In Maine, all adults must either show proof of having held a hunting license any year since 1976 or complete a hunter education course before buying a hunting license. The state of Maine will accept your hunter safety course from any other state as proof.
Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Maine hunting license:
- Step 1: Complete a Hunter Education Certification course and obtain a state-issued Hunter Education Card
- Step 2: Select your license type
- Step 3: Buy your Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife license through an online purchase or in-person through a licensed agent.
ME Hunter Education Certification
How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)
You have three options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Maine. The first two options are presented by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. The last option through HunterSafetyUSA, is the fastest & can be used to hunt across the US.
- Complete an in-person course. In-person courses require students to attend a 3-hour session of classroom instruction, then complete a workbook at home, and then attend an in-person skills and exam session.
- An online course through a Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife exclusive partner is available for those over age 16. These courses will require you to read through the content and watch some videos. Students are welcome to attend an in-person skills and exam session after completing the online course to obtain further skills and information if desired. Students ages 10-15 may complete the online course, but to become fully certified, they are required to attend an in-person skills and exam session.
- Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course with HunterSafetyUSA (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course.
What makes our course the best?
First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they simply love it that much.
Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.
After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.
We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including Maine), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US Territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.
Select Your Hunting License in Maine
Maine offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences.
Maine residents and non-residents under 16 years old must have a junior hunting license. Hunters ages 10 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult supervisor. Hunters under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult supervisor who is within 20 feet of the junior hunter. The adult supervisor age 18 or older must hold or have held a valid adult hunting license, or that person must have completed a hunter education course.
Below is an overview of the primary license types available:
Resident Licenses
A resident is a person who has lived in Maine for at least one year. All Maine residents must have a resident hunting license. Additional permits may be required.
- Big Game Hunting License – Required for Maine residents aged 16 and older to hunt all legal game species, including deer, bear, moose, raccoon, and bobcat.
- Small Game Hunting License – Permits hunting of all game species except deer, bear, moose, raccoon, and bobcat.
- Combination Hunting & Fishing License – Provides both hunting and fishing privileges for residents aged 16 and older.
- Super Pack License – Available to residents; includes hunting and fishing privileges along with permits for muzzleloader, crossbow, migratory waterfowl, pheasant, spring/fall turkey, bear hunting, coyote night hunt, and three expanded archery antlerless permits.
- Apprentice Hunting License – Allows residents aged 16 and older who have not completed a hunter education course to hunt under the supervision of a licensed adult.
- Landowner Privileges – Resident landowners may hunt on their own land without a license, provided the land is at least 10 contiguous acres and used exclusively for agricultural purposes.
Non-Resident Licenses
All non-residents must have a non-resident hunting license, and they must comply with any additional regulations that may require additional permits.
- Big Game Hunting License – Required for non-residents aged 16 and older to hunt all legal game species, including deer, bear, moose, raccoon, and bobcat.
- Small Game Hunting License – Permits hunting of all game species except deer, bear, moose, raccoon, and bobcat.
- Combination Hunting & Fishing License – Provides both hunting and fishing privileges for non-residents aged 16 and older.
- 3-Day Small Game License – Allows non-residents to hunt small game for three consecutive days; not valid for big game hunting.
- Apprentice Hunting License – Allows non-residents aged 16 and older who have not completed a hunter education course to hunt under the supervision of a licensed adult.
Youth Licenses & Requirements
- Junior Hunting License – Available for residents and non-residents under age 16; allows hunting of legal game species.
- Youth Hunting Days – Junior hunters with a valid license can participate in special youth hunting days for bear, deer, spring and fall wild turkey, and migratory waterfowl.
- Hunter Education Requirement – Hunters under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult supervisor who holds or has held a valid hunting license or has completed a hunter education course.
- Apprentice Hunting License – Allows individuals aged 16 and older to hunt without hunter education certification under the supervision of a licensed adult; can be purchased up to two times.
