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Maine Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against ME Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $26 · nonresident $117. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Expanded Archery (designated areas only): Expanded Archery AreasSep 12, 2026Dec 12, 2026Expanded Archery Permit
Regular ArcheryOct 3, 2026Oct 30, 2026Archery Hunting License
Youth Deer HuntOct 23, 2026Oct 24, 2026Junior Hunting License
Maine Resident Only Day (single day: NOT the firearms opener)Oct 31, 2026Oct 31, 2026Big Game Hunting License (residents; also non-residents owning 25+ acres open to hunting, with verification form)
Firearms SeasonNov 2, 2026Nov 28, 2026Big Game Hunting License
Muzzleloader: StatewideNov 30, 2026Dec 5, 2026Muzzleloading Permit
Muzzleloader: Extended, WMDs 12-18 and 20-29Dec 7, 2026Dec 12, 2026Muzzleloading Permit

Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Youth Fall Wild Turkey DaySep 12, 2026Sep 12, 2026Junior Hunting License + Turkey Permit
Fall General Season (archery equipment or shotgun): WMDs 3, 6-8, 10-29Sep 14, 2026Nov 7, 2026Hunting License + Turkey Permit
Youth Spring Wild Turkey DayApr 30, 2027Apr 30, 2027Junior Hunting License + Turkey Permit
Spring Season (archery equipment or shotgun): WMDs 7, 9-29: WMDs 7 and 9-29May 3, 2027Jun 5, 2027Hunting License + Turkey Permit
Spring Season (archery equipment or shotgun): WMDs 1-6, 8: WMDs 1-6 and 8May 3, 2027Jun 5, 2027Hunting License + Turkey Permit

Black Bear Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Youth Bear Hunting with BaitAug 28, 2026Aug 29, 2026Junior Hunting License + Bear Permit
General Hunting SeasonAug 31, 2026Nov 28, 2026Big Game Hunting License + Bear Permit
Hunting with Bait (bait may be placed from Aug 1, 2026)Aug 31, 2026Sep 26, 2026Big Game Hunting License + Bear Permit
Youth Bear Hunting with DogsSep 12, 2026Sep 12, 2026Junior Hunting License + Bear Permit
Hunting with Dogs (bear dog training season Jul 1 - Aug 27, 2026)Sep 14, 2026Oct 30, 2026Big Game Hunting License + Bear Permit
Bear TrappingSep 1, 2026Oct 31, 2026Trapping License + Bear Trapping Permit

Bobcat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting: statewideDec 1, 2026Feb 20, 2027Hunting License

Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Daytime hunting: no closed season (recorded across the 2026-27 licence year)Jan 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting License
Night huntingDec 16, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting License + Night Hunting Permit

American Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Summer segment: WMDs 1-6Aug 1, 2026Sep 19, 2026Hunting License
Winter segment: WMDs 1-6Jan 30, 2027Apr 15, 2027Hunting License
Summer segment: WMDs 7-29Aug 1, 2026Sep 19, 2026Hunting License
Winter segment: WMDs 7-29Jan 15, 2027Mar 31, 2027Hunting License

Fox Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting: statewideOct 19, 2026Feb 27, 2027Hunting License

Ruffed Grouse (and Bobwhite Quail) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: statewideSep 26, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting License

Moose Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Bull-Only: WMDs 1-7, 10-13, 15, 18, 19, 27, 28Sep 28, 2026Oct 3, 2026Moose Permit (lottery)
Bull-Only: WMDs 1-15, 17-19, 27, 28Oct 12, 2026Oct 17, 2026Moose Permit (lottery)
Antlerless-Only: WMDs 1-6, 8Oct 26, 2026Oct 31, 2026Moose Permit (lottery)

Ring-necked Pheasant Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: statewideSep 26, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting License (pheasant permit required in York and Cumberland counties)

Snowshoe Hare Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Snowshoe Hare: Regular: statewide except VinalhavenSep 26, 2026Mar 31, 2027Hunting License
Snowshoe Hare: Island of VinalhavenSep 26, 2026Feb 27, 2027Hunting License

Raccoon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting: statewideOct 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting License

Sora and Virginia Rails Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: statewideSep 1, 2026Nov 20, 2026Hunting License + HIP

Skunk and Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting: statewideOct 19, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting License

Common (Wilson's) Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: statewideSep 1, 2026Jan 2, 2027Hunting License + HIP

Gray Squirrel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: statewideSep 26, 2026Jan 30, 2027Hunting License
Falconry: statewideSep 26, 2026Feb 27, 2027Falconry Permit

Waterfowl (ducks, mergansers, coots, geese, brant) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Ducks, mergansers and American coots: North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneSep 28, 2026Dec 5, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers and American coots (first segment): South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneOct 1, 2026Oct 10, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers and American coots (second segment): South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneOct 29, 2026Dec 26, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers and American coots (first segment): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneOct 3, 2026Oct 10, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, mergansers and American coots (second segment): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneNov 5, 2026Jan 5, 2027Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose: Early Season, North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 25, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose: Early Season, South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 25, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose: Early Season, Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 25, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose Regular and White-fronted Geese: North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneOct 1, 2026Dec 9, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose Regular and White-fronted Geese (first segment): South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneOct 1, 2026Oct 10, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose Regular and White-fronted Geese (second segment): South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneOct 29, 2026Dec 26, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose Regular and White-fronted Geese (first segment): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneOct 3, 2026Oct 10, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Canada Goose Regular and White-fronted Geese (second segment): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneOct 24, 2026Jan 5, 2027Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Snow Geese (including blue geese): statewideOct 1, 2026Jan 30, 2027Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Brant: North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneSep 28, 2026Oct 31, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Brant (first segment): South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneOct 1, 2026Oct 10, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Brant (second segment): South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneOct 29, 2026Nov 21, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Brant (first segment): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneOct 3, 2026Oct 10, 2026Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Brant (second segment): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneDec 10, 2026Jan 5, 2027Hunting License + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day: North Zone (first): North Waterfowl ZoneSep 19, 2026Sep 19, 2026Junior Hunting License
Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day: North Zone (second): North Waterfowl ZoneDec 12, 2026Dec 12, 2026Junior Hunting License
Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day: South Zone (first): South Waterfowl ZoneSep 19, 2026Sep 19, 2026Junior Hunting License
Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day: South Zone (second): South Waterfowl ZoneOct 17, 2026Oct 17, 2026Junior Hunting License
Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day: Coastal Zone (first): Coastal Waterfowl ZoneSep 26, 2026Sep 26, 2026Junior Hunting License
Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day: Coastal Zone (second): Coastal Waterfowl ZoneOct 17, 2026Oct 17, 2026Junior Hunting License
Special Falconry Season (ducks, mergansers, coots): North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneDec 15, 2026Feb 4, 2027Falconry Permit + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Special Falconry Season (ducks, mergansers, coots): South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneJan 7, 2027Feb 27, 2027Falconry Permit + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Special Falconry Season (ducks, mergansers, coots): Coastal Zone: Coastal Waterfowl ZoneJan 7, 2027Feb 27, 2027Falconry Permit + State Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp

Woodchuck and Porcupine Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
No closed season (recorded across the 2026 calendar year)Jan 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting License

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: statewideSep 26, 2026Nov 17, 2026Hunting License + HIP
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with ME Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
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