National Wildlife Refuge · Maine · FWS Region 5

Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge is located in Washington County, Maine, with about 29,719 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 5 mapped hunt units: 4 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 27,627 huntable acres.

4 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
5hunt units
27.6Khuntable acres
29.7KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Moosehorn NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Moosehorn NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing, tidal / saltwater fishing, and shellfishing & crabbing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Hunters come from as far away as Alabama to hunt American woodcock at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge has been open to deer hunting since 1954.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Maine regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (5)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 27,627 (93%)Closed: 2,053 (7%)27.6Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations27,627 ac 93%
  • Closed2,053 ac 7%
Units by size (acres)
191 East Hunt Zone
15,920 ac
Edmunds Hunt Zone
5,330 ac
191 West Hunt Zone
3,292 ac
Edmunds Hunt Zone plus Waterfowl
3,086 ac
Safety Zone
2,053 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
191 East Hunt Zone Special regs 15,920 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Migratory bird, upland game and big game.
191 West Hunt Zone Special regs 3,292 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Migratory bird, upland game and big game.
Edmunds Hunt Zone Special regs 5,330 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Migratory bird, upland game and big game.
Edmunds Hunt Zone plus Waterfowl Special regs 3,086 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Migratory bird, upland game and big game.
Safety Zone Closed 2,053 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Migratory bird, upland game and big game.

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Migratory bird, upland game and big game.

Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Maine hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Moosehorn NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing
  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Designated waters of the refuge are open to fishing sunrise to sunset during seasons prescribed by the state of Maine. Brook trout inhabit steams and beaver flowages, while smallmouth bass, yellow perch and chain pickerel may be found in lakes and ponds.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Moosehorn NWR

Navigate

Destination: Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

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Decimal
45.08595, -67.31024
DMS
45°05′09.4″N 67°18′36.9″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Calais, ME6.7 mi S of town
  • Ellsworth, ME66 mi NE of town
  • Bangor, ME74 mi E of town
  • Rockland, ME112 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • BGR Bangor Intl77 mi
  • PWM Portland Intl Jetport178 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Moosehorn NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in New York local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:19 AM5:49 AM7:09 PM13h 19m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:36 AM6:06 AM6:42 PM12h 36m
Thu, Oct 1, 20265:55 AM6:25 AM6:11 PM11h 46m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM5:46 PM11h 03m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:36 AM6:06 AM4:19 PM10h 13m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:56 AM6:26 AM4:01 PM9h 35m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM3:49 PM9h 03m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM3:48 PM8h 47m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM3:56 PM8h 49m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM4:11 PM9h 07m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:20 AM6:50 AM4:34 PM9h 44m

Computed for 45.086, -67.310 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Moosehorn NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Moosehorn NWR?

Yes. Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 4 units (27,627 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Moosehorn NWR?

Yes — Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other OMB-Approved Permit. Permits can be obtained mail or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Moosehorn NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing, tidal / saltwater fishing, and shellfishing & crabbing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Moosehorn NWR located?

Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge is in Washington County, Maine, about 7 miles S of Calais, ME (straight-line). GPS: 45.08595, -67.31024.

What are legal shooting hours at Moosehorn NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Cross Island NWR

ME · 33 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

Petit Manan NWR

Washington County, ME · 54 mi SW

35 open16 special5 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

5.1K huntable acres

Sunkhaze Meadows NWR

Penobscot County, ME · 62 mi W

1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

11.6K huntable acres

Green Lake NFH

Hancock County, ME · 64 mi SW

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

55 huntable acres

Craig Brook NFH

Hancock County, ME · 76 mi SW

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

87 huntable acres

Carlton Pond WPA

Waldo County, ME · 99 mi W

1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

1K huntable acres

All refuges in Maine →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.