Maine proposes change to moose hunting near Moosehead Lake

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Proposes September Moose Hunt in Jackman Area, Excluding Greenville

A new proposal by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IDFW) seeks to open a September moose hunt for bull moose in most of Wildlife Management District 8—an area that stretches from the western edge of Moosehead Lake to the Canadian border, including the town of Jackman. The plan would leave the southeastern corner of the district, which contains Greenville, closed to hunting during that week.

The move, unveiled at an advisory council meeting on Wednesday, is part of an effort to reconcile the interests of hunters with the region’s lucrative fall‑tourism season. While sporting camps and hunting guides welcome the additional hunting week, local hospitality operators and moose‑watching tour companies warn that the extra hunting could dampen the peak foliage season.

“The department has brought something forward that I feel everyone should be able to look at and say, that’s a reasonable outcome,” said Christopher Richards, a board member of the Maine Professional Guides Association and resident of Hermon. “Hopefully it’s something that can move forward without too much heartburn.”

How the Proposal Works

The IDFW plans to divide the existing allotment of bull‑moose tags between two weeks instead of the single September week that many districts currently have. According to Nate Webb, director of the state’s wildlife division, the September window would cover the majority of District 8, except for its southeastern corner where the Kennebec River would serve as the boundary.

“Opening some portion of this area would need to be a meaningful addition that provides a reasonable opportunity for hunters to disperse themselves and take advantage of what for many is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity,” Webb explained.

Wildlife Management Districts 9, 14 and 17—including the southwestern corner of District 9 that contains Greenville—will remain closed to moose hunting in September. The decision was influenced by strong opposition from Greenville, a town that markets itself as a prime spot for viewing foliage and wildlife.

Stakeholder Reactions

The proposal has generated mixed reactions from the local community. Jeremy Hargreaves, owner of Northeast Whitewater—a company that guides thousands of moose‑watching tours across the region—acknowledged the compromise but expressed limited satisfaction.

“I’m happy as I can be with the decision,” Hargreaves said. “I think we had to concede something to make this work.”

Jennifer Whitlow, owner of the Blair Hill Inn in Greenville, was more vocal in her opposition. She wrote an email to the department expressing concern that a September hunt would undermine the town’s tourism economy.

“The decision reflects a thoughtful, balanced approach that recognizes both wildlife management objectives and the significant economic concerns raised by local businesses and visitors who support our region’s tourism economy,” Whitlow said.

Opposition to the September hunt from Greenville has a historical basis. Last winter, the department had proposed opening both September and October hunts in all 20 of Maine’s 29 moose‑hunting districts. After pushback from Greenville and other areas that rely on fall tourism, the state restricted the four districts near Moosehead Lake to only an October hunt. Those districts have continued to receive only October permits for 2026.

Joe Kruse, owner of Lake Parlin Lodge in Jackman, expressed optimism that the new rule would allow his property to be utilized during the hunting week, a period when his lodge had been empty this year.

“We would like to see it all open,” Kruse said. “But if we do have to have a compromise, then I think this is a good one.”

Next Steps

The IDFW will publish the proposed rule and invite public comment on October 28, with written feedback accepted through November 28. A public hearing is scheduled for November 18 at 5 p.m. in The Forks, where Northern Outdoors will host the event. The advisory council will reconvene on December 8 to review the comments and finalize the decision.

The proposal is intended to increase the number of hunting opportunities for bull moose while keeping the total number of permits unchanged. The division of tags between September and October aims to spread hunting pressure across a broader geographic area, potentially reducing the impact on private landowners and tourism operators.

Maine’s moose‑hunters, local businesses, and community members will all be watching closely as the public comment period unfolds.