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Home > Licenses and Permits > Hunting Licenses

Hunting Licenses

Buy your 2008 Hunting and Fishing License Online and you will automatically be entered into the 2008 MOSES Prize Giveway.

Who needs a hunting license?

  • Anyone 10 years of age and over must obtain a license to hunt wild birds or wild animals (except Maine resident landowners may hunt without a license on land they own and reside on provided the land exceeds 10 acres in size and is used exclusively for agricultural purposes).
  • Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to hunt.
  • Hunters between the ages of 10 and 15 must possess a junior license.
  • Hunters 16 years of age and over must possess an adult license to hunt. (NOTE: A Junior License holder who turns 16 may hunt with that Junior License for the remainder of the year, but must complete a hunter safety course prior to hunting without adult supervision.
  • Hunters 16 years of age and over wishing to hunt with bow and arrow during the Special or Expanded Archery Seasons must obtain and archery license and the appropriate expanded archery permits.

What are the requirements for obtaining a hunting license?

  • To obtain an adult hunting license, you must show proof of having previously held an adult license to hunt with firearms in any year beginning with 1976 or successful completion of an approved hunter safety course. Residents must provide proof of residency when applying for a license. Also see Apprenticeship Hunter License.
  • 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 since 1979 or successful completion of an archery education course. Also see Apprenticeship Hunter License.
  • To obtain an adult crossbow hunting license, you must hold a valid license to hunt big game (either a big game hunting license or an archery license). You must show proof of having successfully completed an archery hunting education course and a crossbow hunting course or satisfactory evidence of having previously held adult archery and crossbow hunting licenses in this State or any other state, province or country in any year after 1979. When proof or evidence cannot be provided, the applicant may substitute a signed affidavit. Also see Apprenticeship Hunter License.

    A resident or nonresident 10 years of age or older and under 16 years of age may hunt with a crossbow if that person holds a valid junior hunting license (no crossbow license required).

Convicted felons cannot purchase or possess a firearms hunting license or a Specialized Hunting Guide License (Title 15, sub§393, sub-§§ 1 & 2) unless they have a permit to carry a firearm which may be obtained from the Department of Public Safety - Telephone (207) 624-7210.

It is unlawful to obtain any license or permit through misstatement or misrepresentation or to possess any license or permit which has been altered, mutilated or tampered with in any manner.

Other hunting license provisions:

You are required to keep your hunting license and any necessary permits with you while hunting or transporting wild birds and wild animals and must show it to any warden, law enforcement officer, Department employee, guide or landowner upon whose land you are hunting if requested.

Any license issued by the Department must be signed prior to use.

Hunting License Fees

Resident Hunting License Fees (Prices listed below do not include the agent fee.)

Superpack License (16 years and older) - $200.00

Combination Fishing and Archery (16 years and older) - $38.00

Combination Hunting and Fishing (16 years and older) - $38.00

Hunting (16 years and older) - $21.00
(Note: A hunting license may also be referred to as a big game hunting license)

Apprenticeship Hunter (16 years and older) - $21.00

Small Game Hunting (16 years and older) - $21.00

Junior Hunting (10 to 15 years) - $7.00

Archery Hunting (16 years and older) - $21.00

Apprenticeship Archery Hunter (16 years and older) - $21.00

Disabled War Veteran (resident only) - free

Over 70 - $8.00

Paraplegic (10 years and older) - free

Serviceman Licenses

Serviceman (resident) Fishing and Hunting (16 years and older) - $3.00

Serviceman Dependent Hunting (16 years and older) - $10.00

Serviceman Dependent Fishing and Hunting (16 years and older) - $20.00

Serviceman (Complimentary Military)

Crossbow Hunting (10 years and older) - $25.00

Apprenticeship Crossbow Hunter (16 years and older) - $25.00

Expanded Archery (10 years and older)

Antlerless Deer - $12.00

Antlered Deer - $32.00

Bear Permit (10 years and older) - $27.00

Coyote Night Hunting Permit (16 years and older) - $4.00

Migratory Waterfowl Hunting (16 years and older) - $7.50

Muzzleloading (10 years and older) - $13.00

Pheasant Hunting Permit (16 years and older) - $17.00

Turkey Permits

Fall Turkey (10 years and older) - $20.00

Spring Turkey (10 years and older) - $20.00

Duplicate - $2.00

Nonresident Hunting Licenses (Prices listed below do not include the agent fee.)

