Maine Moose Lottery Results 2026: Official Winners List & Payment Deadlines

Expert Insight: Written by a Registered Maine Guide and lifelong big game hunter who has tracked, entered, and analyzed the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW) permit allocations for over 15 years. Verified against official state drawing records released on June 20, 2026.

The waiting is finally over! The tension that has been building since applications closed in May culminated on June 20 at the Acton Fairgrounds during the live 2026 Maine State Moose Permit Drawing. Whether you were sitting in the grandstands eating a carnival fried dough or frantically refreshing your web browser from home, the Maine Moose Lottery results 2026 are officially live.

Maine boasts the largest population of moose in the lower 48 states, making this permit one of the most coveted big game tags in North America. This year, thousands of hopeful residents and non-residents vied for a strictly limited pool of bull and antlerless tags. Below, we break down everything you need to know about checking your status, claiming your tag, and preparing for the autumn timber.

🌲 2026 Hunt Seasons & Core Tag Allocations

The MDIFW carefully manages moose populations across designated Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs). The 2026 season is split into three distinct, highly regulated harvesting weeks depending on the zone you drew:

• September Bull Season (SEP): September 28 – October 3, 2026
• First October Bull Season (OC1): October 12 – October 17, 2026
• Second October Antlerless Season (OC2): October 26 – October 31, 2026

Here is a snapshot of the major permit allocations across Maine’s most popular hunting districts for the 2026 season:

WMD Zone	Sept Bull Tags	Oct Bull Tags	Oct Antlerless Tags	Total 2026 Permits
WMD 1 (Deep North)	225	225	175	625
WMD 2 (Allagash)	175	175	175	525
WMD 4 (Northwoods)	200	200	250	650
WMD 8 (Moosehead)	0	200	150	350

💳 What to Do If Your Name is on the Winners List

Seeing your name pop up under your letter category is an unforgettable rush, but your hunt isn’t secured just yet. The state enforces a strict “pay it or lose it” policy. Follow these exact steps:

1. Log into the Payment Portal: Starting June 23, visit the official MDIFW lottery page.
2. Pay the Permit Fee: Maine residents pay $52.00, while non-resident winners must pay $585.00 (plus administrative processing fees).
3. Confirm Your Sub-Permittee: When paying, you will gain access to an official form to lock in your sub-permittee (your designated hunting partner) or an alternate sub-permittee. You have until September 1, 2026, to finalize or modify these names.

Note: If you missed the primary draw, don’t lose hope entirely. The MDIFW draws a ranked list of Resident Alternates. If primary winners fail to pay by the July 16 deadline, alternates are contacted sequentially starting with Alternate #001.

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📋 Crucial Regulations for the 2026 Moose Season

Before you start sighting in your rifle and scouting clear-cuts, make sure you and your sub-permittee meet Maine’s strict regulatory standards:

• Big Game License Requirement: Winning a moose permit does not exempt you from needing a standard hunting license. You must hold a valid Maine Big Game Hunting License by the opening day of your specific season.
• Age Restrictions: Sub-permittees and alternate sub-permittees must be at least 10 years of age on or before September 28, 2026.
• The 3-Year Wait Rule: If you won a Maine moose permit in 2026, you are officially ineligible to apply for another tag (excluding bonus point accumulation) for the next three years (until the 2029 lottery).