Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Official page of the Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and the Maine Warden Service Please consider this when creating posts and comments. Keep it legal.

Welcome to the Official page for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife! This page is dedicated to promoting hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and enjoying the Maine outdoors as well as sharing information about MDIFW programs and initiatives. If you're looking for the official source of information about MDIFW, please visit our homepage at: www.mefishwildlife.com

Remember, this page is a family-friendly forum enjoyed by individuals of all ages. All posts and comments must comply with the MDIFW rules for posting and must meet the requirements below. Use appropriate language. Please do not use profanity or crude language. Comments or posts that are graphic, obscene, explicit, abusive, hateful, or potentially libelous will be removed. Don't get yourself into trouble by defaming others, plotting illegal activities such as poaching, or posting other people's private information. Do not create content of a discriminatory or derogatory nature. Rich debate is important and can be done without being offensive, humiliating, or intimidating based on:
race, ethnicity, nationality, or physical characteristics
gender or sexual orientation
religion or non-religious viewpoints
political opinion
Do not advertise commercial products or services. Advertising includes promotion or endorsements of any financial, commercial, or non-governmental agency. NOTE: MDIFW will permanently remove fans who violate these rules. We do our best to keep up with correspondence on our page, but MDIFW does not have the staff resources to always respond to individual posts. For detailed information about fish and wildlife topics, please visit our website or contact us at (207) 287-8000 Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. Comments submitted on the MDIFW page are considered public records and are subject to public disclosure. If you post comments on the MDIFW page, you are responsible for any information contained in your comments. You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username, and any information provided. We reserve the right to remove any post, comment, photo, video, or link from this page. If you have questions or wish to speak with someone, our contact information is available at: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/about/contact/index.html

Because our page is not monitored 24/7 please remember that if you need immediate assistance from a Maine Game Warden you need to contact your nearest State Police Dispatch center:

Augusta..............................1-800-452-4664
Houlton..............................1-800-924-2261
Bangor................................1-800-432-7381

Scenes like these are happening across Maine. Community scientists are capturing the moments, and the data. These photos...
09/18/2026

Scenes like these are happening across Maine. Community scientists are capturing the moments, and the data.

These photos were all taken by Maine Deer Spies this season, highlighting the rewarding experience of slowing down, noticing wildlife, and turning simple observations into meaningful management. The project is a perfect excuse to log off, get outdoors, and reconnect with nature.

With just under two weeks remaining in the 2026 Deer Spy season, there is still time to beat last year's record for data submissions. Help us finish strong!

Photos are fun (drop yours in the comments) but we need the numbers. Make your observations official at mefishwildlife.com/deerspy.

📸Photos by Maine Deer Spy community scientists: Jack Coughlin, Anita Long, Kathy Douglas, Gale Hart, and Curtis Dow.

Bird conservation is in all of our hands, and the Maine Bird Atlas puts the most comprehensive assessment of Maine birds...
09/17/2026

Bird conservation is in all of our hands, and the Maine Bird Atlas puts the most comprehensive assessment of Maine birds directly into yours. Preorders for the book are now OPEN!

Support future conservation efforts when you preorder your copy: maine.gov/birdatlas

North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds in the last 50 years, making monitoring more important now than ever. But the Atlas doesn’t just document loss. It reveals recovery, proves that conservation efforts work, and builds optimism for the future of Maine birds. The Atlas is an invitation for everyone to be a part of the journey.

Look down. That grass along the trail, roadside, or edge of your yard could be an important find.Japanese stiltgrass is ...
09/16/2026

Look down. That grass along the trail, roadside, or edge of your yard could be an important find.

Japanese stiltgrass is an aggressive invasive plant that has been detected in Maine, but it is not yet widespread. Finding new populations early gives biologists the best opportunity to respond effectively.

The biggest clue is a silvery stripe along the center of each smooth, pale green leaf. Think you found it? Take close-up and wide photos, save the exact location, and report it to us. Please do not pull, mow, spray, or disturb the plants.

Learn what to look for and how to report a suspected sighting:
https://lnks.gd/3/3bDDWWw

09/15/2026

16 fallen heroes. 16 miles. 1 unbroken promise.

Once a year, the Maine Warden Service trades boots for running shoes, and goes the distance to honor Maine Game Wardens who lost their lives in the line of duty. One mile for each fallen hero.

They carry a flag with the names of sixteen fallen Maine Game Wardens, and the weight of every end of watch. At each mile, they pause for a moment of remembrance. A ribbon bearing a fallen warden's name is added to the flag and announced aloud by the color guard. A salute, and the journey continues.

Concluding at the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Augusta, runners are joined by friends and family of the fallen who will always have unwavering support and respect of the Maine Warden Service. Their legacy lives on in us.

Make way for hatchlings!Back in June, snapping turtle moms ventured away from the water to find a sunny spot to dig thei...
09/13/2026

Make way for hatchlings!

Back in June, snapping turtle moms ventured away from the water to find a sunny spot to dig their nest and drop dozens of eggs. Covering the eggs with sandy soil is their first and last act of parenting before heading straight back home.

