WMD 0, Maine

Coastal islands and offshore areas along the Maine coast; habitats include rocky shorelines, salt marshes, spruce-fir thickets, mixed hardwood-conifer woodlands on larger islands, and open blueberry barrens. Topography is generally low and flat to gently rolling. Very limited freshwater and forested upland interior on most islands.

Extremely limited public access. Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS) covers many offshore islands but prohibits most hunting except on designated units like Bois Bubert Island (Milbridge). Some islands are private; a few larger islands may have state-owned parcels. No North Maine Woods access, no State Forest, and no MDIFW WMAs of significance in this zone. Boat or floatplane required to reach most huntable islands.

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No formal any-deer permit subunit assigned to WMD 0. Islands falling administratively within nearby WMDs (e.g., WMD 27 or 29) would follow those districts' any-deer permit rules. Deer populations on many offshore islands are reportedly high with minimal harvest pressure; antlerless permits tied to adjacent mainland WMDs would govern island hunting where applicable.

Deer: archery and firearm seasons follow adjacent mainland WMD rules (typically WMD 27 or 29); island deer herds are often dense but access is the limiting factor. Moose: absent from coastal islands, no permits issued for this zone. Bear: black bear hunting (including baiting, which is legal in Maine) is permitted on select refuge units like Bois Bubert during the firearms deer season only; bears are uncommon on most offshore islands. Turkey: spring and fall turkey seasons do not apply to coastal offshore islands; wild turkeys are not established on Maine's offshore islands. Waterfowl and sea ducks are the primary opportunity for many coastal hunters in this zone.

Untouched deer herds on select offshore islands offer rare low-pressure hunting for hunters willing to navigate the logistical challenge of boat access. Bois Bubert Island (Milbridge) is a rare USFWS-permitted hunting site allowing deer and bear. Waterfowl and sea duck hunting along the coast can be exceptional. Expanded archery opportunities exist on coastal islands within WMD 27.