The 2023 Maine Moose Lottery is now open. What's it all about and how does it work?
What is the Maine Moose Permit Lottery?
The Maine Moose Permit Lottery is an annual event held by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW). The lottery is used to distribute moose hunting permits to hunters in a fair and impartial manner. The number of permits available varies each year based on the moose population and management goals set by the MDIFW.
How Moose Permits are Allocated
Three chance lottery drawings are held: resident, non-resident, and adaptive management zone
Through a competitive auction
Through a controlled moose hunt for disabled veterans
Through a hunting lodge moose lottery
Entering the Lottery is an Online Process
The only way to enter the Maine Moose Permit Lottery is online. The 2023 application period is from January 25th to May 15th and ends at 11:59 PM. During the process, you'll be able to choose your preferences for the following:
Which districts you'd be willing to accept a permit in, and if you'd accept a permit in another district if your name is drawn and all of your top choices are filled.
Which season you want to hunt in if you only want to hunt during a specific month
If you would accept an antlerless permit or not
Who you authorize to hunt with you as your sub-permittee and alternate sub-permittee. You can apply with MDIFW to change either of these names up to thirty days before the hunting season begins.
Eligibility Guidelines
First off, you have to wait three years after winning a moose lottery permit before you can become eligible to win again. Here are the requirements to apply for a chance to win a Maine Moose Permit:
Applicants must be eligible to obtain a Maine big game hunting license by the opening day of the moose hunting season.
Applicants must be a minimum of ten years old to receive a moose hunting permit
All applicants 16 years of age and older must comply with Maine's hunter safety laws before a hunting license can be issued.
If You Win a Moose Hunting Permit
Lottery winners act quickly by booking their guided moose hunt in the Wildlife Management District they were selected to hunt in. Libby's Lodge & Canty's offers guided moose hunts in zones 1, 2, 3, 5 ,6, 10 and 11. Increase your chances of a successful hunt with the assistance of a personal Maine Registered Guide. It's your choice to take your moose with a rifle or bow.
For an old-school hunting experience, Lodge owner and Maine Master Guide Travis Libby takes hunters on a canoe/pack-out moose hunt. This is where you find a large trophy moose in an area, harvest them right there in the field, then pack the meat and horns out in the canoe.
Best of luck to all! Book your moose hunt at https://www.libbyslodge.com/moose-hunts