Maine hunting
Public hunting land in Maine
Caliber maps 107 public hunting areas in Maine, with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
Maine · 107 areas
Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 58,937 acres
White Mountain National Forest
National forest · 42,591 acres
Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 23,230 acres
Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 22,458 acres
Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 14,700 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 107 by distance from you.
- 94
- State wildlife areas
- 2
- National forests
- 11
- National wildlife refuges
Maine hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
- Phone
- (207) 287-8000
- Resident license
- $15 — Resident Small Game Hunting license (16+); $26 for the full Hunting license
- Nonresident license
- $75 — Nonresident Small Game Hunting license (16+); full Hunting license $115
- Hunter education
- Adults must show a prior hunting license (firearms: held since 1976) or completion of a hunter safety course.
- Good to know
- Unposted land is legal to use under Maine's implied-permission rule, but IFW says always ask the landowner first.
Fees and rules as published by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
- Hunting licenses
- Season dates
- Regulations
- Public hunting lands
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in Maine
The 12 biggest of 107 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 58,937 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| White Mountain National Forest | National forest | 42,591 | Open |
| Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 23,230 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 22,458 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 14,700 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Mattawamkeag River Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 14,695 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 11,257 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 9,896 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Vernon S. Walker Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 8,861 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| White Mountain Purchase Unit | National forest | 7,677 | Open |
| Bud Leavitt (Bull Hill) Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 6,378 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Bud Leavitt Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 6,027 | Not recorded: check with the agency |
State wildlife areas · 94
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 2
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
National wildlife refuges · 11
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
Maine hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in Maine?
Caliber lists 107 public hunting areas in Maine: 94 state wildlife areas, 2 national forests, 11 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in Maine?
As published by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $15 — Resident Small Game Hunting license (16+); $26 for the full Hunting license; nonresident, $75 — Nonresident Small Game Hunting license (16+); full Hunting license $115. Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in Maine?
Adults must show a prior hunting license (firearms: held since 1976) or completion of a hunter safety course. Check Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in Maine?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find Maine hunting land near you
All 107 Maine areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
Free download · Optional Caliber Pro upgrade · iPhone and iPad
Public hunting land in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the managing agency before you hunt.
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Guides & directories
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