Maine 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Maine's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 2-28, 2026 (All).
Archery deer season runs Oct 3-30, 2026 (All).
Duck season opens between September 28, 2026 and October 3, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 5, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Maine DIFW.
- firearm deer
- Nov 2-28, 2026
- archery deer
- Oct 3-30, 2026
- duck
- opens Sep 28-Oct 3, 2026 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Maine's seasons
Wildlife Management Districts and the any-deer lottery
Maine manages deer by Wildlife Management District, and antlerless opportunity is controlled through the any-deer (doe) permit lottery, so a hunter's real season depends on their district and whether they drew a permit.
Confirm district boundaries, permit results, and season splits with the official Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife source.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Maine DIFW before hunting.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Maine
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 2 stations in Maine. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Expanded Archery
In designated WMDs during certain seasons, hunters may harvest one deer, either antlered or antlerless, under the authority of their big game hunting license. During the Expanded Archery Season, a hunter may harvest one additional antlered deer within a designated Expanded Archery Area if they possess the appropriate Expanded Archery permit. Additional antlerless deer may also be harvested during the Expanded Archery Season as authorized by the appropriate permits.
Zone: Designated areas only
White-tailed Deer
Firearms Season
Zone: All
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader Statewide
Zone: All
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Zone: WMDs 12-18 and 20-29
White-tailed Deer
Regular Archery
Hunters may harvest additional antlerless deer under the authority of valid antlerless deer permit(s) in any season other than the Expanded Archery Season.
Zone: All
White-tailed Deer
Youth Deer Hunt
Zone: All
White-tailed Deer
Maine Resident Only Day
A non-resident who owns 25 or more acres of land in Maine and leaves land open to hunting, holds a valid hunting license, and is not otherwise prohibited by law, may hunt deer on the Resident only day, anywhere in the state. A verification form must be completed.
Zone: All
Turkey
Wild Turkey
General Hunting Season (Fall)
Archery equipment or shotgun. May harvest up to 5 turkeys for the fall season, but an individual WMD bag limit cannot be exceeded. No more than two wild turkeys (either-sex, any age) may be harvested per permit holder per day.
Zone: WMDs 3, 6-8, 10-14, 18, 19, 27 & 29
Wild Turkey
General Hunting Season (Fall)
Archery equipment or shotgun. May harvest up to 5 turkeys for the fall season, but an individual WMD bag limit cannot be exceeded. No more than two wild turkeys (either-sex, any age) may be harvested per permit holder per day.
Zone: WMD 26
Wild Turkey
General Hunting Season (Fall)
Archery equipment or shotgun. May harvest up to 5 turkeys for the fall season, but an individual WMD bag limit cannot be exceeded. No more than two wild turkeys (either-sex, any age) may be harvested per permit holder per day.
Zone: WMD 28
Wild Turkey
General Hunting Season (Fall)
Archery equipment or shotgun. No more than two wild turkeys (either-sex, any age) may be harvested per permit holder per day, but cannot exceed the WMD bag limit.
Zone: WMDs 15-17, 20-25
Wild Turkey
Youth Spring Wild Turkey Days
Archery equipment or shotgun.
Wild Turkey
All Hunters (Spring)
Archery equipment or shotgun. May harvest up to 2 turkeys for the spring season, but an individual WMD bag limit cannot be exceeded.
Zone: WMDs 7 and 9-29
Wild Turkey
All Hunters (Spring)
Archery equipment or shotgun. May harvest up to 2 turkeys for the spring season, but an individual WMD bag limit cannot be exceeded.
Zone: WMDs 1-6 and 8
Wild Turkey
General Hunting Season (Fall)
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Closed to taking of Wild Turkeys.
Zone: WMDs 1, 2, 4, 5, 9
Wild Turkey
Youth Fall Wild Turkey Day
Archery equipment or shotgun.
