Maine Hunting License Requirements: What Every Hunter Needs to Know
June 6, 2026
Maine offers some of the finest hunting in the northeastern United States, with over 17 million acres of land open to hunters, world-class whitetail deer, moose, black bear, turkey, and abundant small game. Before you set foot in the woods, though, you need to understand exactly what the state requires of you — because hunting without the right license or permit carries serious legal consequences.
Whether you are a lifelong Maine resident or planning your first out-of-state trip to the Pine Tree State, this guide walks you through every aspect of hunting license requirements in Maine: who needs one, what exemptions exist, how much you will pay, which additional permits apply, and how to get certified and purchase your license the right way.
Who Needs a Hunting License in Maine
In general, anyone who hunts wild birds or animals in Maine needs a hunting license. The type of license you need depends upon your age, resident status, and other factors, and there are some exceptions. This applies to both residents and non-residents equally — there is no blanket exemption simply for being a Maine native.
Hunters under age 16 must possess a junior license, and those 16 and up need an adult license. A junior license holder who turns 16 may hunt with that junior license for the remainder of the calendar year.
The type of license you need depends upon your age, whether you are a Maine resident or nonresident, hunting method, and other factors. For example, hunting with a firearm, bow, or muzzleloader each carries its own licensing and education requirements. In addition to a license, most hunting activities also require a permit.
Important Note: It is unlawful to obtain a license or permit through misstatement or misrepresentation, or to possess a license or permit that has been altered or tampered with in any way.
Planning a Maine hunting trip also means packing smart. A reliable pair of hunting binoculars can make a significant difference when scouting terrain and identifying game at distance across Maine’s dense forests and open ridgelines.
Exemptions From Hunting License Requirements in Maine
Maine law recognizes a handful of specific situations where a person may hunt without holding a standard license. These exemptions are narrow and come with their own conditions, so read each one carefully before assuming it applies to you.
Assisting in a Hunt: A person may assist in a hunt without a license or permit for that activity, as long as they do not carry hunting equipment (means to kill) or drive deer.
Landowner Privilege: Maine resident landowners and their immediate family members may hunt without a license using firearms, archery, crossbow, or muzzleloader on land they own and reside upon, provided the land exceeds 10 acres in size and is used exclusively for agricultural purposes. The landowner privilege is not available to hunters with revoked or suspended licenses, and does not apply to moose hunting, for which a license is still required.
Military Exemptions: Anyone serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and permanently stationed at a military base in Maine (including spouse and dependent children if they permanently reside with that person) may purchase a resident license to hunt, trap, or fish. An active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is permanently stationed outside of the U.S. and home on leave is exempt from firearms and archery safety course requirements if they can show proof at time of license application that their home state of record is Maine.
Disability and Veteran Exemptions: Maine residents who have lost the use of their lower extremities may be eligible for a free hunting license. Non-residents may be eligible for the free hunting license if their home state extends the same privilege to Maine residents. Resident veterans and non-resident veterans from New Hampshire and Vermont who have 50% or more service-connected disability may be eligible for a free hunting license. This license is available only at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife main office in Augusta.
Native American Exception: Native Americans are exempt from the safety course requirement for archery and trapping.
Exchange Students: Any citizen of a foreign nation under age 21 who is living with a family in Maine for a cultural or educational exchange program may purchase a resident license to hunt or fish.
Resident vs. Non-Resident Hunting Licenses in Maine
Your residency status is one of the most important factors in determining which license you need and how much you will pay. Maine draws a clear line between residents and non-residents, and misrepresenting your status is a violation of state law.
A resident is a person who has lived in Maine for at least one year. Full-time students enrolled in an educational institution in Maine for at least one year may be considered residents. A non-resident between 18 and 23, inclusive, enrolled full-time in a college in Maine may be eligible for a resident rate license for fishing, hunting, and trapping. This license must be obtained at the main office in Augusta.
Residents enjoy significantly lower license fees and access to resident-only options like the Super Pack. Non-residents have access to the same hunting opportunities but pay a premium for that access. Non-residents must employ, and hunt in the presence of, a resident Maine guide to hunt bears with dogs (unless the non-resident is themselves a licensed Maine guide, with additional restrictions).
