Regulations change. Always confirm with the official state fish and wildlife agency before you hunt or fish. This site is an unofficial index, not legal advice. Each fact shows its source and the date we last read it.
Maine: 2026 hunting seasons, license rules and official links
Run by: Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW). Below are the 2026 deer season dates, selected fall turkey, bear and small game dates, and license rules we could read on official pages. It is not a full list of seasons: waterfowl, other small game, trapping and fishing rules are on the official pages linked below.
2026 deer seasons
| Season | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Expanded archery (designated areas only) | Sep 12, 2026 to Dec 12, 2026 | |
| Regular archery deer | Oct 3, 2026 to Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Youth deer hunt | Oct 23, 2026 to Oct 24, 2026 | |
| Maine Resident Only Day | Oct 31, 2026 | Special exception for some non-resident landowners; see the official page. |
| Firearms deer | Nov 2, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | No Sunday hunting. Antlerless deer permit rules vary by Wildlife Management District. |
| Muzzleloader deer (statewide) | Nov 30, 2026 to Dec 5, 2026 | A second muzzleloader window runs Dec 7-12 in WMDs 12-18 and 20-29. |
Source: Maine IFW: Deer Hunting. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Dates can vary by zone, unit or land type; check the official page for your location.
Other fall 2026 seasons: turkey, bear and small game
| Season | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black bear, general hunting season (all WMDs) | Aug 31, 2026 to Nov 28, 2026 | Hunting with bait Aug 31-Sept 26. Other methods (dogs, trapping) have their own dates in the lawbook. No Sunday hunting. |
| Fall wild turkey, archery or shotgun (WMDs 3, 6-8 and 10-29) | Sep 14, 2026 to Nov 7, 2026 | Bag limit varies by WMD; closed in WMDs 1, 2, 4, 5 and 9. |
Source: Maine IFW 2026-27 hunting lawbook (PDF). Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Licenses, permits or stamps may be required for each species; check the official page.
Good to know before you buy a license or head out
- Sunday hunting is illegal in Maine, statewide. Carrying hunting equipment in the fields and forests on Sunday has to follow the uncased-equipment rules in the lawbook (cased, wrapped or broken down).
Source: Maine IFW 2026-27 hunting lawbook. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - To get an adult firearms hunting license you must show proof of residency and that you either held an adult firearms hunting license in any year since 1976 or completed an approved hunter safety course in any U.S. state, province or country.
Source: Maine IFW: hunting license information. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - Maine's ME Outdoors app can store licenses and shows maps (stocked waters, water access, wildlife management areas and districts) with offline use.
Source: Maine IFW: ME Outdoors app. Last verified Oct 17, 2026.
Official links (Maine)
- IFW home
- Hunting license information and fees
- Deer hunting seasons and rules
- 2026-27 hunting lawbook (PDF)
- Fishing and boating
- ME Outdoors mobile app
- Maine State Parks (camping)
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