Maine
360,000
Est. Whitetail Population
210,000
No. Licenses Sold Annually
$26 and up
Resident hunting license and deer permit
$115 and up
Non-resident hunting license and deer permit
193 2/8"
Taken by Ronnie Cox in Aroostook County in 1965 and currently ranks No. 92 all time.
Record B&C Typical Stat
131
Total B&C Typical Entries
259"
Taken by Hill Gould in Washington County in 1910 and currently ranks No. 65 all time.
Record B&C Non-Typical Stat
49
Record B&C Non-Typical Entries
Check out the latest info for Maine. Image by David Brace
Season Dates (2024):
Archery runs Oct. 5 to Nov. 1. The youth deer hunt is Oct. 25-26. Resident-only day is Nov. 2. Firearms season is Nov. 4-30. Statewide muzzleloader season is Dec. 2-7. There are additional expanded archery and muzzleloader opportunities. Please check the MAINE DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE WEBSITE to confirm deer season dates.
The Grade: B
Maine’s deer herd took a hard hit during the late 2000s, but numbers have rebounded dramatically since then, thanks to recent mild winters and good mast crops. In an effort to increase deer numbers, the MDIFW has also limited most hunters to one antlered deer per season, though antlerless deer permits are available by lottery draw. As trophy potential goes, Maine is something of a sleeper state in the Northeast, with more entries to the B&C record books than either Pennsylvania or New York, both of which have larger deer herds and far more hunters.
Antler Nation Knowledge:
If you’re hunting in Maine, you just might fill your freezer with a true North Woods giant. Mature bucks in the state regularly tip the scales at 300-plus pounds, particularly in the northern reaches of the state. Additionally, Maine has a lot of coastal islands with high deer densities and low hunter numbers. Although a boat can be required, the ISLAND OPPORTUNITIES provide a unique experience.
Northern counties such as Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Washington are the top producers for bigger-antlered deer. Maine has a unique tradition of open land access, but you’ll always get a warmer reception and maybe even some insider info if you talk to the landowner first. “Maine is almost all private land, which can make it intimidating to find a hunting spot,” said Nathan Bieber, deer specialist with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “While we do have an open-access tradition for unposted lands, it’s always going to be best to get permission to hunt on any private lands. Most landowners are going to be very happy you took the time to ask. You do need to add some door knocking or phone calls to your scouting routine, but you should be able to find many private parcels to hunt this way.”