Any resident of New Brunswick or Quebec who is not a U.S. citizen and who wishes to hunt bear, deer, moose, or wild turkey in Maine must be accompanied by a Maine Guide unless they can provide documentation to MDIFW that they own or lease land in Maine, are current on property taxes for that land, and keep that land open to hunting. That person’s family member including a parent, spouse, daughter or son, or a grandchild who is less than 18 years of age also qualifies.
If you are also planning to fish during your Maine trip, be sure to review the fishing license requirements in Maine so you are covered for both activities.
Pro Tip: Active-duty military members who are Maine residents stationed outside the state may purchase a hunting license at the reduced Maine Resident Serviceman combination price. Their spouse and dependent children residing with them are also entitled to discounted rates.
Types of Hunting Licenses in Maine
Maine structures its hunting licenses around your age, residency, and intended hunting method. Understanding which category you fall into will save you time and prevent the common mistake of buying the wrong license class.
Big Game License: A big game license permits hunting of all legal species, including deer, bear, moose, raccoon, and bobcat (additional permits apply for certain species and seasons). A big game hunting license also permits the hunter to hunt small game — you do not need to purchase both the big game and the small game hunting license.
Small Game License: A small game license permits hunting of all game species except deer, bear, moose, raccoon, and bobcat. A hunter is still required to purchase any additional permit that is required to hunt that species.
Archery License: An archery license allows a person to hunt with a bow and arrow or crossbow. To obtain an adult archery hunting license, you must show proof of having held an adult license to hunt with bow and arrow in any year after 1979, successful completion of an archery education course, or evidence of previously holding a crossbow permit in Maine prior to 2024.
Apprentice Hunting License: An apprentice hunting license is for anyone over the age of 16 who has not completed a hunter safety course in any state or province, nor held an adult hunting license in any state or province, to try hunting. The apprentice hunter must hunt in the presence of an apprentice supervisor who is at least 18 years of age and has held an adult hunting license for the prior three consecutive years. The apprentice license covers the hunter’s bear and turkey permit; all other permits are still required to be purchased. A person cannot hunt moose on an apprentice license. An apprentice license can be purchased no more than five times by one hunter and does not exempt the hunter from completing hunter safety to get an adult hunting license.
Super Pack License: A Super Pack license is only available for Maine residents, and it is a yearly cost of $212. This license covers the licensee for hunting, fishing, archery, spring/fall turkey, muzzleloader, migratory waterfowl (state stamp), pheasant, bear hunting, coyote night hunt, one either-sex expanded archery permit, and three expanded archery antlerless permits. The Super Pack also includes a free entry to the moose lottery — you must still apply to the lottery — and it enters you into a specialized category when you apply to the antlerless deer permit lottery.
Lifetime License: A lifetime license, purchased for yourself or as a gift, allows the bearer to fish, trap, and/or hunt for their lifetime, regardless of where they live in the future. Revenues generated by these licenses are deposited in a special trust fund that provides long-term financial support for Maine’s fish and wildlife. For a one-time fee of $8.00, a senior lifetime license entitles the holder to all privileges they are qualified to receive including hunting, trapping, archery, and fishing. The license also includes permits for bear hunt, bear trap, muzzleloader, migratory waterfowl, pheasant, spring and fall turkey, coyote night hunt, crossbow, one expanded archery antlerless, and one expanded archery either-sex. You must still apply for any deer and moose permits each year.
A Maine Wildlife Field Guide is a practical companion for any hunter wanting to sharpen their species identification skills before and during the season.
