WMD 23, Maine
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- WMDs 20–29
- Area
- 935 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 10
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
- 3,881
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 23 is a central Maine district spanning parts of Kennebec, Somerset, and Waldo counties, covering towns like Fairfield, China, Sidney, Madison, Unity, Thorndike, and Albion. It offers some of the best deer hunting in the state — part of the either-sex WMD group (21-25 and 29) where hunters can take a buck or doe without an antlerless permit during firearms season — plus strong turkey numbers, huntable bear populations, and no moose permit allocation. Note: MDIFW issued a do-not-eat advisory for deer taken in Unity, Thorndike, and Albion due to elevated PFAS levels.
Mixed agricultural and forested landscape across central Maine. Habitat includes active and former farmland, field-forest edges, hardwood ridges, wetland drainages, and lowland softwood stands. The Waldo County portion features rolling hills and the Mount Frye ridge complex. Belgrade Lakes area on the western edge provides lake and marsh habitat. Deer density is high relative to northern Maine WMDs due to favorable wintering habitat and forest fragmentation from farm fields.
moderate-high
WMD 23 is part of the either-sex antlerless group (WMDs 21-25 and 29) — hunters may harvest one deer of either sex (antlered or antlerless) under their big game license during firearms and muzzleloader seasons without an additional antlerless permit. To harvest both an antlered and an antlerless deer, a separate antlerless deer permit is required. Antlerless harvest is also permitted statewide during regular archery and youth hunt seasons without a permit. Expanded archery season (Sep-Dec) available in designated towns with permit.
DEER: Firearms Nov 2-28; Muzzleloader Dec 7-12 (extended); Regular Archery Oct 3-30; Expanded Archery Sep 12-Dec 12 (permit, designated areas); Youth Hunt Oct 23-24. Either-sex without antlerless permit during firearms/muzzleloader. 1 antlered deer per year; additional antlerless requires permit. PFAS advisory for Unity, Thorndike, Albion deer. TURKEY: Fall season Sep 14-Nov 7, bag limit 5 birds (WMDs 15-17, 20-25 group); Spring season May 3-Jun 5 (2027 dates), 2 bearded birds (WMDs 9-29 group); Youth Fall Turkey Day Sep 12. BEAR: General season Aug 31-Nov 28; baiting legal Aug 31-Sep 26 (bait may be placed Aug 1); 2 bears per year. MOOSE: No moose permit zone — WMD 23 is not included in any moose permit allocation.
One of Maine's best-producing deer WMDs with either-sex opportunity built into the base license — no antlerless permit lottery required. Strong wild turkey population with a generous fall bag limit of 5 birds (Sept 14 - Nov 7) and spring season (May-June, 2 bearded birds). Black bear present and huntable with bait (baiting runs Aug 1 - Sept 26, general season Aug 31 - Nov 28). Frye Mountain WMA provides 5,200+ acres of quality mixed-habitat public land. PFAS do-not-eat advisory in effect for deer from Unity, Thorndike, and Albion.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMD 23— 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.
Nothing posted yet about WMD 23.
Be the first — ask a question (“Best public access on the north end?”) or share a tip (“Glass the burn scars off the main ridge at first light”).
Boundaries: MDIFW official Wildlife Management Districts. Community info last updated 23d ago.