These pages are for informational resources only, and may not reflect changes in effect since they were created. We try very hard to keep them up to date, but we take no responsability for any inaccurate information. It is always good policy to get the latest Maine State law books before doing any hunting in Maine.
Hunting Seasons
All dates are inclusive unless they fall on a Sunday (NO HUNTING ON SUNDAY)
DEER
Firearms season....................Nov 4 - Nov. 30
Maine residents only..........................Nov 2
Special archery season........Oct 3 - Nov 1
Muzzle-loader season............Dec 2 - Dec 7
................................................Dec 2 - Dec 14*
*Deer Mgmt. Districts 7,8,10,11,12,13,14,15 &18
RUFFED GROUSE, PHEASANT*, BOBWHITE QUAIL
W.M.U.'s 1 & 2.........................Oct. 1-Nov. 30
W.M.U.'s 3,4,5,6,7,8..................Oct. 1-Dec. 10
*A Pheasant Stamp is required to hunt/possess pheasant in York & Cumberland Counties
WOODCOCK (See Migratory Game Bird Schedule for season dates.) Duck stamp is not required to hunt/possess woodcock.
SPRUCE GROUSE.............NO OPEN SEASON
RABBIT
(Cottontail & Snowshoe Hare) Oct. 1-Mar. 31
Season on Island of Vinalhaven Oct. 1-Feb. 28
It is unlawful to hunt rabbits with dogs during the open firearms season on deer in Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo & Washington Counties
GRAY SQUIRREL....................Oct. 1-Nov. 30
RACCOON................................Oct. 1-Dec. 31
SKUNK, OPOSSUM...............Oct. 28-Dec. 31
FOX...........................................Oct. 28-Feb. 28
BOBCAT.....................................Dec. 1-Jan. 31
LYNX & CARIBOU...............NO OPEN SEASON
COYOTE, WOODCHUCK, RED SQUIRREL & PORCUPINE.....Jan. 1-Dec. 31
CROW (Split Season).............Mar. 14-Apr. 30
...................................................July 16-Sept. 29
MOOSE.................................Oct. 7 - Oct. 12,1995
TURKEY...............................Hunting by permit only
NOTE: Except for migratory game birds, there is no general hunting season on any species of bird or animal which is not listed in the above chart.
BAG LIMITS
DEER-One may be taken annually
BEAR-One may be taken annually (either by hunting or trapping)
RUFFED GROUSE-Daily Bag 4----Possession 8
BOBWHITE QUAIL-Daily Bag 4----Possession 8
PHEASANT-Daily Bag 2----Possession 4
RABBIT (Cottontail & Snowshoe Hare)-Daily Bag 4----Possession 8
GRAY SQUIRREL-Daily Bag 4----Possession 8
Other Legal Species-No limit on the number which may be taken.
NOTE:All deer and bear must be registered at the first open game registration station.
BEAR HUNTING INFORMATION
SEASON
General Hunting Season-First Day Aug. 26-Last Day Nov. 30
Hunting with Dogs Allowed-First Day Sept. 9 - Last Day Nov. 1
Hunting with Bait*-First Day Aug. 26-Last Day Sept. 21
*It is unlawful to hunt for bear with the use of bait from September 25 to November 25. Hunting with the use of bait is defined as hunting from an observation stand, blind or other location which overlooks any bait or food; except standing crops and foods that have been left as a result of normal agricultural operations or natural occurrence.
Non-residents wishing to use a dog or dogs to hunt for bear must employ & hunt with a resident Maine GUIDE (does not apply to non-residents holding a valid Maine guide license).
BEAR BAIT: May be set out July 29-October 31 and must be cleaned up by November 10.
BEAR HUNTING PERMIT: A special bear hunting permit (in addition to a hunting license) is required to
hunt for bear except duriing the open firearm season on deer. During the open firearm season on deer, the special bear hunting permit
is not required, and a person may legally take a bear by virtue of a regular hunting license. The fee for a bear hunting permit is $5.00
for residents and $15.00 for non-residents and aliens. The special permit is not required when trapping for bear.
ANTLERLESS DEER PROTECTED
Hunting of ANTLERLESS DEER (any deer which does not have antlers or any deer which has antlers less than 3 inches in length
measured from the skull) is prohibited except by special permit during both the regular firearms season and the muzzle-loading season.
(Any Deer Permit holders will be selected through chance drawing in September for the 1995 deer hunting season. For information
regarding Any-Deer Permits for the 1996 season, contact the Department after June 1. Application deadline is August 15).
Hunting of ANTLERED DEER is allowed throughout the State during both the regular firearms season and the muzzle-loading season.
Only ONE deer may be taken annually.
Deer of either sex may be taken during the special archery season.
TURKEY HUNTING SEASON
- The dates for the annual open season on turkeys (usually the month of May) will be established in the Fall of 1995.
- The turkey hunting zone includes all of York County, most of Cumberland County, and small portions of southern Sagadahoc and Androscoggin Counties.
- No more than 10% of the permits issued may be issued to non-residents. Applicants will be randomly selected.
Information regarding zones, number of permits available, application period and other pertinent information may be obtained from the:
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife,
Turkey Permit,
284 State Street,
Station # 41,
Augusta, Maine 04333.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 1
Other Hunting Links
General Hunting Information -
General Hunting Information
General Hunting Provisions -
General Hunting Provisions
General Trapping Provisions -
General Trapping Provisions
Hunting -
Experience the Thrill of hunting Maine's White Tail Deer, Moose and Bear. Find out what everyone else knows
about the wilds of Maine.
Hunting and Trapping License Fees -
Hunting and Trapping License Fees
Hunting Seasons -
Hunting Seasons
Laws Pertaining To Licenses & Permits -
Laws Pertaining To Licenses & Permits
Moose Hunting in Northern Maine -
Laws pertaining to Moose Hunting
Trapping Seasons -
Trapping Seasons
