WMD rules, and applicable expanded-archery privileges. Hunters should check the permit requirement for the exact district before taking an antlerless deer.

Bear

Maine’s black bear season includes several distinct opportunities:

Youth bear hunt: Aug. 28-29, 2026.
General bear hunting: Aug. 31-Nov. 28, 2026.
Bear baiting: Aug. 31-Sept. 26, 2026.
Bear trapping: Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 2026.
Bear hunting with dogs: Sept. 14-Oct. 30, 2026.

The annual limit is two bears, with no more than one taken by hunting and one by trapping. A bear permit is required, and bait, dogs, and trapping each involve additional rules.

Moose

Moose hunting is available only to permit holders or authorized subpermittees. The 2026 dates include:

Bull only, WMDs 1-6, 10, 11, 18, 19, 27, and 28: Sept. 28-Oct. 3.
Bull only, WMDs 1-15, 17-19, 27, and 28: Oct. 12-17.
Antlerless only, WMDs 1-6 and 8: Oct. 26-31.

The limit is one moose per year. A permit specifies the authorized WMD, dates, and animal type. A subpermittee must remain with the permittee while hunting.

Maine does not offer regular hunting seasons for elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, bison, wild hog, javelina, or similar western big-game species.

Turkey

Spring

Youth spring turkey days: May 1-2, 2026.
All hunters: May 4-June 6, 2026.
WMDs 7 and 9-29: Up to two bearded turkeys.
WMDs 1-6 and 8: Up to one bearded turkey.

Fall

Fall turkey season: Sept. 14-Nov. 7, 2026.
WMDs 15-17 and 20-25: Five turkeys.
WMD 26: Three turkeys.
WMD 28: Two turkeys.
WMDs 3, 6-8, 10-14, 18, 19, 27, and 29: One turkey.
WMDs 1, 2, 4, 5, and 9: Closed to fall turkey hunting.

A spring/fall turkey permit and a valid hunting or archery license are generally required. Electronic calls are legal for turkey, but baiting and organized drives are prohibited.

Small Game

Maine’s principal small-game seasons are:

Gray squirrel: Sept. 26, 2026-Jan. 30, 2027; daily limit four, possession limit eight.
Snowshoe hare: Sept. 26, 2026-Mar. 31, 2027; daily limit four, possession limit eight.
Rabbit and hare hunting: Follow the applicable small-game and snowshoe-hare provisions.
Woodchuck, groundhog, jackrabbit, prairie dog, and similar species: No regular Maine season is listed under the state’s principal 2026-2027 hunting schedule.

Upland Birds

Ruffed grouse and bobwhite quail: Sept. 26-Dec. 31, 2026; daily limit four, possession limit eight.
Pheasant: Sept. 26-Dec. 31, 2026; daily limit two, possession limit four; pheasant permit required.
Maine does not list regular 2026-2027 seasons for chukar, ptarmigan, or comparable upland species found primarily in other regions.

Waterfowl

Maine’s waterfowl calendar varies by North, South, and Coastal zones.

Common snipe: Sept. 1, 2026-Jan. 2, 2027; daily eight, possession 24.
Woodcock: Sept. 26-Nov. 17, 2026; daily three, possession nine.
Sora, Virginia rails, and gallinules: Sept. 1-Nov. 20, 2026; aggregate daily limit 25.
Snow geese: Oct. 1, 2026-Jan. 30, 2027; daily limit 25.
Early Canada goose: Sept. 1-25, 2026, with zone-specific limits.
Regular Canada goose and white-fronted goose: Oct. 1, 2026-Jan. 5, 2027, with split seasons in the South and Coastal zones.
Ducks: North, Sept. 28-Dec. 5; South, Oct. 1-10 and Oct. 29-Dec. 26; Coastal, Oct. 3-10 and Nov. 5-Jan. 5.
Brant: Dates vary by zone from Sept. 28, 2026, through Jan. 5, 2027.

