Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Official page of the Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and the Maine Warden Service Please consider this when creating posts and comments. Keep it legal.

Welcome to the Official page for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife! This page is dedicated to promoting hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and enjoying the Maine outdoors as well as sharing information about MDIFW programs and initiatives. If you're looking for the official source of information about MDIFW, please visit our homepage at: www.mefishwildlife.com

Remember

, this page is a family-friendly forum enjoyed by individuals of all ages. All posts and comments must comply with the MDIFW rules for posting and must meet the requirements below. Use appropriate language. Please do not use profanity or crude language. Comments or posts that are graphic, obscene, explicit, abusive, hateful, or potentially libelous will be removed. Don't get yourself into trouble by defaming others, plotting illegal activities such as poaching, or posting other people's private information. Do not create content of a discriminatory or derogatory nature. Rich debate is important and can be done without being offensive, humiliating, or intimidating based on:
race, ethnicity, nationality, or physical characteristics
gender or sexual orientation
religion or non-religious viewpoints
political opinion
Do not advertise commercial products or services. Advertising includes promotion or endorsements of any financial, commercial, or non-governmental agency. NOTE: MDIFW will permanently remove fans who violate these rules. We do our best to keep up with correspondence on our page, but MDIFW does not have the staff resources to always respond to individual posts. For detailed information about fish and wildlife topics, please visit our website or contact us at (207) 287-8000 Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. Comments submitted on the MDIFW page are considered public records and are subject to public disclosure. If you post comments on the MDIFW page, you are responsible for any information contained in your comments. You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username, and any information provided. We reserve the right to remove any post, comment, photo, video, or link from this page. If you have questions or wish to speak with someone, our contact information is available at: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/about/contact/index.html

Because our page is not monitored 24/7 please remember that if you need immediate assistance from a Maine Game Warden you need to contact your nearest State Police Dispatch center:

Augusta..............................1-800-452-4664
Houlton..............................1-800-924-2261
Bangor................................1-800-432-7381

09/10/2026

Colors. Comfort. Chemistry between you and the Maine outdoors with every cast.

Maine's waters come alive in fall, the ultimate crossover season when the energy of the woods is matched by the rhythm of rivers and streams. The start of hunting season doesn't have to be the end of fishing season. Fall is your opportunity to have it all in the outdoors.

Find a place to fish, review regulations, and get your license through our mobile app, ME Outdoors or at mefishwildlife.com/fish.

For many hunters, a moose permit is more than a tag—it's years of anticipation, preparation, and the chance to take part...
09/09/2026

For many hunters, a moose permit is more than a tag—it's years of anticipation, preparation, and the chance to take part in one of Maine's most cherished outdoor traditions. 🫎

To help commemorate this special season, we're pleased to offer official 2026 Maine Moose Hunt apparel.

📅 Order by September 20, 2026
📦 Delivery in approximately 4–6 weeks after the store closes

Whether you're wearing it at camp, around town, or years from now while sharing stories from your hunt, this apparel is a great way to celebrate your place in Maine's moose hunting tradition.

Browse the store: https://www.promoplace.com/moosehunt2026

Register now for the Maine Bird Atlas Final Presentation! Wednesday, September 16th at 7:00 pm (EDT). Link to register...
09/08/2026

Register now for the Maine Bird Atlas Final Presentation!
Wednesday, September 16th at 7:00 pm (EDT).
Link to register: https://maineaudubon.org/events/maine-bird-atlas-final-presentation-online/
This online presentation will highlight the most significant findings from the Maine Bird Atlas, give context for why the Atlas matters, share volunteer stories, and discuss range shifts, population estimates, research beyond the Atlas, archiving Atlas data, and more!

ATLAS PREORDERS:
Preorders for the Atlas will open at 8:30pm following the final Atlas presentation on September 16th, but you are not required to attend the presentation to place an order.

The Atlas will be available to preorder from the 5 collaborating organizations and publisher:
- Maine Natural History Observatory (https://mainenaturalhistory.org/product/maine-bird-atlas-book/)
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/maine-bird-atlas/index.html)
- Maine Audubon (https://maineaudubon.org/naturalist/)
- Biodiversity Research Institute (https://briwildlife.org/maine-bird-atlas/)
- University of Maine Press (https://umaine.edu/umpress/catalog/)

Choose which organization you want to support by ordering from them directly.

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The process of preparing the Maine Bird Atlas for publication has been a long road, and wouldn't have been possible without the hard work of many! The Atlas authors spent 3 intensive years checking and interpreting all the data, designing the book layout, producing over 800 detailed maps, and writing the species accounts for the over 300 breeding and wintering bird species in Maine. The Maine Bird Atlas was a collaborative effort directed and funded by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, with coordination, editing, and publication led by Maine Natural History Observatory in partnership with Maine Audubon and Biodiversity Research Institute. The Atlas is not only a bird book, it represents the largest natural history collaboration and statewide resource assessment ever undertaken in Maine.

