Hunting License in Maine - Steps to Buy in ME

David Harrison  ·  Updated on May 18, 2025

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Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Maine hunting license:


ME Hunter Education Certification

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.

We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online, and your hunter education certificate is accepted by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for use in Maine for ME residents and non-residents alike.

After completing the Hunter Ed course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to the state. The state will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card). 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 – 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: