Maine Hunting Seasons: Updated


This page of Maine hunting seasons is updated annually. While Thepredatorhunter.com focuses on coyotes, fox, and bobcats, it is hoped other game hunters will take up predator hunting as well. We suggest you check out these predator hunting links specific to the state of Maine:

Purchase a hunting license in Maine here.

Learn the rules for hunting coyotes in Maine.

Learn the rules for hunting bobcats in Maine.

Learn the rules for hunting fox in Maine.

Maine hunting seasons
Maine hunting seasons.

Maine hunting seasons for deer.

Season MWDStart dateEnd dateBag limit
Expanded ArcheryDesignated areas onlySeptember 10, 2022December 10, 20221 Deer Per Year**Archery/CrossbowAllOctober 1, 2022October 28, 2022Youth Deer DayAllOctober 22, 2022Maine Resident Only Day*AllOctober 29, 2022Firearms SeasonAllOctober 31, 2022November 26, 2022Muzzleloader StatewideAllNovember 28, 2022December 3, 2022Muzzleloader12, 13, 15-18, 20-26, 29December 5, 2022December 10, 2022

**Only deer with antlers at least 3 inches long may be taken from October 29-December 10, 2022, except that any deer may be taken in designated WMDs by hunters with any-deer permits.

Exceptions: Additional deer may be taken by participating in the Expanded Archery Season, or by anyone possessing a bonus antlerless deer permit or superpack antlerless deer permit.

Note: In WMDs where no any-deer permits are issued, it is bucks only for youth hunters on youth deer day and also bucks only for archers during the archery season on deer.

Maine hunting seasons for bear.

Season Start Date End Dates
Youth Bear DayAllAugust 27, 20222 Bear Per Year
1 by hunting, 1 by trapping
General Hunting SeasonAllAugust 29, 2022November 26, 2022
Hunting with Bait
Bait can be placed July 30, 2022
AllAugust 29, 2022September 24, 2022
Bear TrappingAllSeptember 1, 2022October 31, 2022
Hunting with DogsAllSeptember 12, 2022October 28, 2022

Maine hunting seasons for moose.

WMDS Start DateEnd Date
WMDs 1- 6, 10, 11, 18, 19, 27, 28September 26, 2022October 1, 2022
WMD 1-14, 17-19, 27, 28October 10, 2022October 15, 2022
WMDs 1-6, 8October 24, 2022October 29, 2022
WMDS 15, 16October 29, 2022
WMDs 15, 16October 31, 2022November 26, 2022

Maine Fall Turkey hunting season.

Season WMD Start dateEnd dateBag limits
General Hunting Season15-17, 20-25September 19, 2022November 7, 20225 Wild Turkeys**General Hunting Season26September 19, 2022November 7, 20223 Wild Turkeys**General Hunting Season28September 19, 2022November 7, 20222 Wild Turkeys**General Hunting Season6, 10-13, 18, 19, 27 & 29September 19, 2022November 7, 20221 Wild Turkey**General Hunting Season1-5, 7-9, 14Closed to taking of Wild TurkeysYouth Fall Wild Turkey DaySeptember 17, 2022

Maine migratory bird seasons.

SeasonsWMDsDatesLimits
First DayLast DayDaily BagPossession
Ruffed Grouse & Bobwhite QuailAllSeptember 24, 2022December 31, 202248
PheasantAllSeptember 24, 2022December 31, 202224
WoodcockAllSee migratory game bird laws for more information
Common SnipeAll
Ducks, Geese, Sea Ducks
(Scoter, Eider, Long-Tailed Duck)
Sora & Virginia Rails
(and Gallinules)
All
Crows1-6  No Limit
7-29To be determinedTo be determined

Maine hunting seasons for furbearers and other species.

SeasonsWMDs First DayLast DayGray SquirrelAllSeptember 24, 2022December 31, 2022Gray Squirrel (Falconry)AllSeptember 25, 2021February 28, 2022Snowshoe HareAllSeptember 25, 2021March 31, 2022Snowshoe HareVinalhaven Island,
Knox CountySeptember 25, 2021February 28, 2022BobcatAllDecember 1, 2021February 21, 2022FoxAllOctober 18, 2021February 28, 2022RaccoonAllOctober 1, 2022December 31, 2022Skunk, OpossumAllOctober 17, 2022December 31, 2022Coyote Night HuntAllDecember 16, 2021August 31, 2022Coyote, Woodchuck, Porcupine, Red SquirrelAllNo Closed Season for HuntingSpruce Grouse, Lynx, Cottontail RabbitNo Open Season for Hunting

Dennis V. Gilmore Jr.

Dennis V. Gilmore Jr. is a former Marine Sergeant and the author of several books, including two on night hunting coyotes and red and gray fox. He has written several hundred articles on predator hunting for ThePredatorHunter.com.

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