As we head into fall, inch-long turtles hatch, dig their way to the surface, and independently take on life's first long-distance challenge - getting to a wetland. Greeted by busy roads and predators of all shapes and sizes, it's no easy task for a tiny turtle on little legs, but instinct tells them exactly where to go.

There's no time to stop for snacks, but a snapping turtle hatchling's yolk sac gives them on-the-go energy for their journey. Those that make it will tuck into the mud underwater and take a well-deserved rest until spring.

If you find a young explorer this fall, follow the same turtle crossing guidelines as the summer nesting season: Only help turtles cross when it is safe to do so, move them across the road in the same direction they were traveling, resist the urge to pick a pond for them, and wish them well as they wander toward their chosen winter home.

Unplug, get outside, and experience Maine's wild side. Register for our next Outdoor Skills Day on Sunday, September 20 ...
09/12/2026

Unplug, get outside, and experience Maine's wild side. Register for our next Outdoor Skills Day on Sunday, September 20 at Camp Beech Cliff. Close out summer and kickoff fall with new adventure:

🏹 Intro to Archery
🦃 Learn to Hunt
🎣 Intro to Casting and Fishing
🌲 Reading the Forested Landscape
🛶 Exploring Lake Ecology
🚴‍♂️Adventure Cycling

Choose the workshops that spark your curiosity and secure your spot today: https://www.campbeechcliff.org/adultskills

Today, the Maine Warden Service honored the 16 Maine Game Wardens who have died in the line of duty by completing the 18...
09/11/2026

Today, the Maine Warden Service honored the 16 Maine Game Wardens who have died in the line of duty by completing the 18th annual Fallen Warden Tribute Run.

The tradition began 18 years ago as a 14-mile run, with each mile dedicated to a fallen game warden. Along the route, participants stop to add a ribbon bearing each warden’s name, carrying their memory with them until the run concludes at the Maine Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Augusta.

A 15th mile was added following the line-of-duty death of Game Warden Pilot Daryl Gordon in 2011. This year, the run became 16 miles with the addition of Game Warden Pilot Josh Tibbetts, who died in the line of duty on May 12, 2026.

Josh had a special connection to this tradition as a member of the Maine Warden School graduating class that organized the first Fallen Warden Tribute Run 18 years ago.

Today, we remember:
Lyman O. Hill — November 8, 1886
Charles W. Niles — November 8, 1886
Arthur G. Deag — July 19, 1921
Leslie Robinson — October 8, 1921
David F. Brown — November 14, 1922
Mertley E. Johnson — November 14, 1922
Lee H. Parker — September 1, 1927
Jean Baptiste Jalbert — May 13, 1933
Robert Lee Moore — October 22, 1935
Randall E. Shelley — June 3, 1946
George E. Townsend — August 27, 1956
R. Lyle Frost Jr. — July 1, 1968
Richard E. Varney — September 27, 1972
William F. Hanrahan — November 21, 1992
Daryl R. Gordon — March 24, 2011
Joshua T. Tibbetts — May 12, 2026

Sixteen miles for 16 Maine Game Wardens who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the people and natural resources of Maine. We remember their service. We honor their sacrifice. We carry their memory forward.

On this September 11, we also remember the first responders and all those who lost their lives in service to others.

The sale of extra antlerless deer permits begins Tuesday, September 15 at 9:30am.During the antlerless deer permit lotte...
09/11/2026

The sale of extra antlerless deer permits begins Tuesday, September 15 at 9:30am.

During the antlerless deer permit lottery, there were more permits available than number of applications we received for WMDs 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 26a, and 29. To help reach population management goals in these districts, these extra permits will be available for purchase online at mefishwildlife.com/deerpermit.

All hunters, including those who did not apply to the lottery, those who received a permit through the lottery, and those that applied to the lottery but did not receive a permit through the lottery, may purchase an antlerless deer permit on a first come, first served basis.

Learn exactly what to expect on Tuesday:
https://lnks.gd/3/3bDhD6r

View a WMD map: mefishwildlife.com/wmd.

09/10/2026

Colors. Comfort. Chemistry between you and the Maine outdoors with every cast.

Maine's waters come alive in fall, the ultimate crossover season when the energy of the woods is matched by the rhythm of rivers and streams. The start of hunting season doesn't have to be the end of fishing season. Fall is your opportunity to have it all in the outdoors.

Find a place to fish, review regulations, and get your license through our mobile app, ME Outdoors or at mefishwildlife.com/fish.

For many hunters, a moose permit is more than a tag—it's years of anticipation, preparation, and the chance to take part...
09/09/2026

For many hunters, a moose permit is more than a tag—it's years of anticipation, preparation, and the chance to take part in one of Maine's most cherished outdoor traditions. 🫎

To help commemorate this special season, we're pleased to offer official 2026 Maine Moose Hunt apparel.

📅 Order by September 20, 2026
📦 Delivery in approximately 4–6 weeks after the store closes

Whether you're wearing it at camp, around town, or years from now while sharing stories from your hunt, this apparel is a great way to celebrate your place in Maine's moose hunting tradition.

Browse the store: https://www.promoplace.com/moosehunt2026

Address

353 Water Street
Augusta, ME
04330

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

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