WMD 27, Maine
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Moose, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- WMDs 20–29
- Area
- 2,161 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Moose — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 10
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
- 87
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
- 1,330
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 27 (Eastern Coastal Plain) covers Washington County and coastal Hancock County in Downeast Maine, bordered by the New Brunswick line to the north and the Atlantic coast to the south and east. The district is characterized by spruce bogs, swamps, beaver flowages, blueberry barrens, and extensive industrial timberland laced with gravel logging roads that provide excellent public access. Moose numbers are strong here and the WMD is a designated moose permit zone; deer populations are modest given the northern latitude and deep snow winters, while black bear thrive in the dense forest and agricultural edge habitat.
Low-relief coastal plain dominated by spruce-fir forest, open spruce bogs, swamps, beaver flowages, blueberry barrens, and extensive industrial timberland. Numerous lakes, streams, and tidal drainages. Logging roads provide easy vehicle access throughout most of the district.
low to moderate
Antlerless deer permits are available in WMD 27 (approximately 405 permits allocated for 2026). An antlerless permit is required to harvest a doe or fawn during firearm and muzzleloader seasons; antlerless deer may be taken without a permit during Regular Archery season statewide. WMD 27 is NOT an either-sex free-take zone (those are WMDs 21-25 and 29). Deer densities are lower than southern Maine due to harsh winters and deep snow; hunting is best in forest edge, clearcuts, and agricultural blueberry fields.
DEER: Firearms season Nov 2-28; Regular Archery Oct 3-30; Muzzleloader Nov 30-Dec 5 (extended Dec 7-12 with special permit). Antlerless permit required for does. Blaze orange mandatory during firearms. MOOSE: Permit-only lottery, bull-only seasons late Sept and mid-Oct in WMDs 27/28 combined zone. 1 moose per year limit. BEAR: General season Aug 31-Nov 28; baiting legal Aug 31-Sept 26; hunting with dogs Sept 14-Oct 30. 2 bears/year limit (1 by hunting, 1 by trapping). TURKEY (Fall): Sept 14-Nov 7, 2026; 1-bird bag limit in WMD 27. TURKEY (Spring): May 3-June 5, 2027; 2-bird bag limit. WMD 27 is closed to wild turkey in early northern WMD zones (WMDs 1, 2, 4, 5, 9) — WMD 27 is open for both fall and spring seasons.
One of Maine's premier moose hunting districts with classic Downeast bog and timberland habitat. Exceptional black bear density — the Downeast/Washington County region holds some of the highest bear numbers in New England. Over-the-counter bear hunting with bait (legal in Maine from Aug 1) from late August through November. Fall turkey season open with a 1-bird bag limit. Vast network of logging roads makes solo scouting and access straightforward for non-guided hunters.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMD 27— 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 27.
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Boundaries: MDIFW official Wildlife Management Districts. Community info last updated 23d ago.