Maine Whitetail Muzzleloader Hunt

Big Game

Maine’s big game species are White-tailed deer, Moose, Black bear, and Wild turkey. Maine issues a general Big Game Hunting License to residents and non-residents which covers most game (Moose and Turkey require additional permits).

Deer: With a big game license, a hunter may take one antlered deer annually. Taking an antlerless deer is only allowed if the hunter obtains an Antlerless Deer Permit through Maine’s lottery which is held in summer and is open to both residents and non-residents.

Moose permits are run by lottery. Hunters (residents and non-residents) must apply each year by May for a chance to win a Moose permit allowing the harvest of one moose of a specified sex in a specific wildlife management district during the assigned week in fall. Non-residents are capped (no more than ~10% of permits).

Black bear requires no lottery, but hunters must purchase a Bear Permit in addition to their big game license if hunting Bear prior to the general firearms deer season. During the firearms deer season a big game license alone lets a hunter take a Bear with no additional permit.

Wild Turkey hunting in Maine requires a Turkey Permit in addition to a base license The permit covers both spring and fall seasons. There is no lottery for turkeys – permits are unlimited.

Small Game

Maine’s small game includes partridge, snowshoe hare, woodcock, pheasant (stocked in limited areas), migratory birds as well as furbearers like coyote, fox, raccoon. A standard Small Game Hunting License allows hunting all of these species.

Woodcock hunting requires an additional free HIP registration plus a Maine Migratory Bird Permit.

Waterfowl hunting requires a Maine State Migratory Waterfowl Permit and the Federal Duck Stamp.

Documents Required

• Maine Big or Small Game Hunting License.
• A valid Moose Permit, Bear Permit (if hunting before firearm deer season), Turkey permit in accordance with the hunted species
• Maine Migratory Waterfowl Permit, Federal Duck Stamp and HIP confirmation for waterfowl
• Hunter Safety Course Certificate
• Archery hunters need a separate Bowhunter Education if getting an Archery license.

Minimum Hunter Age

The minimum age to get a junior hunting license in Maine is 10 years old. Children under 10 may accompany adults but may not hunt or tag game. Juniors (ages 10–15) can hunt with a junior license, which requires them to be under direct adult supervision of a licensed adult at all times. At age 16, a hunter needs to purchase an adult license and must have completed hunter education. Maine’s apprentice program allows those 16 or older who have not done hunter ed to buy an Apprentice License (available to both residents and non-residents).

More information

• maine.gov - Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife