Maine Shooting Hours
30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset under Maine default rule, plus 3 species-specific exceptions.
Maine Shooting Hours
3 Maine species (Deer, Moose, Turkey) carry rules that depart from the statewide default.
Maine shooting-hours quirks
The ME-specific timing details that the standard half-hour rule doesn't capture
High-latitude state. November sunset drops fast — a clear-sky 4:15 PM sunset in northern Maine pulls the legal end-of-day to 4:45 PM, which matters when the moose still has to be quartered and packed before dark.
Maine Shooting Hours Rules
Codified by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
- Default Shooting Hours
- 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
- Species with Special Rules
-
- Deer: 30min before to 30min after
- Moose: 30min before to 30min after
- Turkey: 30min before to 0min after
- Wildlife Agency
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Confirm with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife before each hunt — ME reissues regulations annually.
Last verified: January 2026
Run the Maine shooting hours calculator
The interactive calculator lives on the main tool page. It will pre-load with Maine (ME) and apply the 30 minutes/30 minutes default rule plus any species exceptions.
Maine species exceptions
3 species depart from the default rule
| Species | Legal Start | Legal End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default (Most Game) | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | Standard rule |
| Deer | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | - |
| Moose | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | - |
| Turkey | 30 minutes before sunrise | Sunset | - |
Maine Shooting Hours FAQ
Specific questions about legal hunting times in Maine.
What are the legal shooting hours in Maine?
In Maine, legal shooting hours for most game are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. However, specific species may have different rules - always check the species-specific regulations before hunting.
Do shooting hours vary by species in Maine?
Yes, Maine has different shooting hours for certain species. For example: Deer (30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset); Moose (30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset); Turkey (30 min before sunrise to 0 min after sunset). Always verify specific rules for your target species.
Where can I find official Maine hunting regulations?
Official hunting regulations for Maine can be found at the state wildlife agency website. Visit the official source for the most up-to-date information on shooting hours, seasons, and bag limits.
Do I need to adjust shooting hours for Daylight Saving Time in Maine?
No, our calculator automatically accounts for Daylight Saving Time based on your selected date. The times shown are in Maine's local time zone.
Are there special considerations for hunting in Maine?
High-latitude state. November sunset drops fast — a clear-sky 4:15 PM sunset in northern Maine pulls the legal end-of-day to 4:45 PM, which matters when the moose still has to be quartered and packed before dark.
Background reading: how shooting hours are defined · general FAQ.
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