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So Maine has an implied access law, if land isn't posted then it is open for you to access and hunt on.

Now with that said, I always, and I mean ALWAYS ask landowners if I can access their land for hunting.

It is a much better way to go about it. In my case I have two spots I can hunt, one (75 acres) the landowner asked me to fully post for them so that myself and a friend are the only ones hunting there, and another in an adjoining town I have a 50 acre lot surrounded on three sides by large plots.

That land owner was so happy I asked to get access, that he said if I see anyone else...tell them to get lost. its mine to hunt as I see fit.

Now I wouldn't kick someone out, it isn't posted and that's just a dick move in my mind, so I would tell them to go see the landowner, or work with me to hunt it so that we both can be successful.

Look up GIS maps in your area, find large lots and reach out tot he owners of the land and ask them for access.

If it's not posted or right next to someone's hkuse (you have t0 be at least 100yards (300ft) away from buildings) it's fair game legally. Obviously use you better judgement so you don't over step. My husband and I personally find areas near powerlines that are off road ways and far enough away from houses we don't have to worry about what direction we're shooting in. The more north you go the more area you'll have to hunt as well

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Drop some coin on a guide the first time you go out. If you don't have a lot of experience you can learn a lot of dos and don'ts from them.

Find a local Rod and Gun club, they will point you in the right direction.

As a land owner of some acreage for hunting. If there is a sign that says “access by permission only”

Get permission before going out.

Other then that. Go out in the woods and start scouting.

I see comments about power lines and implied access, I just wanted to share a quick little story about how last fall I saw some guy at the Michaels in Augusta just hop out of his truck and walk into the woods with a bow. It was very unexpected 😂

Depending on where you are in Western Maine, head to Northwest Maine (Rangeley, Eustis, etc.) and hit the tote roads. Most land managed by forestry/paper companies allow hunting. That said, you’ll need a vehicle equipped to handle rough roads.

Thanks I'm fairly familiar with rangly. I'll look into it. I have a jeep and a truck so that's all good.

Google ..Maine public reserve lands Most are open for hunting

If you are going to do this and can’t talk to the property owner, it’s helpful to at least let the game warden know.

Well thats why I said be reasonable about where you hunt but that if you are near buildings you legally have to be at least 100yards. I wouldn't personally hunt knowingly right on someone's land withoit permission anyway, that's why we look for areas far from houses. But again, legally you don't need permission if it's not posted and your more than 100 yards away from a building. There's just a common curiosity of not being am ass hole and shooting a deer in someone's yard.

So anyway I started blasting.

If you would like to hunt in a town nearby I would go to that towns Website and look at the tax maps. These show the individual lots and you can find out who owns them and contact them for permission to cover all your bases. Or OnX hunt app shows lot lines over a aerial map but doesn’t seem to work in every town

Morton Cutoff and and Richards Road (both just past Cupsuptic Campground off Route 16) are good places to start. They’re fairly well maintained as far as logging roads go and there’s plenty of game.

This is the way. There are also hunting apps that superimpose lot lines over GPS data on your phone.

Just another tip, property lines can be marked with signs or purple paint on trees signifying private property.

Big woods

Some state parks are open for hunting. That was a TIL moment for me when I went for a walk at Range Pond State Park a few weeks ago and they had signs posted.

Unposted land that is not near homes, barns, farm animals. Call your local game wardens, ask for advice. Take a gun/ hunting safety class to meet hunters. There's some national forest in Maine, not sure if hunting is allowed, but you could find out.

Land trust properties (especially lmf funded)

Ok narc

Signs get pulled down, fall down, etc. If it's not your land, it's not reasonable to assume that someone wants you on it.

Corporate land that isn’t posted. Logging roads, cell tower land, power line corridors others mentioned. Out in WM Check out the meat eaters land access project. Use on x to find who owns what parcels.

Also, depending the type of hunting archery v firearm— for archery you can usually get a map from your town of town property you’re allowed to hunt, and the season is WAY longer.

