mefishwildlife.com

With millions of acres of extraordinary land, there is plenty of opportunity to hunt.

Here in Maine, you have two options: private land or public land. Here are a few tips on how to find where you may want to hunt and how to be a good land user to continue access for generations to come. 

Accessing private land: there's the law, and then there's the unwritten rule.

The law - Unlike most other states, Maine operates under an implied permission structure, meaning that if land is not posted, it is legal to use the land.

The unwritten rule - Always ask permission. Hunting, fishing, or otherwise using private land without the owner's permission is a careless move that puts everyone's future access at risk.

When venturing into the Maine woods, follow the unwritten rule.

Here are 7 ways to be a good private land user:

1. Always ask for permission, whether or not there are signs on the property requesting that you do so, and regardless of who owns it (a private individual or a business). If you don’t know who the landowner is, use your resources and you will be surprised at how easy it is to find out:
   1. Contact the town office to determine the name of the landowner(s).
   2. Look up the person or business's contact information online and give them a call.
   When mapping out where you'd like to go, keep in mind that railroad and utility corridors are not public rights of way and still require landowner permission. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to landowners who have posted their land. You may be pleasantly surprised at how many of them will allow access to someone who has the courtesy to ask first.
   
   
2. Learn what matters most to the landowner and abide by all special requests they make. Make sure you ask: 
   
   • Where you can or cannot drive or park a vehicle.
   • What specific activities are allowed. Just because you can hunt there does not mean you have permission to place a treestand, game camera, or cut a shooting lane. Always ask first and be specific with your request(s)!
   • About specific seasons. For example, landowners may allow you to hunt deer, but not wild turkeys in the spring.
   • And if your friend or hunting partners want to come along, they need to get landowner permission too.
     
     Some landowners may require permits for certain activities. If so, respect that request. Look at any such requests from the landowner's point of view, and act with their best interests in mind whenever you use the land. Some landowners dread various seasons of the year, believing the associated activities limit their use of their own property. It's your job to make sure whoever owns the land you're using never feels that way. If we as a recreational community can't respect landowners' wishes, we can only expect more private land to be closed to public use.
     
     
3. Provide detailed information. If requested, give the landowner your name, address, phone number and vehicle description, and consider using pre-printed Landowner/Land user Courtesy Cards (PDF). Good, thorough communication is a great way to build mutual respect.
   
   
4. Know your boundaries. Learn the geographic property boundaries of the land you have permission to use and stay within them.
   
   
5. Keep it clean. Always leave the land as you found it, if not better. If you see trash that someone else left, pick it up.
   
   
6. Keep it legal. Always obey the law, be safe and ethical, and report any land abuse that you witness. If you see a violation occurring, contact Operation Game Thief at 1(800) ALERT-US [1(800) 253-7887].
   
   
7. Say thank you. 

Find public land to hunt on

MDIFW manages over 10,000 acres throughout the state. The purpose of a Wildlife Management Area is to provide a statewide, ecologically based system of land holdings for the protection and enhancement of important wildlife habitats that also provides opportunity for all types of public recreation, including hunting. There are some rules about hunting WMAs. Click here to find a WMA near you or contact a regional office to learn more.

State Parks are not managed by MDIFW, but some do allow hunting. There are restrictions on some timing, activities, and distance from developed areas. Click here to find a State Park open to hunting and be sure to read the rules for State Parks.   

Public reserved lands offer half million acres managed for recreation, wildlife, and timber. They are open to hunting. Click here to learn more. 

Remember to share the woods. 

When you are hunting you are likely sharing the woods with hikers, horseback riders, snowmobilers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, so be courteous, be responsible, and be respectful! After all, it is exciting that more and more people are finding time to enjoy the Maine outdoors. With millions of acres of land, there is plenty of opportunity for everyone!

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Helpful information

Buy a hunting license or permit online

Plan your hunt

Search Maine's hunting laws

2021-2022 Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits (PDF)

Hunter safety courses

Hunting with nonlead ammunition