Bear
Black Bear
General Hunting Season
Zone: All
Black Bear
Youth Bear Days
Zone: All
Black Bear
Hunting with Bait
Bait can be placed August 1, 2026
Zone: All
Black Bear
Bear Trapping
Zone: All
Black Bear
Youth Bear Hunting with Dogs Day
Zone: All
Black Bear
Hunting with Dogs
Bear dog training season is July 1 - August 27, 2026
Zone: All
Moose
Moose
Bull-Only
By permit only. A person may only harvest one moose per year, regardless of how many permits they may be listed on. In order to harvest a moose a person must be either the permittee or sub-permittee. Moose hunting season dates and WMDs subject to change.
Zone: WMDs 1-7, 10-13, 15, 18, 19, 27 and 28
Moose
Bull-Only
By permit only. A person may only harvest one moose per year, regardless of how many permits they may be listed on. In order to harvest a moose a person must be either the permittee or sub-permittee. Moose hunting season dates and WMDs subject to change.
Zone: WMDs 1-15, 17-19, 27, 28
Moose
Antlerless-Only
By permit only. A person may only harvest one moose per year, regardless of how many permits they may be listed on. In order to harvest a moose a person must be either the permittee or sub-permittee. Moose hunting season dates and WMDs subject to change.
Zone: WMDs 1-6, 8
Waterfowl
28 listed rowsBrant
General Hunting Season
Zone: South Zone
Canada Goose, White-Fronted Geese
Regular Season
Zone: North Zone
Canada Goose, White-Fronted Geese
Regular Season
Zone: Coastal Zone
Canada Goose, White-Fronted Geese
Regular Season
Zone: South Zone
Ducks (including all duck species unless listed in exceptions, Mergansers, and American Coots)
General Hunting Season
Species-specific bag limits may apply. See Migratory Game Birds Exceptions.
Zone: North Zone
Ducks (including all duck species unless listed in exceptions, Mergansers, and American Coots)
General Hunting Season
Species-specific bag limits may apply. See Migratory Game Birds Exceptions.
Zone: South Zone
Snow Geese (including Blue Geese)
General Hunting Season
Ducks (including all duck species unless listed in exceptions, Mergansers, and American Coots)
General Hunting Season
Species-specific bag limits may apply. See Migratory Game Birds Exceptions.
Zone: Coastal Zone
Brant
General Hunting Season
Zone: Coastal Zone
Ducks, Geese
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt
All duck species except Harlequins, Barrow's Goldeneye, and Moorhens and Gallinules may be hunted on these days, including geese.
Zone: North Zone
Ducks, Mergansers, American Coots
Special Falconry Season
In addition to the regular migratory bird season.
Zone: North Zone
Ducks, Mergansers, American Coots
Special Falconry Season
In addition to the regular migratory bird season.
Zone: Coastal Zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BrantGeneral Hunting Season · North Zone | Closed | |
| BrantGeneral Hunting Season · South Zone | Closed | |
| BrantGeneral Hunting Season · Coastal Zone | Closed | |
| Canada GooseEarly Season · Coastal Zone | Closed | |
| Canada GooseEarly Season · North Zone | Closed | |
| Canada GooseEarly Season · South Zone | Closed | |
| Canada Goose, White-Fronted GeeseRegular Season · South Zone | Closed | |
| Canada Goose, White-Fronted GeeseRegular Season · Coastal Zone | Closed | |
| Ducks (including all duck species unless listed in exceptions, Mergansers, and American Coots)General Hunting Season · South ZoneSpecies-specific bag limits may apply. See Migratory Game Birds Exceptions. | Closed | |
| Ducks (including all duck species unless listed in exceptions, Mergansers, and American Coots)General Hunting Season · Coastal ZoneSpecies-specific bag limits may apply. See Migratory Game Birds Exceptions. | Closed | |
| Ducks, GeeseSpecial Youth Waterfowl Hunt · South ZoneAll duck species except Harlequins, Barrow's Goldeneye, and Moorhens and Gallinules may be hunted on these days, including geese. | Closed | |
| Ducks, GeeseSpecial Youth Waterfowl Hunt · North ZoneAll duck species except Harlequins, Barrow's Goldeneye, and Moorhens and Gallinules may be hunted on these days, including geese. For the September 27, October 18, and December 13 youth days, the goose limit is under the Regular Season daily bag limit. | Closed | |
| Ducks, GeeseSpecial Youth Waterfowl Hunt · Coastal ZoneAll duck species except Harlequins, Barrow's Goldeneye, and Moorhens and Gallinules may be hunted on these days, including geese. | Closed | |
