WMD 18, Maine
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Moose, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- WMDs 10–19
- Area
- 1,318 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Moose — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 26
Draw odds for Moosearen't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 186
Draw odds for Black Beararen't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 798
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Season & harvest data is published for Moose, Black Bear, White-tailed Deer so far. Deer, Turkey, Bear also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedMaine WMD 18, the Mid-Penobscot River Valley, covers a large transitional district in Penobscot County anchored by the Penobscot River corridor and extending east through Lincoln, Lee, Winn, and Howland into vast spruce-fir and mixed commercial timberlands. Deer hunting is productive with 525 antlerless permits available annually, moose are present with 40 bull-only permits issued for 2026, and fall turkey hunting is open with a 1-bird bag limit, making it a well-rounded destination for Maine big game hunters.
Rolling Penobscot River Valley transitioning north and east into large commercial spruce-fir and mixed hardwood-softwood timberlands. The southern portion around Old Town, Bradley, Milford, and Howland features river bottomlands, beaver flowages, and second-growth mixed forest. Moving northeast toward Lincoln, Lee, and Winn the terrain becomes increasingly remote boreal forest with extensive clear-cut regeneration areas, bog edges, and stream drainages — classic Maine deer and moose habitat. Elevations are modest but the landscape is roadless in large sections.
low to moderate
525 antlerless deer permits allocated for WMD 18 in 2026 via the MDIFW lottery (application in June, drawing in August, $12 permit fee). Firearm season runs November 2-28, 2026 statewide; archery October 3-30; muzzleloader November 30-December 5 with extended WMD 18 season December 7-12. One antlered deer per year statewide; antlerless requires permit. Maine Resident Only Day is October 31.
DEER: Productive mixed-forest deer habitat in river drainages and regenerating cuts; 525 antlerless permits signals a healthy harvestable population. Firearm season Nov 2-28; archery Oct 3-30; muzzleloader Nov 30-Dec 12 (extended). MOOSE: Bull-only zone, 40 permits for 2026 across two seasons (late Sept and mid-Oct). Apply in spring lottery. BEAR: Statewide season Aug 31-Nov 28; baiting legal from Aug 1, dogs legal Sept 14-Oct 30; youth days Aug 28-29. No WMD-specific restrictions. TURKEY: Fall season Sept 14-Nov 7, 2026 with 1-bird bag limit for WMD 18 (listed in the 1-bird WMDs: 3, 6-8, 10-14, 18, 19, 27, 29). Spring season May 3-June 5, 2027, 1 bearded turkey limit for WMDs 1-6 and 8 (WMD 18 is in the 2-bird spring zone). Turkeys present but not as abundant as southern Maine WMDs.
Accessible transitional zone combining river bottom deer habitat with boreal moose country. Fall turkey hunting open with 1-bird bag limit. Bear hunting legal statewide including baiting (bait set from August 1) and hunting with dogs (season opens September 14). Vast commercial timberlands with road access via Stud Mill Road. Low hunting pressure relative to southern Maine. David Priest WMA provides free dedicated public access.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMD 18— or drop a tip or trick: access points, where game holds, glassing spots, conditions, crowding, gear that worked. This is where the unit's species-specific intel gets built, hunter by hunter.
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Boundaries: MDIFW official Wildlife Management Districts. Community info last updated 23d ago.