HUNTING SEASONS IN MAINE 2025–26: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide

Plan your 2025–26 ME hunt with our comprehensive guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to moose to ducks. Whether you’re drawing an arrow for a rutting buck in spruce‑fir forests, tracking moose along river corridors, or setting decoys for migrating ducks over tidal marshes, Maine’s woods, wetlands, and mountains offer world‑class big game and small game opportunities under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Maine? Maine’s abundant wildlife includes: Big Game: Whitetail deer, moose (draw only), black bear, wild turkey Small Game & Upland Birds: Ruffed grouse, woodcock, snowshoe hare, rabbits, gray squirrels Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, black duck), geese, brant, mergansers, rails, coots, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, fox, raccoon, beaver, muskrat, bobcat From northern woods to southern farmlands, Maine’s varied habitats support diverse seasons and healthy populations. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Maine? On private lands with landowner permission, unprotected or nuisance species like coyote, raccoon, opossum, and nutria have no closed season and no bag limits, aiding predator control. Public lands and WMAs enforce posted season and method restrictions—always confirm before hunting. Maine Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Whitetail Deer Archery: Oct 1 – Nov 15, 2025 Youth Rifle Weekend: Oct 18 – 19, 2025 General Rifle: Nov 15 – Nov 30, 2025 Muzzleloader: Dec 1 – Dec 7, 2025 Late Bow: Dec 8 – Dec 31, 2025 Maine’s deer seasons span bow, rifle, and muzzleloader. Bag limit: one antlered buck; antlerless tags by quota. License required for archery, rifle, and muzzleloader seasons. Moose Draw Hunts Only: Sept 15 – Sept 30, 2025 (downeast); Oct 15 – Oct 31, 2025 (northern zones) Moose tags allocate via lottery. Only one moose per season; harvest reporting and sample submission mandatory for CWD monitoring. Black Bear Archery/Dog: Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025 General Firearms: Oct 1 – Oct 31, 2025 Bait/Snare: Specific WMAs only; check regulations Bear hunts allow bait, dogs, and archery; proper license and tagging ensure population health. Wild Turkey (Spring) Season: Apr 25 – May 27, 2026 Youth Hunt: Apr 18 – 24, 2026 Fall Archery: Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025 (limited draw) Spring turkey hunts combine shotgun and archery. Draw for fall archery tags; youth hunts promote early engagement in bird hunting. Maine Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Upland Game & Small Mammals Ruffed Grouse: Sept 20 – Nov 30, 2025 Woodcock: Oct 1 – Nov 15, 2025 Snowshoe Hare & Rabbit: Oct 1 – Jan 31, 2026 Gray Squirrel: Sept 1 – Jan 31, 2026 Walk forest trails for grouse and woodcock; shotgun and non-toxic shot required for upland birds. Waterfowl & Migratory Birds Duck & Goose: Oct 27 – Nov 28 & Dec 1 – Jan 31, 2026 Brant & Merganser: Specific zone splits—check the license booklet Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Nov 30, 2025 Mourning Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 30, 2025 Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; Federal Duck Stamp, HIP, and state waterfowl permit required Maine’s coastal marshes and inland impoundments draw migrating flocks. Licenses and stamp validations fund wetland conservation. Bag Limits by Species Whitetail Deer: 1 buck per season; antlerless as allowed Moose & Bear: 1 per permit Wild Turkey: 2 per spring; 1 fall youth Ducks: 7 per day; species sub‑limits (2 black duck, etc.) Geese: 4 per day in Atlantic Flyway Ruffed & Woodcock: 3 per day; 9 in possession Rabbit & Hare: 10 per day each Coyote & Furbearers: No limit on private lands Bag limits ensure balanced big game and small game populations for future seasons. License & Tags Information for Maine Hunters (2025–26) All hunters must carry a valid IFW license and required tags: Resident License: $18 (archery); $18 (rifle); combination discounts Nonresident License: $70 (archery); $110 (rifle) Moose & Turkey Tags: $15; draw only Waterfowl Stamp: $15; Federal Duck Stamp & HIP required Bear Permit: $12; over‑the‑counter or draw Hunter Education: Certification mandatory for first‑time hunters Licenses fund wildlife management, habitat restoration, and educational programs. Tag draws open mid‑summer. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader Maine permits: Archery: Compound, recurve bows, crossbows (archery seasons) Firearms: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns (slugs & buckshot) Muzzleloaders: Single‑shot black‑powder firearms Dogs & Bait: Allowed for bear and turkey per area rules; waterfowlers use decoys Ensure compliance with weapon regulation: minimum calibers, draw weights, and non‑toxic shot for wetlands. Regulations & Resources Maine IFW regulations cover: Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset (waterfowl sunrise rule) Zone Maps & Unit Boundaries: WMAs and management districts online Harvest Reporting: Deer, moose, turkey within 24 hrs via phone or portal Special Areas: Wildlife refuges, controlled bear hound zones, and CWD surveillance sites Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW): https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/hunting/laws-rules/season-dates-bag-limits.html With well-defined seasons, clear bag limits, and streamlined license systems, Maine offers exceptional hunting for deer, moose, turkey, waterfowl, and predators. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure the proper tags, and explore Maine’s rugged wilderness on your 2025–26 hunt.