Your Guide to the Hunting Seasons in Maine 2025

It's also an excellent state for an Eastern moose hunt.

So, what do you need to know to plan for the hunting seasons in Maine? Use this guide to learn about season dates, bag limits, hunting licenses, and more. We'll also help you find the best public or private land for a successful hunt.

Updated May 9, 2025

Why Do Hunters Hunt in Maine?

Despite its small size, Maine is a great state to hunt a variety of wild game, including big game. The state has more 200-lb whitetail bucks per square mile than almost any other state.

Plus, the turkey population has made a comeback, so you also have opportunities to bring home a gobbler.

So, if you're after moose, bear, whitetail, and turkey this year, Maine offers all of this and more. Or, if you're thinking of smaller game hunts, you'll find plenty of pheasant, quail, and waterfowl to fit that "bill."

Where Should I Hunt?

Don't be fooled by the overall size of the state! There's plenty of land to hunt in Maine.

The state manages over 120,000 acres of land through Wildlife Management Units (WMAs). Hunters can also hunt in some state parts and public reserved lands. The state is also divided into 29 Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) to help with management recommendations.

Additionally, about 94% of the state's forested land is privately owned — with about half of that area open to hunters. This comes to about 10 million acres to track game and tag out. Much of the terrain is marked by lots of forests and unpopulated areas, which is perfect for big game habitats and beautiful treks to tag out.

With HuntWise, you can scout the land to find the best places for your hunt — even before you pack your gear and head out. Our map layers (including LiDAR) and public/private boundary lines help you visualize various hunt areas so you're prepared for any hunt, any season.

When Can I Hunt?

The good news is that the hunting seasons in Maine are straightforward, making it easy to plan your year around the game and open seasons for your hunts. However, you'll want to plan ahead for a moose hunt, as these hunts are by permit only.

Note that season dates can vary based on specific WMDs, so pay close attention to where you plan to hunt for the correct season dates.

Please note that the season information we provide here is the latest available from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW). We'll update this guide with new season information as it becomes available.

We also recommend checking official resources for the latest hunting season dates in case any information changes as you plan your hunt.  

Deer

• Expanded Archery (Designated Areas Only): September 6 – December 13, 2025

• Regular Archery: October 4 – 31, 2025

• Youth Deer: October 24 – 25, 2025

• Maine Residents-Only Day: November 1, 2025

• Firearms: November 3 – 29, 2025

• Muzzleloader (Statewide): December 1 – 6, 2025

• Muzzleloader (WMDs 12, 23, 15-18, 20-26, 29): December 8 – 13, 2025

Bear Hunting Season in Maine

• Youth Bear Day: August 12, 2025

• General Season: August 25 – November 29, 2025

• Hunting with Bait: August 25 – September 20, 2025

• Trapping: September 1 – October 31, 2025

• Hunting with Dogs: September 8 – October 31, 2025

When hunting with bait, hunters can place the bait on July 27, 2025.

Moose

Moose hunts are by permit only. The permit application period runs from April through May each year.

• Antlerless (WMD 4A): TBD

• Bull (WMDs 1-6, 10, 11, 18, 19, 27, & 28): Setember 22 – 27, 2025

• Bull (WMDs 1-15, 17-19, 27, & 28): October 13 – 18, 2025

• Antleress (WMDs 1-6 & 8): October 27 – November 1, 2025

Turkey

Spring

Archery or Shotgun

• All Hunters (WMDs 7, 9-29): April 28 – May 31, 2025

• Youth Day: April 26, 2025

Fall

Archery or Shotgun

• General (WMDs 15-17, 20-25, 26, 28, 6-8, 10-14, 18, 19, 27, 29, 1-5, & 9): September 15 – November 7, 2025

• Youth Day: September 13, 2025

Maine Waterfowl Season

• Ducks

  • North Zone: September 23 – November 30

  • South Zone: October 1 – 12 and October 30 – December 25

  • Coastal Zone: October 5 – 12 and November 7 – January 7, 2025

• Canada Goose (Early, All Zones): September 2 – 25

• Canada Goose (Regular, White-fronted):