Combination Hunting & Fishing (16 years and older) - $137.00

Big Game Hunting (16 years and older) - $102.00

Apprenticeship Big Game Hunter (16 years and older) - $102.00

Small Game Hunting (16 years and older) - $67.00

Apprenticeship Small Game Hunter (16 years and older) - $67.00

3-day Small Game hunting (valid for 3 consecutive days) - $42.00

Junior Hunting (10 to 15 years) - $27.00

Archery Hunting (16 years and older) - $62.00

Apprenticeship Archery Hunter (16 years and older) - $62.00

Crossbow Hunting (10 years and older) - $48.00

Apprenticeship Crossbow Hunter (16 years and older) - $48.00

Expanded Archery (10 years and older)

Antlerless Deer - $12.00

Antlered Deer - $32.00

Bear Permit (10 years and older) - $67.00

November (Late Season) Bear Permit (10 years and older) - $40.00

Coyote Night Hunting Permit (16 years and older) - $4.00

Migratory Waterfowl Hunting (16 years and older) - $7.50

Muzzle-loading Permit (10 years and older) - $62.00

Pheasant Hunting Permit (16 years and older) - $17.00

Turkey Permits

Fall Turkey (10 years and older) - $47.00

Spring Turkey (10 years and older) - $47.00

Duplicate - $2.00

Alien Hunting License Fees (Prices listed below do not include the agent fee.)
Note: New for the 2007 hunting season - An alien may not hunt moose, deer or bear without being accompanied by a person who holds a valid guide license.

Application/Permit for Non-immigrant Aliens temporarily bringing firearms or ammunition into the United States for hunting or other lawful sporting purposes.

Combination Hunting & Fishing (16 years and older) - $178.00

Big Game Hunting (16 years and older) - $127.00

Small Game Hunting (16 years and older) - $72.00

3-day Small Game hunting (valid for 3 consecutive days) - $42.00

Junior Hunting (10 to 15 years) - $27.00

Archery Hunting (16 years and older) - $72.00

Crossbow Hunting (10 years and older) - $72.00

Expanded Archery (10 years and older)

Antlerless Deer - $12.00

Antlered Deer - $32.00

Bear Permit (10 years and older) - $67.00

November (Late Season) Bear Permit (10 years and older) - $40.00

Coyote Night Hunting Permit (16 years and older) - $4.00

Migratory Waterfowl Hunting (16 years and older) - $7.50

Muzzle-loading Permit (10 years and older) - $72.00

Pheasant Hunting Permit (16 years and older) - $17.00

Turkey Permits

Fall Turkey (10 years and older) - $47.00

Spring Turkey (10 years and older) - $47.00

Duplicate - $2.00

Other Licenses and Permits

Any Deer Permits

Complimentary Hunting Licenses

Falconry - $26.00

Moose Permits

Supersport - $20.00

Turkey Permits - Spring, Fall

Expiration: Unless otherwise specifically provided, all licenses expire on December 31st of the calendar year for which they were issued.

Any-Deer Permits: A any-permit is required to hunt antlerless deer in the State of Maine during the firearm and muzzleloading seasons on deer. Any-Deer permits are drawn in a special lottery drawing. See any-deer for more information.

Apprenticeship Hunter License: An apprenticeship hunter license permits a person 16 years of age or older who has never hunted or taken a hunter safety course, to hunt under the supervision of a person at least 18 years of age who has held a valid hunting license for the prior 5 consecutive years. The supervisor would be responsible for ensuring that the holder of the apprenticeship license follows safe hunting protocol and the laws. A person may only hold this license once and in order for that person to obtain a regular license, they would still be required to take the appropriate hunter safety course(s). For more information, see Apprenticeship Hunter License.

Archery License: An archery license permits persons 16 years of age or older to hunt all legal big game and small game with bow and arrow only (see exceptions).

Bear Hunting Permit: A bear permit is required in addition to a hunting license that allows hunting of big game or an archery license for hunters 10 years of age or older to hunt bear before the opening day of the regular firearm season on deer.

November (late season) Bear Hunting Permit: A late season bear hunting permit is required in addition to a hunting license that allows hunting of big game or an archery license for nonresident and alien hunters 10 years of age or older to hunt bear during the regular firearm season on deer. If a person already possesses a valid bear hunting permit (required for hunting bear before the firearm season on deer), they do not need to purchase the late season bear permit.

Hunting License: A resident hunting license or nonresident big game hunting license permits persons 16 years of age or older to hunt all legal big game and small game with a firearm, muzzleloader, or bow and arrow (see exceptions). Note: Additional permits may be required depending on the species you plan to hunt.

Combination Fishing and Archery License: A combination fishing and archery license permits persons 16 years of age or older to fish in inland waters and permits hunting of all legal big game and small game with bow and arrow only (see exceptions).

Combination Hunting and Fishing License: A combination hunting and fishing license permits persons 16 years of age or older to fish in inland waters and permits hunting of all legal big game and small game with a firearm, muzzleloader, or bow and arrow (see exceptions).

Note: Additional permits may be required depending on the species you plan to hunt.

