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Hunting in Maine
Maine Hunting at Glance
Maine is home to a variety of big and small game, making it a popular destination for hunters from all over the country. You can find several species of deer, grouse, and turkey to name a few. Plus the state’s renowned rocky coast provides excellent duck hunting in both the bays and open water while its open spaces provide excellent habitat for upland birds like pheasant and grouse.
Maine’s moose population is estimated at 60,000 to 70,000 animals and around 2,000 permits are available each year, according to state wildlife officials. Overall success rates for moose are 75 percent, with higher success rates in the northern sections. Several moose more than 1,000 pounds dressed weight are taken every year, and some develop huge antlers.
Maine ranks #6 in the nation for hunting license per capita and has a strong hunting culture with over 15% of the population classified as registered hunters.
Key Insights
- Maine is a popular destination for hunters due to its variety of big and small game.
- Maine has a strong hunting culture, with over 15% of the population classified as registered hunters.
- Most of the land in Maine is private, with only 4.77% being considered huntable public land.
- Maine has a number of hunting seasons and requirements, including tag and bag limits.
- Hunters in Maine can access private land through hunting lease programs.
Table of Contents
Hunters (Based on Hunting Licenses)
| Population: | 1,362,359 |
|---|---|
| Hunters | 204,353 |
| Hunter % | 15% |
| Hunters Rank | 6 |
The state of Maine is predominantly private land and only 4.77% of the total acres could be considred huntable public land. In fact, Maine ranks #33 overall in acres of public huntable land.
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 19,753,600 | ||
| Huntable Public | 942000 | 4.77% | 33 |
| Private Land | 18,530,540 | 93.81% | 17 |
| Tribal Land | 163,600 | 0.83% | 15 |
Maine ranks #17 for the percentage of private land vs total acres and number 15 in terms of acres of tribal land.
Maine Hunting Seasons & Requirements
For the most accurate information on Maine Hunting Seasons, along with the state’s requirements for tag and bag limits, it’s a good idea to check with the Maine DNR. We’ve provided their contact information below, along with links to helpful resources, including licensing.
Maine DNR
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0041
- (207) 287-8000
Helpful Links
Popular Game to Hunt in Maine
In addition to the incredible upland bird hunting, Maine is a great state for hunting big game like moose, black bear, white-tailed deer, Other popular waterfowl and upland includes excellent hunting opportunities for ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, and ducks. Bottomline, the state has a diverse habitat that supports a variety of wildlife, including some rare species.
Small Game Hunting in Maine
The state is home to a variety of species, including cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, red squirrel, ruffed grouse, and woodcock. Each species has its own unique challenges, making them all popular targets for hunters of all skill levels. Cottontail rabbits are often found in open fields or along the edge of woods, making them relatively easy to spot. Snowshoe hare are more elusive, but their white fur makes them easier to see in the snow. Red squirrel can be found in both coniferous and deciduous forests, and their small size makes them a challenging target. Ruffed grouse are well- camouflaged in the forest understory, but their distinct call can help hunters locate them. Woodcock are perhaps the most challenging of all, as they spend much of their time hidden in dense vegetation. As mentioned, hunting waterfowl like duck and geese is also very popular in the state.
Big Game Hunting in Maine
The most popular big game to hunt in Maine are moose, bear, whitetail deer, caribou, and elk. Moose are the largest mammal in North America, and bulls can weigh up to 1,800 pounds. Bear are also popular game animals in Maine. While black bears are more common in the southern part of the state, brown bears are found in the northern part of the state. Whitetail deer are the most populous big game animal in Maine, with an estimated population of 250,000. Caribou are a species of deer that is closely related to reindeer. They are found in the northernmost parts of Maine and can weigh up to 400 pounds. Elk are the second largest member of the deer family, and bull elk can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. They are found in the western mountains of Maine. Hunting is a popular pastime in Maine, and these five animals are the most sought-after game.
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Where are the Best Areas to Hunt in Maine
Maine offers great hunting opportunities across the state, both on public and private land. We’ve included some of the best areas for public hunting below and as we have access we’ll be adding more private land too.
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We’re working with landowners all across Maine to provide private land access for more activities. Add your information below to stay up to date.
Popular Public Hunting Land in Maine
Baxter State Park is the most popular place to hunt public land in Maine. The park covers more than 200,000 acres and is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, deer, and bear. There are also more than 100 miles of hiking trails, making it a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is another popular spot for hunters. The monument covers more than 87,000 acres of land and is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, deer, and coyote. There are also more than 100 miles of hiking trails. Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge is another popular hunting destination. The refuge covers more than 500,000 acres of land and is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, deer, and bear. There are also more than 100 miles of hiking trails. Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge is another popular destination for hunters. The refuge covers more than 500,000 acres of land and is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, deer, and bear. There are also more than 100 miles of hiking trails. Coburn Gore is another popular spot for hunters. The town covers more than 2,000 acres of land and is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, deer, and bear.
1. Baxter State Park
2. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
3. Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge
4. Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge
5. Coburn Gore
Hunting Private Land in Maine
Since the majority of Maine is private land getting access for hunting can be very appealing. When you hunt private land, it’s not only less crowded, the animals also tend to be less skittish and this means you’ll have a better day out in the field. Traditionally, accessing private land for hunting has been complicated and expensive. You either needed to join a club, hire a guide, or start knocking on doors.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying this for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts of all types. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some options great below.