You should always ask the property owner even though it’s legally okay to if the land isn’t posted.

If you are in that area, stay away from the AT & the Navy base, just a heads up.

I grew up in Missouri and have lived in Maine for over a decade. I’ll never get over this.

Always find out who owns the land and get permission. If not don’t trespass.

100 yards is not nearly far enough away. That should definitely be increased.

Too many people feel entitled to other peoples land, the atv situation in casco is a mess because of it. (That may be a less than local Issue though given out of state users)

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I’m not posted. Come to Orland friends! I’m just not into it but I have a cedar swamp. Sorry but I won’t sit in a stand. However I will loudly play my Trianon Thomas organ with dual Leslie speakers and attract the venison. #weirddude

I don’t follow — was Missouri different trespass-wise, and if so in which way? Laws are different?

I feel like you're say I should kill people. Like a day after a shooting in Colorado.

I don't know why more people haven't said this .

In both NH and Maine you are able to use other people's land for recreational purposes including hunting unless posted not to trespass. In Tennessee (and I'm guessing Missouri as well) there's a good chance you'd be shot and it would be legal because you were trespassing. Hard to wrap your mind around wandering into other people's land coming from that.

Exactly. It just seems disrespectful to walk on to someone else’s land and use their resources without their permission.

This is the answer.

It’s not trespassing if it’s not posted. Just because Missouri has draconian trespassing laws doesn’t mean we need to project that culture on Maine.

Shoot me a DM and I’ll send you coordinates later today

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I understand what you're saying but your comment doesn't seem to be addressing my little story about the bowman near Michael's craft store at all.

Dick Cheney, is that you?

Exactly, One of the things I love about Maine. I don't hunt, not that Im against it, just don't feel like butchering my kill as I have a weak stomach for such things. Though being able to wander the woods without worry is nice.

My dad had a coworker who pulled over on the side of the road in his company car and shot a deer through the passenger window. Probably should have opened the window first.

😂 imagine explaining that to the boss!

It's not reasonable at all to keep people off your land if you aren't actively using it.

If you can't be bothered to slap some purple paint on a tree, you have quite the nerve to complain about people just walking through.

> I grew up in Missouri and have lived in Maine for over a decade. I’ll never get over this.

Welcome to a free state.

It’s not reasonable at all to assume that you can just walk around and hunt in property that is not yours. If you want that sort of flexibility buy yourself some land.

It is reasonable because that’s the law. You are allowed to recreate on any land that is not properly posted, provided you are not damaging it, cutting down trees, etc.

There’s a difference between what’s reasonable, and what’s legal sometimes. The bottom line is that hunting only exists in Maine because of the generosity of the landowners.

Anybody can walk into Walmart and buy a shotgun, but without land to use it on it’s pointless. Unless you own land yourself remember to send a thank you card to the guy who’s letting you use his property.

"It's not reasonable to assume that the law is the law."

Why are you struggling with objective reality?

Why are you so defensive of mooching? What’s the big deal about letting your neighbor know you plan to be in his yard?

You think the entire forested area of Maine (90% of land area) is "someone's yard?"

You have some kind of deeply pathetic Stockholm Syndrome.

It's legal in Augusta with a bow. You need special permission from the police.

It's expanded archery through there and you can take as many as you want... $15/ tag.

I imagine that's probably because of the close proximity to 95 and other Major roadways

You can drop it off at a butcher. Thats what i do. Cones back in marked, vacuumed sealed packages. No mess or left overs. Its the way to go

Yes it is.

You just explained how to do it.

Better question is how you do anything in Maine if you don't "know a guy"

Lol ok. I like Maine a lot more but respecting landowners and asking for permission to use their land makes a lot more sense. Plus you can’t even hunt on Sunday so I guess each state has their own benefit.

My parents always hunted off the Boundary Road in Standish and off the power lines in Baldwin.

Crank those Leslies baby! Love to hear them whirly birds get goin!

or silver paint