WMD 9, Maine
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Moose, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- WMDs 1–9
- Area
- 1,166 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Moose — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 88
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
- 148
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
- 182
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 9 covers central Maine in Piscataquis and Penobscot counties, a remote mixed-forest district offering moose permit hunting, bear over bait, modest deer numbers, and spring/fall turkey. The district is characterized by vast unbroken boreal and northern hardwood forest with extremely low hunting pressure and exceptional wilderness access through public reserved lands including Nahmakanta and Little Moose units.
Remote central Maine boreal and northern hardwood mixed forest in Piscataquis and Penobscot counties. Characterized by dense spruce-fir and northern hardwood stands, rocky ridges, cold-water streams, and numerous remote ponds and lakes. Elevation is moderate with rugged interior terrain. Low road density; much of the district consists of unorganized townships and timberland.
low
Antlerless deer may be taken without a permit during the regular archery season. During firearms and muzzleloader seasons, an antlerless deer permit is required; WMD 9 is allocated 210 antlerless permits annually via lottery. WMD 9 is not an either-sex district during firearms season. Deer densities are modest given the northerly latitude and heavy snowfall winters typical of this zone — this is transitional deer range near the northern fringe of reliable whitetail habitat.
DEER: Regular archery Oct 3-30; firearms Nov 2-28; statewide muzzleloader Nov 30-Dec 5. Antlerless requires permit during firearms/muzzleloader. 210 antlerless permits issued by lottery for WMD 9. Buck-only hunting without permit during firearms season. MOOSE: Permit-only lottery zone; October bull season ~Oct 12-17; antlerless also available. Apply April-May. Strong local moose population. BEAR: Season Aug 31-Nov 28; baiting legal with landowner permission (permit required on Public Reserved Land); dogs and trapping also legal. Piscataquis County is prime Maine bear country. TURKEY: Spring season May 4-Jun 6 (youth day early May); fall season Sep 14-Nov 7. WMD 9 allows 2 bearded birds in spring. Turkeys present throughout the district though denser in areas with agricultural edge and hardwood mast.
One of Maine's premier moose hunting districts with a healthy resident moose population. World-class bear hunting over bait in Piscataquis County's vast remote forests. Excellent wilderness hunting experience with very low hunter density. Spring turkey opportunity with a 2-bird limit. Nahmakanta and Little Moose public reserved lands provide large blocks of free public access. Katahdin area provides iconic backcountry hunting backdrop.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMD 9— 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 9.
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.