General duck limits are typically four daily and 12 in possession, but species-specific restrictions apply to scaup, black ducks, mallards, pintails, wood ducks, canvasbacks, eiders, and sea ducks. Hunters must use approved non-toxic shot and follow federal migratory bird requirements.

Furbearers

The published 2026-2027 schedule lists these hunting seasons:

Bobcat: Dec. 1, 2026-Feb. 20, 2027; no listed bag limit.
Raccoon: Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2026; no listed bag limit.
Skunk and opossum: Oct. 19-Dec. 31, 2026; no listed bag limit.
Coyote: No closed season during legal daytime hours.

Other furbearer seasons, including trapping seasons for beaver, mink, muskrat, otter, fox, and weasel, should be checked in the current trapping regulations rather than assumed from hunting dates.

Predators

Coyote: Open during daytime hours year-round. A separate night-hunting season runs Dec. 16-Aug. 31, with a coyote night permit.
Fox, bobcat, and raccoon: Follow the species-specific open seasons and equipment rules.
Wolf and mountain lion: Maine does not offer regular hunting seasons for these species.

Special Opportunities

Maine provides youth hunts for deer, bear, and turkey. Moose permits also include special allocations, including options for disabled veterans. Apprentice licenses allow qualified new hunters to participate under Maine’s supervision requirements. Confirm eligibility and supervision rules before applying.

Maine Hunting License Fees

License Type	Resident Fee	Nonresident Fee	Notes
Big game hunting	$26	$115	Adult license
Junior hunting	$8	$35	Generally for hunters under 16
Small game hunting	$15	$75	Three-day nonresident option: $50
Combination hunting and fishing	$48	$169	Resident and nonresident fees differ
Archery hunting	$26	$75	Six-day nonresident archery: $26
Apprentice hunting or archery	$26	$115 hunting / $75 archery	Must follow apprentice conditions
Muzzleloader permit	$13	$69	Required in addition to the appropriate license
Bear permit	$10	$74 full season	Nonresident late-season permit: $40
Wild turkey permit	$20	$20	Spring and fall permit
Moose permit	$52	$585	Permit-only hunt
Antlerless deer permit	$12	$12	Fee applies when a permit is issued
State migratory waterfowl permit	$7.50	$7.50	Federal duck stamp may also be required
Federal duck stamp	$25	$25	Required for applicable waterfowl hunters
Pheasant permit	$27	$27	Required for pheasant hunting
Coyote night permit	$4	$4	Required for night coyote hunting
Dog training and hunting permit	$12	$12	Applies to certain dog-assisted hunting
Super Pack	$212	Not listed as a standard equivalent	Resident package license
Lifetime license	Varies	Varies	Price depends on age and license combination

Agent fees may be added. Some permits are issued through lotteries or have separate application procedures.