| Ducks, GeeseSpecial Youth Waterfowl Hunt · Coastal ZoneAll duck species except Harlequins, Barrow's Goldeneye, and Moorhens and Gallinules may be hunted on these days, including geese. | Closed | |
| Ducks, GeeseSpecial Youth Waterfowl Hunt · South ZoneAll duck species except Harlequins, Barrow's Goldeneye, and Moorhens and Gallinules may be hunted on these days, including geese. | Closed | |
| Ducks, Mergansers, American CootsSpecial Falconry Season · South ZoneIn addition to the regular migratory bird season. | Upcoming |
Pheasant
Pheasant
General Hunting Season
Zone: All
Quail
Bobwhite Quail
General Hunting Season
Zone: All
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
General Hunting Season
Zone: All
Rabbit
Snowshoe Hare
General Hunting Season
Zone: Island of Vinalhaven
Snowshoe Hare
General Hunting Season
Zone: All
Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
Falconry
Zone: All
Gray Squirrel
General Hunting Season
Zone: All
Furbearer
Fox
General Hunting Season
Zone: All
Raccoon
General Hunting Season
Zone: All
Skunk, Opossum
General Hunting Season
Zone: All
Bobcat
General Hunting Season
Zone: All
Small Game
Woodchuck, Porcupine, Red Squirrel
General Hunting Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No Closed Season.
Zone: All
Migratory Birds
Common Snipe
General Hunting Season
Woodcock & Snipe are considered migratory game birds, not migratory waterfowl. The use of lead shot is permitted. The use of a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited. A migratory waterfowl stamp is not required.
Sora & Virginia Rails (and Gallinules)
General Hunting Season
Rails are considered migratory game birds not migratory waterfowl. The use of lead shot and a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited. A migratory waterfowl stamp is not required.
Woodcock
General Hunting Season
Woodcock & Snipe are considered migratory game birds, not migratory waterfowl. The use of lead shot is permitted. The use of a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited. A migratory waterfowl stamp is not required.
Crow
General Hunting Season
Crows are neither migratory waterfowl nor migratory game birds. Use of lead shot and shotgun capable of holding more than three shells is permitted. A migratory waterfowl stamp is not required. Use of electronic calls is permitted.
Zone: WMDs 7-29
Crow
General Hunting Season
Crows are neither migratory waterfowl nor migratory game birds. Use of lead shot and shotgun capable of holding more than three shells is permitted. A migratory waterfowl stamp is not required. Use of electronic calls is permitted.
Zone: WMDs 1-6
Crow
General Hunting Season
Crows are neither migratory waterfowl nor migratory game birds. Use of lead shot and shotgun capable of holding more than three shells is permitted. A migratory waterfowl stamp is not required. Use of electronic calls is permitted.
Zone: WMDs 7-29
Crow
General Hunting Season
Crows are neither migratory waterfowl nor migratory game birds. Use of lead shot and shotgun capable of holding more than three shells is permitted. A migratory waterfowl stamp is not required. Use of electronic calls is permitted.
Zone: WMDs 1-6
Coyote
Coyote
Night Hunting
Night hunting permitted December 16, 2026 - August 31, 2027.
Zone: All
Coyote
General Hunting Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
During daylight hunting hours only. No closed season for hunting.
Zone: All
Other
Spruce Grouse, Lynx, Cottontail Rabbit
Closed
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No Open Season for Hunting.
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Maine Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Maine?
Archery deer season runs Oct 3-30, 2026 (All). Firearm deer season runs Nov 2-28, 2026 (All). Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Maine DIFW.
When is Maine's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season runs Nov 2-28, 2026 (All). Check zone and permit details with Maine DIFW before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Maine?
Spring turkey season runs May 3-Jun 5, 2027. Youth and other special hunts, where listed, open earlier.
Do I need a license to hunt in Maine?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Maine hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Maine DIFW.
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