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Maine Hunting Season 2023

We set out to create the most simplified guide to Maine hunting seasons for 2023.

Want to find out season dates, learn about regulations and bag limits, understand license requirements, and get access helpful links?

Then you’ll love the info outlined in today’s guide. Let’s dive right in.

Maine Hunting Seasons

Maine Hunting Season Dates

Having trouble finding the info you need about Maine? Maine offers a lot of diversity, if this is your first time hunting you are in for a great experience. The times spent will be some of the best you’ve had. Arizona is big on promoting youth hunts and offers a wide variety of juniors only programs. The most important part is teaching the generation to be responsible stewards. They can participate in small game hunting, plus there is big game hunting to try for all ages. Maine participates in the lottery which helps maintain healthy, sustainable wildlife populations and habitats.


Maine Deer Season 2023

Resident Only Day: October 30

Youth Day: October 23

Firearms: November 1 - November 27

Archery: October 2 - October 29

Muzzleloader Statewide: November 29 - December 4
Selected Regions: December 6 - December 11

Expanded Archery: September 11 -December 11

Maine Wild Turkey Season 2023

Fall General Season: September 20 - November 6

Fall Youth Day: September 18

Spring General Season: May 2 -June 4

Spring Youth Day: April 30

Maine Small Game Seasons 2023

Gray Squirrel: September 25 - December 31

Snowshoe Hare: September 25 - March 31

Bobcat: December 1 - February 21

Woodchuck, Coyote, Porcupine, Red Squirrel: Open Season

Coyote Night Hunt: December 16 - August 31

Ruffed Grouse & Bobwhite Quail: September 25 - December 31

Maine Hunting Zones 2023

See the map below for a breakdown of Maine's hunting zones:

Maine Bag Limits 2023

Deer bag limit: 1

Maine Hunting License 2023

To hold a hunting license in Maine you will not only need a valid hunting license and permit for the animal they wish to pursue, but also:

Held a license in the prior Taken a hunter safety course This will apply to the Firearms & Archery licenses, in order for Crossbow permit, you have to show first 2 and successful completion of #3 license safety course.

LicenseResidentNonresident
Big Game Hunting$36.00$115.00
Small Game Hunting$15.00$75.00
Combo Hunt/ Fish$43.00$115.00
Combo Fish/ Archery$43.00$75.00

PermitFee
Bear$27.00
Crossbow Hunting$26.00
Deer, Moose, Bear Registration$5.00
Turkey$20.00

Maine Hunting Regulations 2023

You can't bait in Maine.

No hunting with dogs.

You have to wear orange.

Helpful Resources

Official State Site: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/index.html

FAQs
Can you hunt on Sunday in Maine?

Sorry, Maine doesn't offer hunting on Sundays.

When does hunting season start in Maine?

Deer hunting season starts as early as October 2 in Maine for archery.

When does bird hunting start in Maine?

You can start bird hunting on September 25 in Maine.

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Born in the northeast, Hunters Guides originally began as a resource to help hunters navigate complex season regulations. After a few months, we realized there was a greater opportunity to help promote hunting. So we started creating the resource we wish existed - a site rich with videos, tutorials and how-to's.

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