WMD 21, Maine
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- WMDs 20–29
- Area
- 697 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 8
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
- 2,492
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 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 · sourcedWMD 21 (Southwestern Maine Interior – Cumberland County) is one of Maine's most productive deer districts, covering the rural and suburban landscape between the Saco River, Sebago Lake, and the Androscoggin River from Biddeford north to Auburn and east to Brunswick/Freeport. This district offers either-sex deer hunting under a standard license during firearms and muzzleloader seasons, good wild turkey numbers in spring and fall, and a statewide bear season with legal baiting — all within easy reach of southern Maine's population centers. No moose permits are allocated here; this is primarily a deer and turkey district.
Gentle to rolling lowland terrain across Cumberland County, dominated by mixed hardwood-softwood forest interspersed with agricultural fields, wetlands, and suburban/rural development. Key features include the Saco River corridor to the west, Sebago Lake basin in the interior, and the Androscoggin River to the north. Forest cover is primarily northern hardwoods (maple, beech, birch) mixed with white pine and spruce-fir, transitioning to more agricultural lowlands near the coast. Elevation is modest throughout, generally below 500 feet.
moderate to high
WMD 21 is included in the expanded either-sex zone: during firearms and muzzleloader seasons, hunters may take one deer of either sex (antlered or antlerless) under their standard big game license — no antlerless permit required for that first deer. This is a significant advantage for hunters seeking does. Additional antlerless deer require a lottery antlerless permit. Archery season also allows either-sex harvest statewide. WMD 21 is consistently among Maine's higher-harvest districts given its deer density and accessible terrain.
DEER: Archery Sep 12–Dec 12; Firearms Nov 2–28; Muzzleloader Nov 30–Dec 5. Either-sex under standard license during firearms/muzzleloader in WMD 21 (no antlerless permit needed for first deer). Strong deer density for Maine. TURKEY: Spring season May 4–Jun 6 (2 bearded turkeys); Fall season Sep 14–Nov 7 (5 turkeys). Turkey numbers are good in this agricultural/forest mix district. BEAR: General season Aug 31–Nov 28; Youth days Aug 28–29; Baiting legal Aug 31–Sep 26. Two-bear annual limit (one by hunting, one by trapping). Resident permit $10, nonresident $74. MOOSE: No permits allocated for WMD 21 — not a huntable moose district.
One of Maine's best southern deer districts with either-sex firearms season under a standard license. Strong wild turkey population with both spring and fall seasons. Bear hunting runs late August through late November with legal baiting (bait season Aug 31–Sep 26). Proximity to Portland metro means accessible day-hunting opportunities. Sebago Lake area WMAs and the Saco/Androscoggin river corridors provide consistent deer and turkey habitat. Good ruffed grouse and woodcock in early season for upland hunters.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMD 21— 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.