Important Maine Hunting Regulations

Sunday hunting is prohibited.
Legal hunting hours generally run from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Coyote and raccoon have specific nighttime exceptions.
Migratory birds are generally hunted from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
Night coyote hunting requires a separate permit.
Deer baiting and feeding are prohibited from June 1 through Dec. 15.
Moose and turkey baiting and feeding are prohibited from Sept. 1 through Dec. 15.
Turkey baiting is prohibited during the spring season.
Bear baiting is legal only during the designated bait season.
Bear-bait sites require landowner permission and proper labeling.
Bait sites must be removed within 20 days after the last day hunted unless the landowner requests earlier removal.
A hunter may not use another person’s bait site without permission.
Firearms and muzzleloaders may not be discharged within 100 yards of a building without permission.
Archery projectiles may not be discharged within 100 yards of a building on another person’s land without permission.
Loaded firearms may not be used from a vehicle, motorboat, snowmobile, or ATV.
Shooting from a public paved road or within 10 feet of its pavement is prohibited.
Shooting from a controlled-access highway right-of-way is prohibited.
A crossbow in a vehicle must not be cocked and armed.
A loaded magazine may be carried in a vehicle but must not be inserted into or attached to a firearm.
Muzzleloaders used for deer must meet Maine’s definition and be at least .40 caliber.
Specific islands and sanctuaries may allow only handheld bows; crossbows are prohibited in those locations.
Blaze orange is required during applicable firearms seasons and must be worn in the required amount and manner.
Archery-only hunters should still consider wearing orange when other hunters are present.
Drones and aircraft may not assist in hunting deer, bear, or moose.
Electronic turkey calls are legal, but turkey baiting is not.
No more than six dogs may be used at one time for bear, bobcat, coyote, raccoon, or fox.
Dogs used for certain species must have owner identification and a functioning tracking collar.
Dogs may not chase or kill deer or moose.
Releasing a hunting dog onto posted land may constitute civil trespass.
Private land hunters need permission when the property is posted or permission-only.
Hunters must make a reasonable effort to retrieve harvested game.
Harvested deer, bear, moose, and turkey must be registered as required.
Accepted gifted parts must be labeled with the registrant’s name, address, and registration year.
Hunters must follow federal migratory bird rules, including approved non-toxic ammunition.
CWD-risk cervid carcasses and high-risk parts generally may not be brought into Maine.
Boned meat, cleaned skull caps, antlers, hides without attached skulls, teeth, and finished mounts are among the allowed imported parts.
Coyote night hunting must stop at midnight Saturday and resume at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
Raccoon night hunting follows a similar Saturday-night interruption.
Willfully interfering with lawful hunting or trapping is illegal.
Always check WMD closures, restricted areas, and emergency rule changes before hunting.

Best Hunting Places in Maine

Best Deer Hunting Areas

Central and northern WMDs offer extensive mixed forests, spruce-fir cover, hardwood ridges, wetlands, and logging openings. Deer hunters like the combination of cover and browse, although remote terrain can make retrieval difficult. Access includes private timberland, state lands, and public road systems. Always verify whether a parcel is open, posted, or permission-only.

Best Turkey Hunting Areas

Southern and central Maine generally provide stronger turkey habitat, especially around agricultural fields, oak stands, pasture edges, and river valleys. WMD limits vary substantially, so hunters should identify the district before planning a spring or fall hunt. Much of the best habitat is private, making landowner permission important.

Best Waterfowl Hunting Areas

The coast, tidal marshes, large lakes, river mouths, and managed wetlands attract ducks, geese, sea ducks, and brant. Coastal hunters should account for tides, weather, boat safety, and the special Coastal Zone calendar. Public launches may have additional discharge restrictions.

Best Small Game Areas

Young forests, alder edges, hardwood stands, beaver flows, and regenerating cuts are productive for hare, grouse, squirrel, and woodcock. These habitats may occur on public forestland or commercial timberland, but access rules differ by owner.

Best Public Hunting Lands

Maine’s state forests, public reserved lands, wildlife management areas, and portions of national forest provide opportunities for deer, bear, grouse, hare, turkey, and waterfowl. Remote areas require careful navigation, communications, and retrieval planning.

Best Wildlife Management Areas

Wildlife management areas protect varied habitats, including wetlands, grasslands, forest edges, and travel corridors. They are useful for scouting, but each property may have posted restrictions, seasonal closures, parking rules, or special access conditions.

Maine Bag Limits

Species	Daily Limit	Possession Limit	Special Notes
Antlered deer	Not expressed as a daily limit	One annually	Antlerless harvest requires applicable authorization
Bear	One by hunting	Two annually	Maximum one by hunting and one by trapping
Moose	One	One annually	Permit required
Spring turkey	WMD limit	One or two seasonally	Bearded birds only
Fall turkey	Up to two daily	One to five by WMD	Either-sex; some WMDs closed
Grouse/quail	Four	Eight	Statewide listed season
Pheasant	Two	Four	Pheasant permit required
Gray squirrel	Four	Eight	Season-specific
Snowshoe hare	Four	Eight	Season-specific
Woodcock	Three	Nine	Federal migratory rules apply
Common snipe	Eight	24	Migratory bird rules apply
Ducks	Four general	12 general	Species limits can be lower
Canada goose	Two to three	Six to nine	Zone and season segment matter
Brant	One	Three	Zone-specific season
Snow goose	25	No listed numerical possession limit	Confirm current federal rules
Rails/gallinules	25 aggregate	Not listed	Species aggregate applies

Legal Hunting Hours

For most Maine game, legal hunting hours are based on sunrise and sunset at Bangor, Maine, using Eastern Time. The general rule is one-half hour before sunrise through one-half hour after sunset. Waterfowl and other migratory game birds are generally limited to one-half hour before sunrise through sunset.

