The 2nd week of bull moose hunting starts Monday

By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff

Moose hunters will hit the woods in several wildlife management zones in Maine on Monday for the second week of bulls-only hunting.

A total of 775 bulls were harvested during the first week of bulls-only hunting during the last full week of September, representing 72 percent of the permits awarded for that week during the state’s annual moose lottery. 

Maine’s annual moose hunt is one of the most competitive hunting lotteries in the state. Maine also has an antlerless deer lottery, but usually has to offer at least second and third options for hunters to purchase the leftover permits.

Maine’s 2024 hunt offered 4,105 permits in the regular drawing. There were more than 72,000 applicants, which included in-state and out-of-state hunters.

The highest success was in Zone 11, where 88 percent of the 25 permit holders filled their tags. Second highest was Zone 5 where 87 percent of the 125 permit holders filled theirs.

No zones were lower than 68 percent, and most were in low- to mid-70s.

The Oct. 14-19 hunting week includes wildlife management districts 1-15, 17-19, 27 and 28.

Turkey, bear and regular archery season for deer are still underway.

Moose hunters must wear one article of solid-colored orange — hats count — until rifle deer season opens, when they will have to wear two articles.

The final regular moose hunting week will be Oct. 28-Nov. 2 for antlerless moose only in zones 1-6 and 8.