Maine Hunting Seasons & Prices
2026 big-game season dates and license/tag prices.
Maine offers 2026 hunting seasons for whitetail across archery, firearm, and muzzleloader methods. Seasons run from October 3 through December 12, 2026. A hunting license (annual) costs $26 for residents and $116 for nonresidents.
Planning reference only — always confirm dates and prices with the state wildlife agency before applying, buying a license, or hunting.
Season dates
Whitetail
| Season | Method | Opens | Closes | Notes | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Archery | Archery | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Youth Deer Hunt | Firearm | Oct 23, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Maine Resident Only Day | Firearm | Oct 31, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Firearms | Firearm | Nov 2, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Muzzleloader (statewide) | Muzzleloader | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 5, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Muzzleloader (WMDs 12, 13, 15–18, 20–26, 29) | Muzzleloader | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 12, 2026 | 🔔 |
License & tag prices
| License | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting License (annual) | $26 | $116 | |
| Nonresident Archery Hunting License | — | $76 | |
| Antlerless Deer Permit | $12 | $12 |
The base hunting license includes a deer tag; antlerless deer are by permit/lottery.
Source: Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife license fees (maine.gov/ifw)
Maine hunt units
Explore harvest history, success rates, and draw odds by unit.
WMD 1 Black bearWMD 2 Black bearWMD 3 Black bearWMD 4 Black bearWMD 5 Black bearWMD 6 Black bearWMD 7 Black bearWMD 8 Black bearWMD 9 Black bearWMD 10 Black bearWMD 11 Black bearWMD 12 Black bear
Browse all Maine harvest data →Maine hunting FAQ
- When does whitetail season open in Maine in 2026?
- Maine's 2026 whitetail archery season opens October 3 and runs through October 30. Always confirm exact dates with the state wildlife agency before hunting.
- What big-game species can you hunt in Maine?
- In 2026, Maine has hunting seasons for whitetail.
- How much is a Maine hunting license for nonresidents?
- A hunting license (annual) in Maine is $116 for nonresidents and $26 for residents.