Maine Bird Hunting
Seasons Span September 28 – December 31, 2025
State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.
Season Dates
- Ruffed Grouse & Bobwhite Quail: September 27, 2025 – December 31, 2025
- Pheasant: September 27, 2025 – December 31, 2025
- Woodcock: September 27, 2025 – November 18, 2025
- Common Snipe: September 2, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Required Licenses and Costs
- Resident Licenses:
- Small Game Hunting (16+): $15
- Big Game Hunting (includes small game, 16+): $26
- Archery (16+): $26
- Junior (under 16): $8
- Lifetime Hunting (65+): $8 (one-time fee)
- Non-Resident Licenses:
- Small Game Hunting (16+): $75
- Big Game Hunting (includes small game, 16+): $115
- Archery (16+): $75
- Junior (under 16): $35
- 3-Day Small Game: $47
- Additional Permits:
- Pheasant Permit: $27 (required for pheasant hunting)
- State Migratory Waterfowl Permit: $7.50 (required for waterfowl, including snipe, rails, and gallinules)
- Federal Migratory Bird Stamp: Required for hunters 16+ for migratory game birds (cost not specified in sources)
- Notes:
- Licenses can be purchased online at mefishwildlife.com or through approved agents (e.g., sporting goods shops, municipal offices).
- Hunters born after January 1, 1976, must show proof of hunter safety course completion.
- Sunday hunting is prohibited in Maine.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits
- Ruffed Grouse: 4 daily, 8 possession
- Bobwhite Quail: 4 daily, 8 possession
- Pheasant: 2 daily, 4 possession
- Woodcock: 3 daily, 9 possession
- Common Snipe: 8 daily, 24 possession
Additional Notes
- Closed Species: No hunting is allowed for spruce grouse, lynx, or cottontail rabbit.
- Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs): Seasons and limits apply statewide unless specified by WMD. Check MDIFW maps for specific boundaries.
- Regulations: Hunters must wear blaze orange during overlapping firearms seasons (e.g., deer season) and follow ethical hunting practices, including reporting harvests as required. For migratory birds, nontoxic shot is mandatory statewide.
For the most up-to-date information, consult the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) website at mefishwildlife.com or contact their office at 207-287-8000.
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Musher’s Secret
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Garmin Fenix 3 and VIRB XE
To list all the features of this duo in a gift guide is daunting. Garmin used to be known simply for preventing hunters from getting lost. But it seems they are doubling down on their commitment to outdoorsman offering wearables, cameras and sporting dog gear. They are becoming an outdoor brand. The Fenix 3 ($400) hasn’t left my wrist…
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Mud River Duffel and Crate Cushion
My mom always told me to invest in nice luggage, well, that goes for toting your hunting gear, also. My Mud River Rolling Duffel ($192) has been to Africa, Saskatchewan, and multiple states in the US, and still looks as good as the day I bought it. The hard-sided bottom adds an extra measure of protection, as well…
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Mud River Feed & Retrieve Dog Food Bucket
When we’re on a long a hunt, I like to custom blend dog foods to increase the fat and protein content of our normal food. The structure of the Feed & Retrieve prevents it from tipping or spilling while I mix foods to match the calorie burns of hard working dogs. As food is consumed…
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