Maine Hunting Seasons, 2023-2024
If you’re considering East Coast exploration, Maine’s hunting seasons might be the place for you. The state offers deer, moose, bear and small game seasons throughout the fall and spring.
Hunting licenses are available to both state residents and nonresidents. Licenses can be purchased online and printed instantly. Some game hunts (such as deer and moose) require permits, though many are lottery systems. Applications for permit lotteries can be submitted online each year.
Maine’s Outdoor Partners program gives hunters access to privately owned farms, forests and lands. While land is open to the public, permits or permission from landowners may be required for seasonal hunting. The state also offers Hunters for the Hungry, in which hunters either portions or all of their game intake to regional families in need.
Maine Deer Seasons
| Resident Only Day | Oct. 28 |
| Youth Day | Oct. 20 |
| Firearms | Oct. 30-Nov. 25 |
| Expanded Archery | Sept. 9-Dec. 9 (designated areas only) |
| Archery and Crossbow | Sept. 30-Oct. 27 |
| Youth Deer Hunt | Oct. 20-21 |
| Muzzleloader | Statewide: Nov. 27-Dec. 2 Selected Regions: Dec. 4-9** |
**Season dates vary by zone/Wildlife Management District (WMDs). Deer season hunting requires deer permits. For more information about legal hunting in specific areas of Maine, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.
Maine Bear Seasons
| General Season | Aug. 28-Nov. 25 |
| Hunting With Dogs | Sept. 11-Oct. 27 |
| Hunting With Bait | Aug. 28-Sept. 23 |
| Youth Day | Aug. 26 |
Maine Moose Seasons
| Anterless Only | Oct. 16-21** Oct. 23-28** Oct. 30-Nov. 4** Nov. 6-11** |
| Bull Only | Sept. 25-30** Oct. 9-14** |
**Season dates vary by zone, and by antlered or antlerless animals. Moose hunting is restricted to permit holders and only one moose may be taken per year. Moose hunting is restricted to permit holders only and only one moose per year may be taken. Moose hunt seasons vary by location.
Maine Wild Turkey Seasons
| Fall General Season | Sept. 17-Nov. 7 |
| Fall Youth Day | Sept. 16 |
| Spring General Season | Apr. 29-June 1 |
| Spring Youth Day | April 27 |
Hunting dates may vary depending on region, and some areas may be closed to hunting. For more information, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.
Maine Small Game Seasons
| Gray Squirrel | Sept. 30-Dec. 30 |
| Snowshoe Hare | Sept. 30-March 30 Vinalhaven Island: Sept. 30-Feb. 28 |
| Bobcat | Dec. 1-Feb. 21 |
| Woodchuck, Coyote, Porcupine, Red Squirrel | Open Season |
| Coyote (Night Hunting Only) | Dec. 16-Aug. 31 |
| Ruffed Grouse & Bobwhite Quail | Sept. 30-Dec. 30 |
**Season dates vary by zone
Bag limits, special seasons and hunting regulations for Maine hunting seasons do vary based on animal and seasons. Maine is divided into wildlife management districts (WMD) that determine regional season start and end dates. For more information on obtaining licenses, permits and regulations, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.