Maine has passed new regulations for its moose hunting permit system, specifically targeting a program that allocates a small percentage of tags to hunting lodges. The state issues over 3,700 moose permits for 2026, with 90% for residents and 2% set aside for lodges via an early lottery.
The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife argued the lodge program created inequities, sometimes leaving no permits for non-residents in popular zones. The new law tightens lodge eligibility, limits permit concentration, and passed after a contentious legislative process.
The reforms aim to balance economic benefits for guides with fair access for all hunters, marking a significant shift in the management of a valuable wildlife resource.