Maine's resident-only deer-hunting day falls on Saturday, Oct. 31, followed by the general firearms season from Nov. 2 through Nov. 28.
The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's 2026 deer-hunting rules also list the regular archery season through Oct. 30 and the statewide muzzleloader season from Nov. 30 through Dec. 5. Hunting is prohibited on Sundays.
The resident day has an exception: a nonresident who owns at least 25 acres in Maine, leaves the land open to hunting, has a valid license and is otherwise eligible may hunt that day after completing the state's verification form. The exception permits hunting anywhere in Maine where it is otherwise lawful.
Hunters also need to distinguish an antlered-deer limit from antlerless permits. Antlerless means a deer with no antlers or antlers shorter than 3 inches under the state definition.
For the 2026 firearms and muzzleloader seasons, a big-game license allows one deer of either sex in wildlife management districts 21 through 25 and 29. Other districts have different antlerless requirements. An additional antlerless deer requires the appropriate permit.
A wildlife management district is a state hunting-management area, rather than a county or town boundary. Hunters should check the official district map and the rules for the specific property before heading out.
The state page also identifies closed areas and places with special equipment restrictions. A season date alone does not authorize access to private land or override local restrictions.