WMD 8, Maine
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Moose, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- WMDs 1–9
- Area
- 2,170 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Moose — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 217
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
- 346
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
- 704
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 8 covers the western Maine mountains spanning portions of Somerset, Franklin, and Oxford counties — a rugged, remote district of dense spruce-fir forest, boreal bogs, and elevated ridgelines that is one of the state's premier moose hunting destinations with 150 antlerless moose permits issued annually. Deer numbers are below statewide averages due to harsh winters and elevation, but 890 antlerless permits are available by lottery, and the district supports spring and fall turkey as well as a robust bear population accessible via baiting and hound hunting.
Rugged western Maine mountains with dense spruce-fir and mixed northern hardwood forest, boreal bogs, and remote ridgelines. Elevation ranges widely; winters are severe, limiting deer wintering habitat. The Bigelow Preserve and Flagstaff Lake area define much of the district's character. Transitional areas near lower elevations offer better deer habitat where agricultural edges and young forest clearcuts provide browse.
Low to moderate. Remote terrain and limited road access keep pressure light, especially in the Bigelow/Flagstaff corridor. More pressure near accessible lower-elevation edges during firearms deer season.
Antlerless deer permit required beyond archery season any-deer opportunity. 890 antlerless permits allocated for WMD 8 in 2026 via lottery (applications open late June, drawing mid-August, extra permits on sale mid-September). WMD 8 is NOT an either-sex district during firearms/muzzleloader; antlerless harvest outside archery requires a permit. Archery season (expanded and regular) allows antlerless harvest without a permit statewide.
DEER: Expanded archery opens Sep 12, regular archery Oct 3, firearms Nov 2, muzzleloader late Nov-Dec. 890 antlerless permits by lottery; deer density below southern Maine averages due to severe winters and boreal habitat. MOOSE: Antlerless-only, Oct 26-31, 150 lottery permits (135 resident/15 non-resident); excellent population density. BEAR: Statewide season with bait Aug 25-Sep 20, hounds Sep 8-Oct 31, trapping Sep 1-Oct 31; bag limit 2/year (1 hunt, 1 trap); bear baiting on Public Reserved Land requires BPL permit. TURKEY: Spring season May 4-Jun 6 (1 bearded bird, WMDs 1-6 and 8); fall season Sep 14-Nov 7 (1 bird).
One of Maine's best moose districts with 150 antlerless permits and a healthy population. Bigelow Preserve and Dead River Public Reserved Land offer remote public access. Spring turkey available (May 4-June 6, 1 bearded bird). Bear hunting with bait (Aug 25-Sep 20), hounds (Sep 8-Oct 31), and trapping (Sep 1-Oct 31). Deer hunting is challenging due to elevation and harsh winters but rewarding for hunters willing to work remote terrain.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMD 8— 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 8.
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Boundaries: MDIFW official Wildlife Management Districts. Community info last updated 23d ago.