Maine
The vast North Maine Woods, high-density trophy moose lottery tags, and classic wilderness black bear tracking.
Maine Regulatory Agency
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) preserves, protects, and enhances inland fisheries and wildlife resources across Maine's 17 million acres of North Woods forests.
Maine is famous for big-woods tracking for heavy body whitetail deer bucks, coveted moose permit lotteries, ruffed grouse hunting, and black bear hunting.
policyMission
To preserve, protect, and enhance inland fisheries and wildlife resources of Maine; and to provide for wise use and enjoyment of these resources.
assignmentResponsibilities
- Administers annual moose permit lottery draw and resident/non-resident hunting licenses
- Manages state Wildlife Management Areas and public access in North Woods forests
- Sets hunting season dates, bag limits, and legal harvest regulations
- Executes big game biological research (moose, bear, whitetail) and habitat projects
- Enforces inland fish and game laws through Maine Game Wardens
starCore Values
- North Woods Heritage: Protecting traditional wilderness hunting and tracking heritage.
- Science Management: Guiding wildlife decisions with empirical research.
- Public Safety: Promoting hunter safety and outdoor education.