It may be a bit cliche but this is the time of year to look back and reflect on the last 12 months. By nearly all accounts it was a banner year for Maine hunters, with a few superlatives and many reasons for optimism in the year to come.

Let’s start with spring turkey season since that is where the hunting calendar starts for many Mainers. Expectations were optimistic, but tempered by a relative lack of 2-year-old toms, which represent the bulk of the spring harvest. Despite that, hunters bagged 6,966 birds according to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife data, which is pretty much on par with the recent past. The number of jakes this past spring bodes well for the coming season, when those that survived will be adult longbeards.

Maine hunters bagged 3,611 black bears in 2025, which is also similar to recent years and slightly higher than the 10-year average of approximately 3,200. This boost is not surprising given drought conditions that persisted through much of the summer, which led to a lower abundance of natural food and typically leads to a higher harvest. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has been considering efforts to expand hunting opportunities, but given the relative consistency in overall harvest it seems like the current framework is working well. 

Results from the moose hunt tell a slightly different story. Of the 4,105 hunters fortunate enough to receive a permit, only 2,319 bagged a bull, or a cow — less than a 60% success rate. It used to be much higher, but things have changed in the north woods. Formerly large clearcuts have been replaced with smaller strip and block cuts, prompting more hunters to get out of their vehicles and into the woods. Spraying to retard hardwood growth also reduces available browse in what cuts there are, so hunters are having to travel more miles on foot to find a moose. Overall efforts to reduce the moose herd also likely factor into the equation.

The moose hunt also acts as a gauge for grouse populations, as does the weather. A wet spring and dry summer had the expected effect with hunters encountering low to moderate numbers of birds, depending on their location. Fortunately the birds are resilient and can bounce back quickly given more favorable spring conditions.

Waterfowl hunters did well, though IFW doesn’t collect numbers to rate relative harvest. Fall turkey hunters bagged a respectable 3,567 birds, which was over 1,000 more than in 2024 and more than double the ’23 harvest. That suggests a healthy population and perhaps increased interest in the fall hunt. Based on observations during the moose and deer seasons, snowshoe hare numbers appear to be up, and their season is just beginning.

Deer hunters crushed it this year in virtually all respects. The total harvest of 55,873 — a record — was up more than 10,000 over the previous year. Given the number of antlerless permits issued, an increase was expected, but not by that much. Just as impressive was the number of big-bodied and big-antlered deer that hunters brought home. Last season could also be a record year for the Biggest Bucks of Maine and Maine Antler and Skull Trophy Clubs. 

Regardless of how many birds, bulls or bucks they bagged, Maine hunters should be satisfied with the season. The real trophies come in lessons learned, memories made, and time spent with family and friends.

Bob Humphrey is a freelance writer and Registered Maine Guide who lives in Pownal. He can be reached at: [email protected]