Maine has some of the greatest hunting possibilities in the nation, with an estimated 60,000 or more turkeys. The state’s varied geography and diversified sceneries provide hunters a uniquely challenging experience. On this page, we’ll go over all you need to know, including the hunt dates, rules, license requirements, and other crucial details for a productive hunt.
Maine Turkey Season
Spring Hunt
| WMD Zones | Dates | Limits |
| 7 and 9-29 | 29-Apr – 1-Jun | 2 bearded |
| 1-6 and 8 | 1 bearded |
Fall Hunt
| WMD Zones | Dates | Limits |
| 6-8, 10-14, 18, 19, 27 & 29 | 16-Sep – 7-Nov | 1 bearded |
| 28 | 2 bearded | |
| 26 | 3 bearded | |
| 15-17, 20-25 | 5 bearded |
Youth Days
| Spring | 27-Apr | Can take 2 bearded birds from WMDs with a 2-bird restriction. |
| Fall | 14-Sep |
Turkey Licenses
| Combination Spring/Fall Wild Turkey Permit | Available for $20 + agent fee |
| Junior Hunter Exemption | Exempt from $20 permit fee |
| Hunters over the age of 70 | Exempt from $20 permit fee |
Note: For a complete list of Licenses, you review the Maine Department of Fisheries & Wildlife website.
Hunting Regulations
- A large game rifle or archery license are allowed. Small game hunters with spring/fall permits may hunt. They must observe seasonal and location-specific bag limitations.
- Allow private landowners to hunt without a permit if they own 25 contiguous acres within the designated game zone, are permanently domiciled on the land, manage the land for raising and selling dairy or beef cattle, and allow hunting by permission only. Permanently resident family members may hunt without a permit. Landowners must prove eligibility if asked. The Wildlife Management District’s bag limit is 2 bearded bird in spring and 5 of either sex in fall. Reporting and tagging are still required.
- Except in the fall, dogs cannot be utilized. Organized drives, baiting, trapping, and shooting turkeys in trees are prohibited. Unlawfully killed or hunted turkeys cannot be registered in closed WMDs. All component must be labeled with the hunter’s name, address, and registration year. Except for lawfully capture plumage, purchasing, selling, offering for sale, or bartering is forbidden. Pursuing or registering more than two birds in spring or five in fall is prohibited.
- MDIFW and the University of Maine are studying wild turkey population dynamics. For this investigation, the agency has leg bands, wing tags, and radio transmitters on many birds around the state. Hunters must report with leg bands or radio transmitters. Hunters may retain leg bands and wing tags but must report them to MDIFW. MDIFW must receive all radio transmissions. Registration costs $2.
- Allow hunting from 30 minutes before dawn to 30 minutes after dusk.
- Requires a large or small game hunting license and a $20 wild turkey permit. Permits are free for junior hunters and those over 70. The hunter must always carry their permits and licenses. Those without guns, archery, or crossbow gear may help hunt without a license.
- May use firearms, bows, and crossbows. Shotgun gauges 10 through 20 may utilize shot sizes 4 through 6 or blended loads with 4 through 7, whereas shotgun gauges 10 through 28 and.410 can use Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) shot sizes 7 through 9. Shotgun hunting requires a large or small game license and a permit. Bow-and-arrow hunting requires a permit and archery license. Spring hunters may use crossbows with a valid large or small game firearms license, archery license, turkey and crossbow permit. Spring turkey season bans dogs but allows electronic calling devices.
- Harvested in the fall do not require to be registered or labeled for shipment. Spring game must be registered and labeled for shipment. This law applies to spring-harvested bird shot, arrowed, or crossbow.
- Spring allows shotguns in gauges 10 through 20 with shot sizes 4 through 6, mixed loads, or gauges 10 through 28 and.410 with Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) shot sizes 7 through 9. Shotguns need hunting licenses and permits. A crossbow may be used with either a large or small game weapons license or an archery license, a permit, and crossbow permission. Electronic calling devices are permitted, but spring dogs are not.
- Fall allows shotguns in gauges 10 through 20 with shot sizes 4 through 6, mixed loads with shot sizes 4 through 7, or gauges 10 through 28 and.410 with shot sizes 7 through 9. Shotgun users must have a hunting license and turkey permission, while crossbow users must be 65 or older or have a disability permit. Dogs are permitted to hunt in fall , and electronic calling devices are permissible. Hunters should be careful in the fall since it’s different from “sit and call.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Maine Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season 2024?
Beginning on April 29 and concluding on June 1 of 2024.
How many turkeys can hunters take during the Spring in Maine?
Two bearded birds are allowed in the bag for hunters in WMD 7 and 9-29, while just one bearded turkey is allowed in districts 1-6 and 8.
When is the Youth Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Day 2024?
The 2024 Youth Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Day is April 27. The bag limit is two bearded birds from WMDs with a 2-bird restriction. On September 14, a Youth Fall Day will also have a one-bearded bird bag limit.
Can hunters self-register their wild turkey harvest online in Maine ?
Yes, hunters can now self-register their wild turkeys online or at a registration station.
Jacob Ross is a passionate outdoor enthusiast and skilled turkey hunter who is committed to sharing his love of the outdoors via interesting writing and helpful advice. Jacob's years of field experience and in-depth knowledge of turkey behavior allow him to contribute to readers' hunting knowledge on TurkeySeason.org.
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