Who Needs a License?
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. In addition to a license, most hunting activities also require a permit. See individual species pages for details.
Junior and Adult Hunters: Hunters under age 16 must possess a junior license, and those 16 and up need an adult license. Note: a junior license holder who turns 16 may hunt with that junior license for the remainder of the calendar year.
What Are the Requirements for Obtaining a License?
To obtain a hunting license in Maine, you generally need to show that you have either (1) held that license in a prior year, or (2) taken a hunter safety course. License-specific requirements and exceptions follow.
Outdoor Safety Courses
Maine law requires all firearms, archery, crossbow, or trapping license applicants to complete an outdoor safety course, unless they have previously held an adult license. These 6 to 12-hour courses (depending on the subject) are sponsored by school districts, sports clubs, civic groups, and others, and are taught statewide by volunteer instructors certified by MDIFW.
Courses are scheduled based on instructor availability, with pre-registration typically required. To view course listings, see Safety/Edcuation Courses. For information on becoming a volunteer instructor, contact your local Regional Safety Coordinator or the Recreational Safety Division Office. Recreational Safety Division (207) 287-5220.
Firearms Licenses: 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 prior year beginning with 1976, or successfully completed an approved hunter safety course in any U.S. state. Convicted felons cannot purchase or possess a firearms hunting license in Maine unless they have been issued a permit to carry a firearm.
Archery Licenses: 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, or successful completion of an archery education course.
Exceptions to Safety Course Requirements:
Native American Exception: Native Americans are exempt from the safety course requirement for archery, crossbow, and trapping.
Military Exception: 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 hunter, archery, and crossbow safety course requirements if they can show proof at time of license application that their home state of record is Maine.
How Are Licenses Obtained?
From MDIFW: Residents and nonresidents may obtain hunting licenses from the MDIFW office in Augusta, either in person, online at mainefishwildlife.com, or (for non-residents) by mail.
From Agents: Licenses can also be purchased from agents throughout the state (sporting good stores, many convenience stores, town clerks, and turnpike service centers). Agents who process applications online for moose and antlerless deer permits may charge a fee of $2.00. Note: Not all town clerks issue nonresident licenses.
All trapping licenses are issued by the MDIFW office in Augusta and cannot be purchased online.
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.
Definitions
Resident means a citizen of the United States or an alien who has been domiciled in the State for one year who:
- if registered to vote, is registered in this State;
- if licensed to drive a motor vehicle, has made application for or possesses a motor vehicle operator’s license issued by the State;
- if owning a motor vehicle located within the State, has registered each such vehicle in the State;
- is in compliance with the state income tax laws;
- is a full-time student at a Maine college or university who satisfies above requirements.
Nonresident means a citizen of the United States who does not fall within the definition of Alien or Resident.
Alien means a person who is not a citizen of the United States.