How Much a Hunting License Costs in Maine
Maine license fees vary considerably based on your residency status, age, and the type of license you need. The figures below reflect data from official and authoritative sources as of 2026; always verify current fees directly with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife before purchasing, as fees are subject to change.
| License Type | Resident Fee | Non-Resident Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Big Game (Adult, 16+) | $26 | $115 |
| Small Game | $16 | $69–$75 |
| Archery (Adult) | Varies | $69–$70 |
| Combination Hunt + Fish | $42 | Varies |
| Junior (Ages 10–15) | $7 | $7 |
| Super Pack (Resident Only) | $212 | N/A |
| 3-Day Small Game (NR) | N/A | ~$47–$50 |
| Senior Lifetime (Age 70+) | $8 one-time fee | N/A |
Maine offers one of the most generous senior hunting benefits in the northeastern U.S.: residents age 70 and older receive a free lifetime combination hunting and fishing license — no annual renewal ever required. Disabled veterans with 100% service-connected disability receive free licenses and permits.
Fees listed do not include the agent fee. When purchasing through a licensed agent, expect to pay an additional $2.00 per license authority, up to a maximum of $6.00.
Key Insight: The resident Super Pack at $212 is the best value for Maine hunters who pursue multiple species and methods. It bundles big game, fishing, archery, muzzleloader, turkey, waterfowl, bear, and more — plus a free moose lottery entry — into a single annual purchase.
Special Permits, Tags, and Stamps in Maine
Your base hunting license is only the starting point. Some species and hunting methods require additional permits, which are outlined by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Forgetting a required permit is one of the most common compliance mistakes Maine hunters make.
Deer Permits: Antlerless deer permits can be obtained through the lottery, and extra permits are available for purchase online on a first-come, first-served basis. The antlerless deer permit costs $12 for residents. A muzzleloader permit is also required for the muzzleloader deer season, running $16 for residents and $25 for non-residents.
Moose Permits: Moose permits can be obtained through the lottery (lottery is open April through mid-May), by auction, or by outfitter tag. Resident moose permits cost $52; non-resident permits cost $585. The application fee is $15 for one lottery entry; non-residents may purchase up to 10 chances for $55.
Bear Permits: To hunt bear, Maine requires a valid hunting license and a bear permit, with an exception that resident hunters do not need a bear permit to hunt bear during the firearms season for deer. Bear permits cost $10 for residents; non-resident bear hunting with bait or hounds requires a $74 non-resident bear permit.
Turkey Permits: Turkey permits are required to hunt turkeys during spring and fall seasons; permits are unit-specific.
Migratory Waterfowl: All hunters age 16 or older must purchase the Maine Migratory Waterfowl Permit and the Federal Duck Stamp when hunting migratory waterfowl. Proof of Harvest Information Program (HIP) participation is issued at the same time as the state stamp. Note that the Federal Duck Stamp costs $25 and is not included in the Super Pack license.
Expanded Archery Permit: An expanded archery permit is required to hunt during the expanded archery season in designated areas.
If you hunt across multiple states, it is worth comparing how Maine’s permit system stacks up against other states. Hunters who also pursue game in neighboring states can review fishing license requirements in Connecticut or explore regulations in other regions such as Michigan and Wisconsin for a broader picture of license structures across the Northeast and Midwest.
Hunter Education Requirements in Maine
Maine takes hunter education seriously, and you cannot simply walk in and buy an adult firearms hunting license without meeting the state’s certification standard. In Maine, hunters and trappers must attend approved training courses specific to the license or permit type they wish to purchase. By state law, anyone planning to buy a hunting license, archery hunting license, or trapping license must complete the respective hunter, archery, or trapper education course. Individuals may purchase each of these licenses by showing a certificate of completion from the appropriate course, or a previously issued license of the same type.
When applying for an adult firearms hunting license in Maine, you must show proof of residency, and that you have either possessed an adult license to hunt with firearms in any year beginning with 1976, or successfully completed an approved hunter safety course in any U.S. state, province, or country.
Course Formats: Firearms, bowhunter, and crossbow hunter safety courses are available in two different formats: online and traditional in-person classes. Maine permits hunter safety education to be completed online for students aged 16 and older, with specific guidelines set by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
An in-person skills and exam session is required for students ages 10–15 who take firearms and bowhunter safety courses online. The in-person classes are sponsored by school districts, sports clubs, civic groups, and others, and are taught statewide by volunteer instructors certified by MDIFW. Pre-registration is typically required.
