WMD 26, Maine
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear, Moose
- Group
- WMDs 20–29
- Area
- 1,119 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 74
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
- 3,434
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, Moose also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedMaine WMD 26 (Penobscot Bay Area) covers the Knox and Lincoln county mainland peninsulas and major causeway-connected islands including Deer Isle/Stonington and Mount Desert Island. It offers solid deer hunting with archery and an extended muzzleloader season, healthy wild turkey populations in both spring and fall, and legal bear hunting including baiting, while moose permits are not issued in this southern coastal district.
Midcoast peninsulas, saltwater estuaries, rocky shoreline, mixed hardwood-softwood forest, and a mix of working farmland and second-growth timber. Includes the mainland portions of Knox and Lincoln counties plus causeway-connected islands (Deer Isle/Stonington, Mount Desert Island, Verona Island). Elevation is low with heavily fragmented habitat typical of coastal Maine.
moderate
Antlered deer only during firearms season without a permit. Any-deer (antlerless) permits are available by lottery through MDIFW — allocations vary by subunit within WMD 26 and are posted in August. During regular archery season, hunters may take one antlered or antlerless deer statewide under their big game license. An expanded archery season extends from early September through mid-December. Extended muzzleloader season applies to WMD 26 (typically first two weeks of December).
DEER: Archery season ~Oct 4-Oct 31 (regular), expanded archery Sept through mid-Dec; firearms season ~Nov; muzzleloader and extended muzzleloader through mid-Dec. Antlered only during firearms unless holding antlerless permit. MOOSE: No permits issued in WMD 26 — not a viable moose hunting zone. TURKEY: Spring season ~May 4-June 6, limit 2 bearded birds; Fall season ~Sept 14-Nov 7, limit 3 birds. Strong turkey numbers in midcoast farmland edge habitat. BEAR: Season opens late August (youth days Aug 28-29, general Aug 31). Baiting, trapping, and hunting over bait are all legal in Maine. WMD 26 has some bear activity in wooded interior areas though densities are lower than northern Maine.
The midcoast peninsula and island geography creates diverse hunting environments. Turkey hunting is a genuine strength — both spring (May-June, 2 bearded birds) and fall (mid-September through early November, up to 3 birds) seasons are available. Deer hunting on the islands and peninsulas can produce quality bucks with limited competition in remote areas. Bear hunting with bait is legal beginning late August. Waterfowl hunting along tidal estuaries is also excellent for those who want variety.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMD 26— 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 26.
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Boundaries: MDIFW official Wildlife Management Districts. Community info last updated 23d ago.