Here are Maine’s 2026 moose permit numbers by hunting zone

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has set the number of moose permits for each wildlife management district for the 2026 hunt. The permit allocations were finalized Wednesday in a rule filed with the secretary of state.

One notable change is the removal of the adaptive hunt unit in Wildlife Management District 4. Last year, 1,050 permits were issued in WMD 4, including 550 allocated across three hunt weeks in the adaptive hunt unit as part of a research project studying moose density and winter tick impacts.

For 2026, the adaptive hunt unit has been eliminated and WMD 4 will return to the regular hunt structure, with 400 antlered permits and 250 antlerless permits allocated in the district.

A total of 3,705 permits will be issued statewide, including 2,645 antlered and 1,060 antlerless permits. The hunting seasons are scheduled for Sept. 28 to Oct. 3 for the first bull hunt, Oct. 12 to Oct. 17 for the second bull hunt and Oct. 26 to Oct. 31 for the antlerless hunt.

The department adjusts the number of annual moose permits in each wildlife management district using data on the state’s herd, including helicopter surveys that estimate moose numbers and herd composition, hunter success rates, reproduction rates and the ages of moose harvested in the previous season.

The department has proposed adding a September bull moose hunt in Wildlife Management Districts 7–9, 12–15 and 17. The proposal drew strong opposition from businesses and residents in the Moosehead Lake region. The issue has not yet been finalized and is expected to come before the IFW Advisory Council at a future meeting.

The state will begin accepting moose permit applications April 1 through its online system. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. May 18.

The annual moose permit drawing will take place June 20 at the Acton Fairgrounds in Acton.