Senior Licenses & Discounts
- Senior Lifetime Hunting License – Available to residents aged 65 and older; provides lifetime hunting privileges.
- Senior Lifetime Combination License – Provides lifetime hunting and fishing privileges for residents aged 65 and older.
- Senior Lifetime License (Age 70+) – Residents aged 70 and older may purchase a senior lifetime license that includes all hunting permits and licenses authorized, as well as one antlerless deer permit and one either-sex permit.
Lifetime Licenses
- Lifetime Hunting License – Available to residents; provides lifetime hunting privileges.
- Lifetime Combination License – Provides lifetime hunting and fishing privileges for residents.
- Junior Lifetime License – Available to residents under age 16; provides lifetime hunting privileges.
Disability & Military Licenses
- Disabled Veteran License – Available to residents and non-residents (if reciprocal privileges exist in their home state) who have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces or the National Guard and have a service-connected disability of 50% or more; provides a complimentary license to fish and hunt.
- Paraplegic Hunting License – A Complimentary license available to paraplegic residents; includes an antlerless deer permit valid in any wildlife management district where antlerless deer permits are allocated.
- Military Exemption – Active-duty military members stationed in Maine and their dependents may purchase resident hunting licenses regardless of residency status. Active-duty military members who are Maine residents but stationed elsewhere and their dependents may purchase a reduced-fee hunting license.
Required Endorsements & Tags
- Deer Permit – Required in addition to a hunting license to hunt deer; specific permits are available for antlerless deer and expanded archery seasons.
- Moose Permit – Required to hunt moose; available through a lottery system.
- Bear Permit – Required to hunt bear; available through a lottery system.
- Turkey Permit – Required to hunt turkeys during spring and fall seasons; permits are unit-specific.
- Migratory Waterfowl Permit – Required to hunt migratory birds; hunters aged 16 and older must also possess a Federal Duck Stamp.
- Expanded Archery Permit – Required to hunt during the expanded archery season in designated areas.
- Crossbow Permit – Required to hunt with a crossbow; available to hunters aged 16 and older who have completed a crossbow education course.
- Muzzleloader Permit – Required to hunt with a muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season.
- Coyote Night Hunting Permit – Required to hunt coyotes at night.
- Pheasant Permit – Required to hunt pheasants in certain areas; an any-deer permit is necessary for deer hunting.
ME Hunting licenses are good from the date of issue to Dec. 31 of the same year. Maine residents and non-residents may be eligible to purchase a lifetime hunting license, ensuring compliance with the state's hunting laws.
Where to buy your Hunting License in Maine
To hunt in Maine, you can buy your license either online through the licensing platform Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Online Licensing or in person through a licensing agent, all listed here: Maine Hunting & Fishing License Agents Directory.
Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Maine:
- L.L.Bean – Freeport, ME Address: 95 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032 Phone: (877) 755-2326
- Kittery Trading Post – Kittery, ME Address: 301 US-1, Kittery, ME 03904 Phone: (207) 439-2700
- Cabela’s – Scarborough, ME Address: 100 Cabela Blvd, Scarborough, ME 04074 Phone: (207) 883-7400
- Dag’s Bait & Sportgoods – Auburn, ME Address: 559 Minot Ave, Auburn, ME 04210 Phone: (207) 783-9409
- Indian Hill Trading Post – Greenville, ME Address: 148 Moosehead Lake Rd, Greenville, ME 04441 Phone: (207) 695-2104
FAQs
Can you take a hunter safety course online in Maine?
Yes, our online hunter's education course is fully online & only 3 hours long. It covers essential hunter safety education topics, making it one of the most efficient ways to fulfill your requirements.
How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?
Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.
Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Maine?
Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The state of Maine will accept your hunter safety course from any other state as proof.
Can you get a Maine hunting license online?
Yes, our online hunter's education course is fully online & only 3 hours long. It covers essential hunter safety education topics, making it one of the fastest ways to complete your requirements.