Maine Hunting License

How Do I Get My State Hunting License?

Depending on your age, you may be required to have the Hunter Education Firearms Card in order to legally buy a license or permit to hunt.

1. Complete the Maine hunter education certification requirements.
2. Choose the correct license type.
3. Buy the license through the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website or a Maine–approved agent.

Types of Maine Hunting Licenses

Maine Resident

A resident is a person who has lived in Maine for at least one year. Full-time students enrolled in an educational institution in Maine for at least one year may be considered residents. Visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website for more information on residency requirements.

All Maine residents must have a resident hunting license. Additional permits may be required.

Non-Resident

All non-residents must have a non-resident hunting license. Additional permits may be required.

Youth Hunting License

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.

Senior Hunting License

Maine residents age 65 or older may purchase a reduced-fee lifetime hunting license. Maine residents age 70 or older may pay a one-time fee for a lifetime license that includes privileges for hunting, trapping, fishing and archery. Visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website for more details.

Disability License

Maine residents who have lost the use of their lower extremities may be eligible for a free hunting license. Non-residents may be eligible for the free hunting license if their home state extends the same privilege to Maine residents. Visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website for more details.

Military and Veteran License

Active-duty military members who are stationed in Maine and their dependents may purchase a resident hunting license. In addition, active-duty military members who are Maine residents but stationed elsewhere and their dependents may purchase a reduced-fee hunting license. Visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website for more details.

Resident veterans and non-resident veterans from New Hampshire and Vermont who have 50% or more service-connected disability may be eligible for a free hunting license. This license is available only at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife main office in Augusta.

Migratory Waterfowl Requirements

All hunters age 16 or older must purchase the Maine Migratory Waterfowl Permit and the Federal Duck Stamp when hunting migratory waterfowl. Proof of Harvest Information Program (HIP) participation is issued at the same time as the state stamp.

License Expiration

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. Visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website for more details.

Where to Buy a Maine Hunting License

• Visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website.
• Visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife main office in Augusta or an approved license agent.