Front cover art: Jada Fitch (Jada Fitch Illustration)
Back cover art: Michael Boardman (Coyote Graphics)

Don't let the deadline sneak up on you!You have until this Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 11:59PM to claim the antlerle...
09/08/2026

Don't let the deadline sneak up on you!

You have until this Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 11:59PM to claim the antlerless deer permit you received through the lottery.

Cross it off your to-do list and lock in your season at deer.informe.org

Less waste. Better taste. Ready to maximize your harvest?The hunt is just the first step toward putting healthy, free-ra...
09/06/2026

Less waste. Better taste. Ready to maximize your harvest?

The hunt is just the first step toward putting healthy, free-range, lean protein on your plate. Deer processing can feel daunting, but sharpening your skills will result in higher efficiency and yield, better quality cuts, and delicious table fare.

We've partnered with Sabattus Deer Processing to teach the skills you need to get from field to fork. In a three-hour workshop, they'll demonstrate every detail done right. You'll learn handling, processing, preparation, and cooking techniques.

Space is limited so sign up soon for one of four sessions offered this month: https://deerprocessing.eventbrite.com

📅Sunday, September 13
9am to noon OR 1pm to 4pm

📅Sunday, September 20
9am to noon OR 1pm to 4pm

Maine wildlife is free to roam the Maine woods, and Mainers are lucky to experience that privilege too thanks to private...
09/06/2026

Maine wildlife is free to roam the Maine woods, and Mainers are lucky to experience that privilege too thanks to private landowners who keep their gates open to millions of acres. But that privilege is not guaranteed, and needs to be protected.

Maine law says if land is not posted, it is legal to use. But Maine's unwritten rule says ALWAYS ask permission. Whether or not there are signs asking you to do so, getting permission before accessing land builds trust and preserves future access.

Trespassing, littering, and property damage are some of the main reasons why land gets posted. Find the top seven ways to be a good land user and protect your freedom to explore Maine at mefishwildlife.com/outdoorpartners.

Buckle your helmet and leave the pavement behind. Labor Day weekend is an epic time to ride!Generous private landowners ...
09/05/2026

Buckle your helmet and leave the pavement behind. Labor Day weekend is an epic time to ride!

Generous private landowners and dedicated ATV clubs are the reason riders get to explore more in Maine. Trail access, maps, maintenance, emergency assistance - and all they ask in return is that you ride with respect.

⬆️ Stay on marked trails and respect closures. Not all snowmobile trails are ATV trails.
➡️ Ride right at an appropriate speed and never drink and ride.
🚗 Tread lightly to protect trails for the future, and carry out all trash.
😎 Share the space on multi-use trails and slow down by camps to reduce dust.
✅ Get registered, respect size restrictions, and follow the law on modified exhausts.

Keep the rubber side down, thank a landowner, follow the law, support a club, and have fun out there!

Peace of mind is knowing that yourself, your family, and Maine’s natural resources are all protected. From the first cli...
09/05/2026

Peace of mind is knowing that yourself, your family, and Maine’s natural resources are all protected. From the first click of your life jacket to the last drop of water drained from your boat this summer, smart everyday choices help safeguard what matters most.

🚤 Be Prepared and Boat Responsibly
Wear your life jacket and an engine cutoff switch, stay alert, keep speeds reasonable, never drink and boat, watch the weather, and always tell someone where you are going and when you'll return. mefishwildlife.com/boat

🩵 Take Care of Maine’s Waters
Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by cleaning, draining, and drying your boat and equipment. Every water. Every time. mefishwildlife.com/cdd

As the sun sets on another summer, our Game Wardens are proud to partner with boaters who go .

Challenge yourself as the seasons change! Embrace your outdoorsy side at our next Outdoor Skills Day coming up on Sunday...
09/04/2026

Challenge yourself as the seasons change!

Embrace your outdoorsy side at our next Outdoor Skills Day coming up on Sunday, September 20 at Camp Beech Cliff. Workshops are taught by registered Maine guides, master naturalists, biologists, and professional outdoor educators to help you get a great start in the Maine Outdoors. Choose your own adventure:

🏹 Intro to Archery
🦃 Learn to Hunt
🎣 Intro to Casting and Fishing
🌲 Reading the Forested Landscape
🛶 Exploring Lake Ecology
🚴‍♂️Adventure Cycling

Register and choose your workshops here: https://www.campbeechcliff.org/adultskills

Address

353 Water Street
Augusta, ME
04330

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

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