Bowhunting Equipment

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife - Archery Hunting


A handgun may be carried by licensed* hunters while bow hunting but may NOT be used to dispatch deer. All deer killed by bow and arrow during the archery seasons must be inspected and registered at the first open deer registration station. All other laws pertaining to deer hunting shall apply to bowhunting. All other laws pertaining to deer hunting shall apply to bowhunting. An archery license is also required in addition to a fall Wild Turkey hunting permit to hunt Wild Turkey with bow and arrow during the fall Wild Turkey hunting season. Anyone who hunts with a firearm must wear hunter orange. Arrow heads must be at least 7/8 inch in width. Crossbows: Crossbows may be used to hunt bear during the open bear season or deer during the open firearm season on deer only. Deer may be taken under the archery provisions only by means of hand-held bow with a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds, and broad-head arrow. During the expanded archery season, hunters who have a valid archery license will be able to purchase multiple expanded archery antlerless permits for $12.00 each, and one expanded archery buck permit for $32.00. Exception: Disabled persons who have a special permit issued by the commissioner may use a crossbow during the archery seasons on deer. For more information, see Crossbow Hunting License. Hunter orange clothing is not required when hunting with bow and arrow. Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hours after sunset. In WMD's that have any-deer permits available, archery hunters are still allowed to harvest one deer of either sex during the archery season. In Zone 3, a fall Wild Turkey hunting permit and a hunting license that allows hunting for big game are required to hunt with a shotgun, and a fall Wild Turkey hunting permit and an archery license are required to hunt with bow and arrow. In Zone 3, permit holders may use (with appropriate license), bow and arrow or shotgun guages 10 through 20 using shot sizes 4 through 6. It is also unlawful to use a set bow or to use arrows with poisonous or explosive tips. It is legal to hunt until 1/2 hour after sunset during both archery seasons on deer and during the fall turkey hunting season. It is unlawful to use a crossbow during the archery seasons on deer. Junior hunters (10 years of age and under 16) who hold a valid junior hunting license are allowed to hunt with bow and arrow when accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. Laws which allow you to hunt without a license on your own land under certain conditions apply to archery hunting. Legal Weapons for Fall Season: Only bow and arrow may be used to hunt Wild Turkey during the fall Wild Turkey hunting season in Zone 1 and Zone 2. Note: A fall Wild Turkey hunting permit and an archery license are required to hunt in Zone 1 and 2. One deer of either sex can still be taken by junior hunters on the Youth Deer Hunting Day. The archery license allows bow and arrow hunting for all legal game (except deer during the muzzleloading season), and is required to hunt deer during both archery seasons on deer (October season and expanded archery season).