WMD 7, Maine
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Moose, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- WMDs 1–9
- Area
- 1,473 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Moose — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 92
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
- 207
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
- 831
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 7 — the Western Maine Mountains (Rangeley Area) — covers a vast, rugged landscape of high peaks, remote lakes, and boreal forest stretching from the NH border north to Quebec, offering low-pressure hunting for whitetail deer, black bear, and moose against a backdrop of the Bigelow Range and Rangeley Lakes. This is one of Maine's premier moose districts, with September bull permit opportunities, while black bear hunting over bait and with hounds is excellent through late November. Spring turkey is open with a 2-bird limit, though the mountainous terrain keeps deer densities modest and antlerless permit allocations conservative.
High-elevation western Maine mountains with boreal and mixed hardwood-softwood forest, glacial lakes, ridges, and river drainages. Encompasses the Rangeley Lakes chain, Flagstaff Lake, the Bigelow Range (peaks to 4,150 ft), and remote unorganized townships along the NH and Quebec borders. Elevation and harsh winters limit deer carrying capacity but create ideal moose and bear habitat.
low
Antlered bucks only without a permit statewide (antlers 3+ inches). Any-deer (antlerless) permits allocated by MDIFW lottery; WMD 7's mountainous terrain and severe winters keep deer densities moderate-to-low and antlerless permit allocations are typically conservative. Expanded archery season runs Sept 12 - Dec 12 in designated areas. Regular archery Oct 3-30; firearms Nov 2-28; statewide muzzleloader Nov 30 - Dec 5. WMD 7 is not in the extended December muzzleloader zone.
DEER: Moderate whitetail population limited by elevation, snow depth, and boreal forest cover. Buck-only hunting without permit; antlerless permits issued conservatively via lottery. Standard statewide seasons apply. MOOSE: Excellent opportunity — WMD 7 holds permit hunts in both September and October bull-only windows; draw odds vary annually. Large bulls common in alder drainages and lake edges. BEAR: Open statewide Aug 31 - Nov 28, 2026. Baiting allowed Aug 31 - Sept 26 (bait placement from Aug 1); hunting with hounds Sept 14 - Oct 30. No permit required to hunt bear. Good population in this remote forested district. TURKEY: Fall turkey closed in WMD 7 (not in open fall zone). Spring turkey open May 3 - June 5, 2027, limit 2 bearded birds — turkey range expanding northward into this mountainous WMD.
One of Maine's top moose districts with September bull permit opportunity; excellent black bear hunting over bait and with hounds in remote boreal terrain; scenic Rangeley Lakes region with very low hunting pressure; Bigelow Preserve and Public Reserved Lands provide reliable walk-in public access; spring turkey open with 2-bird bag limit.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMD 7— 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 7.
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.