Out-of-State Certification: Maine accepts hunter safety certification from other states and provinces. You just need to show proof of completion if you were born after 1976. If you have lost your hunter safety card, you may obtain a duplicate by calling 207-287-5220 or emailing jaime.berard@maine.gov.
Common Mistake: Assuming your out-of-state license from a prior year substitutes for hunter education. Maine accepts prior licenses as proof, but only if you held a valid adult firearms hunting license in any year from 1976 onward. If you have never held one, you must complete a certified hunter safety course regardless of age.
If you are preparing for your hunter education certification, a Hunter Safety Course Study Guide can help you review firearms safety, hunting ethics, wildlife identification, and the core concepts covered in the Maine certification exam.
How to Buy a Hunting License in Maine
Maine gives you several convenient options for purchasing your hunting license, whether you prefer to handle everything online or work with a local agent in person.
- Online through MDIFW (M.O.S.E.S.): Hunting licenses and permits may be purchased online or at local agents such as town offices. The Maine Online Sportsman Electronic System (M.O.S.E.S.) is available to both residents and non-residents for most standard license types.
- At the MDIFW Augusta Office: Residents and non-residents may obtain hunting licenses from the MDIFW office in Augusta, or online. Certain restricted license categories — such as lifetime licenses and first-time trapping licenses — must be obtained directly at the Augusta office.
- Through Licensed Agents: Licenses can also be purchased from agents throughout the state, including sporting goods stores, many convenience stores, town clerks, and turnpike service centers. Not all town clerks issue nonresident licenses, so call ahead if you are a non-resident planning to use a local town office.
Popular in-person agent locations include L.L.Bean in Freeport and Kittery Trading Post in Kittery, both of which are well-stocked for hunting needs. Agents who process applications online for moose and antlerless deer permits may charge a fee of $2.00.
Before you head out, make sure your gear is dialed in. A purpose-built hunting backpack with organized compartments for licenses, permits, calls, and field gear keeps everything accessible and protected in Maine’s rugged terrain.
Hunters who also enjoy fishing will want to pick up their fishing license at the same time. You can review the full breakdown of Maine fishing license requirements to make sure you are covered on the water as well. For comparison, hunters who travel frequently may also find it useful to look at how other states structure their licenses, such as Montana, Colorado, or West Virginia.
License Validity and Renewal in Maine
Understanding when your Maine hunting license is valid — and when it expires — is essential for planning your season and avoiding costly mistakes in the field.
To hunt in Maine, you must have a valid hunting license. Hunting licenses are valid for one calendar year, starting January 1 (or on the date of purchase if after January 1). This means a license purchased in October expires on December 31 of the same year, not one year from the purchase date.
Maine hunting licenses are good from the date of issue to December 31 of the same year. There is no automatic renewal — you must purchase a new license each calendar year. Licenses do not carry over, and hunting on an expired license is treated the same as hunting without one.
Lifetime Licenses: Maine residents and non-residents may be eligible to purchase a lifetime hunting license. Lifetime license holders age 70 and older receive all applicable hunting permits included with their license at no additional annual cost, though they must still apply for antlerless deer and moose permits each year through the standard lottery process.
Renewal Timing: New licenses for the upcoming calendar year typically become available for purchase before January 1, allowing you to renew in advance and be ready for any early-season opportunities. If you hunt late-season muzzleloader or extended archery seasons that run into December, confirm your license expiration date before heading afield.
Important Note: Maine law requires you to carry your hunting license — either electronic or paper — while hunting and to present it upon request by a game warden. Keep a copy accessible in the field at all times.
Maine’s hunting traditions run deep, and the state’s licensing system is designed to support sustainable wildlife management while keeping access available to hunters of all backgrounds. Whether you are a first-timer working through hunter education or a seasoned resident renewing your annual license, staying current with Maine’s requirements ensures you can focus on what matters most — the hunt itself. For hunters who also pursue fish and game across state lines, resources covering Tennessee, Iowa, and Arkansas license requirements are available to help you plan multi-state seasons with confidence.