Unleash the Wild: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2024-2025 Maine Hunting Seasons

Maine hunting laws 2024–2025 overview showing deer, moose, bear, and small game seasons in a Maine wilderness setting near Moosehead Lake

Unleash the Wild: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2024-2025 Maine Hunting Seasons

Are you ready to trade the ordinary for a high-octane immersion into the rugged soul of the Maine Highlands? At Moose River Lookout, we believe that life is better when you’re exploring the wild. Maine is a technical masterpiece of biodiversity—a “Gold Standard” sanctuary where the absolute mystery of the North Woods meets the adrenaline of the hunt.

With over 17 million acres of forest land, Maine is a premier destination for those who demand world-class game integrity and deep-woods grit. Unearth the premier dates for your 2024-2025 mission, whether you’re tracking a trophy whitetail, a massive bull moose, or a black bear through the pine-scented timber.


🦌 Deer Hunting: The Vertical Payout

Maine’s deer seasons offer a technical variety of opportunities, from the silence of expanded archery to the high-performance firearms season.

  • Expanded Archery: September 7 – December 14, 2024 (Designated areas only).

  • Regular Archery: October 5 – November 1, 2024.

  • Youth Deer Hunt: October 25–26, 2024. A premier sanctuary for introducing the next generation to the hunt.

  • Maine Resident Only Day: November 2, 2024. (Non-residents with 25+ open acres may also qualify).

  • Firearms Season: November 4 – November 30, 2024.

  • Muzzleloader Statewide: December 2 – December 7, 2024.

  • Muzzleloader (WMDs 12, 13, 15-18, 20-26, 29): December 9 – December 14, 2024.

Tactical Note: Antlers must be at least 3 inches long unless you hold a specific antlerless deer permit for your Wildlife Management District (WMD).


🐻 Bear Hunting: Technical Mastery

Maine boasts one of the largest black bear populations in the East. Pursue these elusive predators with grit and focus.

  • Youth Bear Day: August 24, 2024.

  • General Season: August 26 – November 30, 2024.

  • Hunting with Bait: August 26 – September 21, 2024 (Baiting permitted starting July 27).

  • Bear Trapping: September 1 – October 31, 2024.

  • Hunting with Dogs: September 9 – November 1, 2024.

  • Bag Limit: 2 bears per year (1 by hunting, 1 by trapping).


🫎 Moose Hunting: The Elite Mission

Moose hunting in Maine is the “Gold Standard” of North American big game—a once-in-a-lifetime vertical payout. These hunts are strictly by permit only via the annual lottery.

  • Bull-Only (WMDs 1-6, 10, 11, 18, 19, 27, 28): September 23 – September 28, 2024.

  • Bull-Only (WMDs 1-15, 17-19, 27, 28): October 14 – October 19, 2024.

  • Antlerless-Only (WMDs 1-6, 8): October 28 – November 2, 2024.

  • Adaptive Unit (WMD 4A): Multiple sessions spanning October 21 – November 9, 2024.


🦆 Birds & Small Game: High-Energy Wingshooting

Don’t overlook the high-octane action of Maine’s upland and migratory bird seasons:

  • Ruffed Grouse & Gray Squirrel: September 28 – December 31, 2024.

  • American Woodcock: September 28 – November 19, 2024.

  • Pheasant: September 28 – December 31, 2024.

  • Waterfowl: Seasons vary by zone (North, South, Coastal). Visit Maine.gov/ifw for technical zone maps.


📍 Plan Your Expedition: Technical Provisions


🏠 Your Sanctuary in the Wild: Moose River Lookout

While you unearth the mysteries of the Maine wilderness, ensure your basecamp is as legendary as your adventure. Moose River Lookout in Rockwood is the premier destination for explorers navigating the Greenville, Rockwood, and Jackman corridors.

Why Choose Our Rockwood Hub?

  • Direct Access: Ideally situated with backyard entry to ITS 66 for world-class ATV and snowmobile missions.

  • Riverfront Integrity: Features a private dock on the Moose River at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains—a prime spot for morning moose sightings right from your porch.

  • The Ultimate Basecamp: Centrally located to explore the absolute best of Maine’s North Woods.

Book Your Stay Today and discover why life is better at the lake!

  • Phone: 800-544-0300

  • Email: [email protected]

  • Address: 4054 Rockwood Rd, Rockwood, ME 04478


Writer: Gerry Caron | Original Date: October 16, 2024 | Updated: October 25, 2024 Stay updated with the latest happenings at the Moosehead News.

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