Maine

Centerfire rifles of any caliber firing expanding ammunition are legal for deer, moose, and black bear during the firearms season. Semiautomatic rifles are limited to a maximum magazine capacity of 5 rounds. Recommended .30-06, .308 Win, or .35 Whelen for trophy bull moose in the North Maine Woods. Suppressors legal with ATF compliance. FMJ prohibited.

Minimum .40 caliber single-barrel muzzleloaders. Modern in-line muzzleloaders with 209 primers, sabots, and magnifying scopes are fully legal during the dedicated statewide muzzleloader season following Thanksgiving. Black powder or commercial synthetic powders only.

Compound, recurve, and longbows with minimum 35 lb draw weight. Broadheads must have minimum 7/8-inch cutting width. Fixed and mechanical broadheads legal. Maine offers a regular statewide archery season and an Expanded Archery Season in suburban coastal areas with liberal doe tags.

Fully legal for ALL licensed hunters during the regular firearms season, muzzleloader season, and archery seasons under Maine's comprehensive crossbow framework. Minimum 100 lb draw weight with working mechanical safety and broadheads meeting big game standards.

Centerfire handguns .24 caliber or larger with expanding bullets are legal for big game. .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and 10mm Auto widely carried for moose tracking and black bear defense in the sprawling commercial timberlands of Aroostook County.

10, 12, 16, and 20 gauge shotguns firing single slugs or buckshot (#00 or larger) legal for deer. 3-shell capacity limit. Non-toxic shot strictly required for sea ducks and waterfowl across Merrymeeting Bay and coastal rocky bays.