  • North Zone: October 1 – December 9

  • South Zone: October 1 – 12 and October 30 – December 25

  • Coastal Zone: October 5 – 12 and October 26 – January 7, 2025

• Snow Geese: October 1 – January 31, 2025

• Brant:

  • North Zone: September 23 – October 26

  • South Zone: October 1 – 12 and October 30 – November 20

  • Coastal Zone: October 5 – 12 and December 12 – January 7, 2025

• Youth Waterfowl Hunts:

  • North Zone: September 14 and December 7

  • South Zone: September 21 and October 19

  • Coastal Zone: September 28 and October 26

Upland Birds

• Crows:

  • WMDs 1-6: August 1 – September 21 and February 6 – April 15, 2025

  • WMDs 7-29: August 1 – September 21 and January 22 – March 31, 2025

• Snipe: September 2 – January 3, 2025

• Woodcock: September 28 – November 19

• Rails: September 2 – November 21

Other Wild Game

• Gray Squirrel: September 27 – December 31, 2025

• Snowshoe Hare: September 27 – March 31, 2026 and September 27 – February 28, 2026 (Island of Vinhaven)

• Coyote:

  • Daylight: No closed season

  • Night Hunting: December 16, 2025 – August 31, 2026

Visit the MDIFW website for more information about season dates for hunting and trapping.

What Do I Need to Know About the Hunting Regulations Maine Puts in Place?

All hunters must pass a hunter education course — or show proof of having a valid license before — to purchase an adult hunting license. Licenses are valid for one year starting January 1 each year (or the date you purchase the license).

Maine offers junior and adult licenses. Licenses are also based on resident vs. non-resident status. Most hunts also require a specific permit.

You can buy a hunting license online or through in-person locations, including town offices.

What are the Bag Limits?

How many bears, deer, or turkeys can you bring home this year? To comply with the laws for the hunting seasons in Maine, check the bag limits for every animal on your list to hunt. 

Here's a brief overview of the state's bag limits.

Deer

1 antlered per year

Brant

1 per day (3 in possession)

Bear

2 bears per year (1 hunting, 1 trapping)

Crow

No limits

Moose

1 per year by permit

Snipe

8 per day (24 in possession)

Turkey

1 or 2 bearded (spring, depending on WMD)

1-5 (fall, depending on WMD)

Woodcock

3 per day (9 in possession)

Ducks

6 per day (18 in possession)

Rails (Sora & Virginia)

25 per day in aggregate (25 in possession)

Canada Goose (Early)

8 per day, 24 in possession (North Zone)

10 per day, 30 in possession (South and Coastal Zones)

Gray Squirrel

4 per day (8 in possession)

Canada Goose (Regular)

2 per day, 6 in possession (North and South Zones)

3 per day, 9 in possession (Coastal Zone)

Snowshoe Hare

4 per day (8 in possession)

Snow Geese

25 per day

Coyote

No limits

What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?

Whether you're excited about bear hunting season in Maine or bringing home a trophy buck, you need the right gear!

Successful hunts require the right clothing (whether you're looking for new early-season clothing or thinking ahead to late-season hunts), good binoculars, a sharp hunting knife, and a good rifle, shotgun, or bow.

Don't forget: HuntWise app users save money when gearing up! Use exclusive gear discounts through our app partners to save hundreds on gear.

Navigate the Hunting Seasons in Maine with HuntWise

We hope this guide helps you plan successful hunting seasons in Maine this year — but (again) don't forget to check official resources for the latest details.

Do you have everything you need for success? Make sure you have the HuntWise hunting app! Our 3-D maps, layers, and forecasting features give you an advantage over other hunters. We also help improve your chances of tagging out — no matter what you hunt.

Plus, Elite subscribers enjoy access to more tools in the app, including up to 15 days of weather and animal activity forecasting.

Download the app, start your free trial, and start planning — free — for your first week!