Maine Hunter Safety Requirements: Who Needs It and How to Take the Course

If you’re thinking about getting into hunting in Maine, there’s a good chance you’ll need to complete a hunter safety course first.

For most new adult hunters, Maine requires the appropriate hunter education course before you can get a regular hunting license. The easiest place to start is the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife hunter safety page.

The Easiest Option for Adults

If you’re 16 or older, you can complete Maine’s firearms hunter safety course online.

That means no giving up an entire Saturday or trying to work around an in-person class schedule. You can work through the course from home, complete the requirements, and use your certification when applying for your hunting license.

You can also search available in-person and home-study classes here.

How Young Can You Take It?

Kids can begin taking hunter safety at age 10.

Hunters under 16 use a junior hunting license, and Maine does not have a minimum age to purchase one. Younger hunters do have supervision requirements, including stricter rules for kids under 10.

You can see the full youth rules on the Maine IFW Junior Hunters page.

What About Bow Hunting?

Maine has a separate archery hunter education requirement. You can find those rules and course options on the Archery Hunter Safety page.

There’s Also an Apprentice Option

If you want to try hunting before completing hunter safety, Maine also offers an Apprentice Hunting License that allows eligible hunters to go out with a qualified supervisor.

You can learn more about that option here.

Bottom line, if you’re new to hunting in Maine, getting started is pretty simple, especially if you’re 16 or older and want to knock the course out online.