Coyote Night Hunting Permit: A coyote night hunting permit is required in adddition to a hunting license that allows hunting of big game or small game for hunters 10 years of age or older to hunt coyote at night from January 1 to June 1. Hunting under this permit is limited to 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise and shall cease at midnight each Saturday and resume at 12:01 a.m. on Monday.

Hunters must be in possession of an electronic, hand-held, or mouth-operated predator calling device.

Crossbow Hunting License: A crossbow hunting license permits persons 16 years of age or older to hunt bear with a crossbow during the bear hunting season, or to hunt deer with a crossbow during the open firearm season on deer.

A resident or nonresident 10 years of age or older and under 16 years of age may hunt with a crossbow if that person holds a valid junior hunting license (no crossbow license required).

A crossbow may not be used to hunt deer during the archery season on deer, muzzleloading season on deer, or the expanded archery season on deer. See crossbow hunting license requirements.

Duplicate License: A duplicate license may be obtained from the license agent who issued original license for $2.00.

Expanded Archery Permits: The expanded archery permits (antlered or antlerless) are required for hunters 10 years of age or older in addition to an archery license to hunt deer during the expanded archery season. A hunter may purchase only one expanded archery antlered permit but may purchase unlimited expanded antlerless permits.

Note: Hunters who have a complimentary license (Disabled Veterans, and Indian), and hunters who have a junior hunting license may hunt during the expanded archery season on deer provided they purchase the appropriate expanded archery permits.

Falconry License: A falconry license is required in addition to a hunting license for a person to engage in falconry. Copies of the regulations pertaining to this type of hunting are available upon request.

Junior Hunting License: A junior hunting license permits persons 10 years of age and under 16 years of age to hunt all legal big game and small game with a firearm, muzzleloader, or bow and arrow. (Note: A junior hunter must purchase the bear permit, muzzleloading permit, expanded archery permits, and Wild Turkey permits. A junior hunting license also permits persons 10 years of age and under 16 years of age to hunt bear during the bear hunting season or deer during the open firearm season on deer with a crossbow - see crossbow hunting license above.

A junior hunter who turns 16 years old may continue hunting for the rest of that calendar year with the junior license but must complete the appropriate safety course prior to hunting without adult supervison. A junior hunter who turns 16 and continues hunting with a junior hunting license must purchase a state migratory waterfowl permit and a federal migratory waterfowl stamp, and pheasant hunting permits.

Note: Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to hunt in the State of Maine.

Migratory Waterfowl Permit: A state migratory waterfowl permit is required in addition to a license that allows hunting of big game or small game for hunters 16 years of age or older to hunt migratory waterfowl. (A federal migratory waterfowl stamp is also required.)

Moose Permit: A moose permit is required in addition to a license that allows hunting of big game to hunt moose in the State of Maine. Moose permits are drawn in a special lottery drawing. See moose hunting for more information.

Muzzleloading Permit: A muzzleloading permit is required in addition to a hunting license that allows hunting of big game with a firearm for hunters 10 years of age or older to hunt deer during the muzzleloading season.

Pheasant Permit: A pheasant permit is required in addition to a hunting license that allows hunting of big game or small game for hunters 16 years of age or older to hunt pheasant in Cumberland and York counties.

Serviceman Licenses:
1. Maine residents who are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and permanently stationed outside Maine are eligible to purchase either a hunting, fishing, or combination hunting and fishing license for a special fee of $3.00*.

Spouse and dependent children may obtain a combination license for $20*, or a hunting or fishing license for $10*, upon proof that their home of record, as recorded in a service record, is Maine.

*Plus the agent fee.

2. Anyone serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and permanently stationed at a military base in Maine (includes spouse and dependent children if they permanently reside with that person) may purchase a resident license to hunt, fish, or trap.

Small Game Hunting License: A resident small game hunting license or nonresident small game hunting license permits persons 16 years of age or older to hunt all legal game species except deer, bear, turkey, moose, raccoon and bobcat with a firearm or bow and arrow. The 3-day small game hunting license is valid for 3 consecutive days.

Supersport: A supersport certificate may be obtained for a fee of $20.00. See Supersport Program for more information.

Turkey Permits

Turkey Permit (Fall): A fall Wild Turkey hunting permit and an archery license are required to hunt in Zone 1 and 2. In Zone 3, a fall Wild Turkey hunting permit and a hunting license that allows hunting for big game are required to hunt with a shotgun, and a fall Wild Turkey hunting permit and an archery license are required to hunt with bow and arrow. See Turkey Hunting for more information.

Turkey Permit (Spring): A spring Wild Turkey permit is required in addition to a hunting license that allows hunting of big game or an archery license for hunters 10 years of age or older to hunt Wild Turkey during the spring Wild Turkey hunting season. See Turkey Hunting for more information.

Exceptions: An archery license is required to hunt during the archery and expanded archery seasons on deer, and to hunt Wild Turkey during the fall Wild Turkey archery hunting season. Also see muzzleloading permit.