Coyote and raccoon may be hunted at night during their authorized seasons. Night hunting must stop at midnight Saturday and cannot resume until 12:01 a.m. Monday. Always use the official daily shooting-hour table rather than estimating sunrise or sunset.

Hunter Education Requirements

Most hunters need proof of a previous qualifying license or completion of an approved hunter safety course. Hunters under 16 generally use a junior license, while adults need the appropriate adult license.

Firearms applicants may qualify through a recognized hunter education course. Archery applicants may need archery education or proof of prior qualifying privileges. Apprentice licensing can help a new hunter participate under required supervision. Course availability, field-day rules, age provisions, and exemptions can change, so applicants should verify requirements before purchasing a license.

Public vs. Private Land Hunting

Maine offers substantial public access, but “unposted” does not always mean unrestricted. On private land, obtain permission whenever required and respect signs, gates, camps, agricultural areas, and landowner instructions. Never release hunting dogs onto posted property or land where the owner has prohibited hunting dogs.

State forests, public reserved lands, wildlife management areas, and national forest parcels may have different rules for camping, vehicles, bait, stands, fires, and seasonal closures. National wildlife refuges can impose additional federal restrictions. Confirm the managing agency’s rules before hunting.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Maine hunting season start in 2026?

The first listed opportunity is the youth bear hunt on Aug. 28, 2026. Other seasons begin later, including bear hunting on Aug. 31, snipe on Sept. 1, deer expanded archery on Sept. 12, and grouse and hare on Sept. 26.

Do I need a Maine hunting license?

Yes. Anyone hunting Maine wild birds or animals generally needs the appropriate hunting license. Additional permits may be required for bear, turkey, moose, pheasant, muzzleloader, waterfowl, antlerless deer, or night coyote hunting.

Can nonresidents hunt in Maine?

Yes. Nonresidents may hunt with the correct license, permits, stamps, and authorizations. Some options, including moose, remain permit-controlled regardless of residency.

Can I hunt on Sundays in Maine?

No. Sunday hunting is prohibited in Maine.

Can I use a crossbow during Maine deer season?

Crossbows may be legal under applicable seasons and privileges, but certain designated areas allow only handheld bow and arrow. Check the property and season rules before hunting.

Can I bait deer in Maine?

No. Deer baiting and feeding are prohibited from June 1 through Dec. 15. Bear baiting is a separate, regulated activity with designated dates and landowner-permission requirements.

Do I need blaze orange?

Blaze orange is required during applicable firearms hunting periods. Hunters should review the current clothing and visibility requirements before entering the woods.

Can I hunt Maine public land?

Yes, many public forests, wildlife areas, and reserved lands are open to hunting. However, access, parking, baiting, vehicle, and seasonal rules may vary by property.

Can I hunt coyotes at night?

Yes, during the authorized night season and with the required coyote night-hunting permit. Night hunting is subject to special hours and weekly restrictions.

Final Thoughts

Maine hunting season 2026-2027 offers a wide range of opportunities, from early bear and waterfowl seasons to deer, moose, turkey, grouse, hare, and furbearer hunts. The most important planning step is matching your license, permit, weapon, WMD, waterfowl zone, season date, and bag limit before hunting.

Responsible hunters respect landowners, wear the required blaze orange, recover all usable game, prevent the spread of CWD, and follow safe firearm and boat practices. Regulations can change during the season, so confirm the latest Maine dates, fees, permits, legal hunting hours, and emergency notices with MDIFW before every hunt.

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Eric Hale

Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com

Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.