Maine Moose Hunting Season Opened for 2026

Hunters have tagged 148 bull moose across the state since the season began on Monday.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Hunting

Screen-print poster illustration showing a silhouette of moose antlers against a dense, stylized Maine coniferous forest in autumnal colors. — Maine's 2026 moose hunting season launched this week, with hunters across 16 wildlife management zones working to track bull moose during the peak rutting period. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Maine launched its 2026 moose hunting season this week, with 1,150 bull permits currently active across 16 wildlife management zones. As of Tuesday at noon, hunters had successfully tagged 148 moose.

Why it matters

The hunt is strategically timed to coincide with the moose rut, a period when the animals are more active and easier to track. Hunters are utilizing various methods, including calling and hiking remote terrain, to secure their harvest.

Official reports show 148 moose were tagged across 16 wildlife management zones by Tuesday noon. Notable harvests include an 859-pound bull in Zone 7 and a 713-pound bull from Zone 12, with Flagstaff General Store in Stratton checking 12 specimens.

The players

Flagstaff General Store

This Stratton-based establishment serves as a key local check station for successful hunters to register their harvest.

The details

Participants are navigating remote wooded areas using ATVs and trucks to transport their harvest. Hunters are relying on rutting behavior to lure bulls, with successful tags recorded in zones including 5, 7, 12, and 14.

The Maine moose hunting season officially opened on Monday.
By noon on Tuesday, 148 moose had been tagged by hunters.
The current moose hunting season is scheduled to conclude this Saturday.

Current Conditions
Sept. 25
Maine Has Remained Under Drought Conditions
Current Conditions
Sept. 23
Maine Foliage Color Change Has Emerged
Hunting
Oct. 2
Kristi Noem Participated in Maine Moose Hunt

Roadmap

This hunting season operates within the strict parameters of Maine's wildlife management zone regulatory framework to maintain population stability. Annual permit allocations reflect ongoing efforts to balance recreational hunting interests with state-monitored conservation goals.

Residents and travelers in Maine should anticipate increased traffic on rural roads and near designated check stations like those in Stratton. Hunters must ensure all harvested animals are properly registered at official stations before the season concludes this Saturday.

The takeaway

Successful hunting requires careful preparation and an understanding of the specific rutting behaviors of moose. Enthusiasts planning to participate in future seasons should review local wildlife management zone regulations and permit allocation timelines.