WMD 5, Maine
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Moose, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- WMDs 1–9
- Area
- 1,589 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Moose — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 293
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
- 232
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
- 125
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 5 is a remote, lightly pressured wilderness district in Somerset County dominated by dense spruce-fir and boreal forest — prime moose country with one of the state's most generous moose permit allocations (375 permits across three seasons). Deer densities are low in this northern district; antlerless permits were zero in 2025 but 25 were issued for 2026 following consecutive mild winters, making bucks the primary deer target. Black bear hunting is excellent with legal baiting, and the district sits on the fringe of Maine's expanding wild turkey range with a one-bird spring limit.
Dense spruce-fir and boreal forest covering unorganized townships in Somerset County, western Maine. Dominated by balsam fir, red spruce, black spruce, and northern white cedar with mixed northern hardwood pockets. Extensive wetlands, bogs, river drainages (Kennebec headwaters), and remote ridgelines. Elevation ranges from lowland river corridors to upland plateau with no paved roads in large portions of the district. Deep snow winters historically suppress deer but benefit moose.
low
Antlerless deer permits issued by lottery (25 permits allocated in 2026, up from zero in 2025 following successive mild winters). Without an antlerless permit, hunters are limited to one antlered deer (3-inch minimum antler) during firearms and muzzleloader seasons. Expanded archery hunters with the appropriate permit may take antlerless deer during the archery season. WMD 5 is not in the either-sex no-permit zone. Archery: Sept 12 - Dec 12; Regular archery: Oct 3-30; Firearms: Nov 2-28; Muzzleloader: Nov 30 - Dec 5.
DEER: Low density northern district; bucks are the primary target. 2026 saw first antlerless permits (25) in at least two years due to mild winters. Firearms season Nov 2-28. Archery Sept 12-Dec 12. Muzzleloader Nov 30-Dec 5. MOOSE: Prime zone with 375 permits in 2026 across antlered and antlerless seasons in September and October; lottery draw required. High moose density in spruce-fir habitat. BEAR: General season Aug 31-Nov 28 (2026). Baiting legal Aug 25-Sept 20 with bait sites allowed on public land with Bureau of Parks and Lands permit. Dog hunting Sept 8-Oct 31. Bag limit 2 bears per year (1 by hunting, 1 by trapping). Excellent bear habitat with dense forest and abundant blueberry/beechnut mast. TURKEY: WMD 5 falls in the northern low-density zone (WMDs 1-6, 8) limited to 1 bearded bird spring season. Turkey populations are sparse; spring season is available but birds are difficult to locate compared to southern WMDs. No fall turkey season documented for this district.
Exceptional moose hunting with 375 annual permits and three separate seasons. Low-pressure wilderness deer hunting for trophy bucks. Dense black bear population with baiting legal from late July through September. Remote, roadless North Maine Woods character. Canoe-in and gate-road access provides solitude rare in the eastern US. No turkey season pressure given limited spring range in this northern district.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMD 5— 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 5.
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.