Maine Hunting License Resident

A Maine Hunting License resident is someone who has been living in Maine for at most one year. Residents may include full-time students who have been enrolled at an educational institution in Maine for at most one year. For more information about residency requirements, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website.

• Maine residents are required to have a resident hunting permit. Additional permits might be required.
• Non-Resident
• Non-resident hunters must possess a hunting license. Additional permits might be required.

Youth Hunting License

Non-residents of Maine and residents under 16 must have a junior hunting licence. Hunters between the ages of 10 and 15 years old must be accompanied at all times by an adult supervisor. Hunters below the age of 10 years old must be accompanied within 20 feet by an adult supervisor. An adult supervisor must be 18 years old or older and must either have a valid hunting license or have completed a hunter education class.

Senior Hunting License

Maine residents 65 and older can purchase a lifetime, reduced-fee hunting license. Maine residents 70 years and older can pay a one-time payment for a lifetime hunting license. This includes the privileges of hunting, trapping fishing, archery, fishing, and fishing. For more information, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website.

Disability License

Maine residents may be eligible to receive a free hunting licence if they have lost the ability to use their lower extremities. If the state grants the same privilege to Maine residents, non-residents might be eligible for the free hunt license. For more information, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website.

Veterans and Military Licenses

A resident hunting license may be purchased by active-duty military personnel stationed in Maine, as well as their dependents. Active-duty military personnel who are Maine residents, but stationed abroad, and their dependents can purchase a reduced fee hunting license. For more information, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website.

Non-resident veterans of New Hampshire or Vermont may be eligible to receive a free hunting licence. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife main offices in Augusta can provide this license.

Requirements for Migratory Waterfowl hunting license

For hunting migratory waterfowl, hunters must be 16 years old or older to purchase the Maine Migratory Waterfowl Permit as well as the Federal Duck Stamp. The state stamp is also issued with proof of harvest information program (HIP) participation.

License expiration

Hunting licenses can be used from the date of issue up to December 31st of the same year. Non-residents and residents of Maine may be eligible for a lifetime hunting licence. For more information, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website.

Who needs a license?

A hunting license is required for anyone who hunts wild animals or birds in Maine. Your age, residency status, and other factors will determine the type of license that you require. There are exceptions to this rule. For more information, see license fees.

Hunting activities require permits in addition to a license. For more information, see the individual sections.

Junior and adult hunters:

Hunters younger than 16 years old must have a junior license. Adult hunters 16 years and older need an adult license. A junior license holder may hunt for the rest of the year with the junior license.

Exception for Assisting with a Hunt: Anyone may help in a hunt, provided they don’t have a hunting license or permit.

Landowner Privilege:

Maine residents and their immediate families may hunt on their land without a license if it exceeds 10 acres and is not used for agricultural purposes. Landowner privilege does not apply to hunters who have had their licenses suspended or revoked. It also does not apply for moose hunting where a license is required.

What are the requirements to obtain a Maine hunting license?

You must show proof that you have (1) held a Maine hunting license in the past year or (2) completed a hunter safety class to be eligible for a Maine hunting license. These are the requirements and exceptions for each license.

Firearms Licenses. To apply for an adult firearms hunting licence in Maine, proof of residency must be provided. You must also show proof that you are legally able to hunt with firearms. A permit to carry a gun must be obtained by convicted felons before they can purchase or possess a Maine firearms hunting license.

Archery Licenses:

You must prove that you have an adult license to hunt bow and arrow in any of the years after 1979 or that you have completed an archery education course.

Safety Course Requirement:

Crossbow Permits. To be eligible for a crossbow permit, you will need to show proof that you have a permit or license to hunt with a crossbow in any year since 1979. Also, the applicant must show proof that they have successfully completed either an archery safety class or a firearms safety course.

Native American Exception: Native Americans do not have to complete the safety course for crossbows, archery, and trapping.

Military Exception:

A U.S. Armed Forces active-duty soldier stationed permanently outside the U.S.A. on leave can be exempt from crossbow safety course requirements if he or she can prove at the time of license application that Maine is their home state.

How are licenses obtained?

MDIFW: Both residents and non-residents can obtain hunting licenses at the MDIFW office located in Augusta or online.

Agents: You can also purchase licenses from state agents (sporting goods stores, convenience stores, town clerks and turnpike service centres). Agents who accept online applications for antlerless and moose permits may charge a $2.00 fee. Note: Not all towns issue nonresident maine hunting licences.

The MDIFW Augusta office is the only place to purchase a trapping licence for the first time. Trapping license renewals, including bear permits, can now be ordered online starting in 2021. For more information, visit mefishwildlife.com

It is illegal to obtain a license, permit or certificate by misrepresentation or misstatement.