Maine Lifetime Hunting Fishing License: Cost, Eligibility & Rules
A Maine lifetime hunting fishing license is not a normal annual license. It is a long-term license issued through Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife for eligible resident youth, resident seniors and nonresident youth. The lifetime license can cover fishing, hunting, archery hunting, trapping, or a combination, depending on the applicant’s age, residency and license choice. This guide explains Maine lifetime fishing license cost, hunting and fishing combination fees, senior eligibility, nonresident youth rules, application steps, junior upgrade rules, permit limits and official Maine IFW links.
Which Maine Lifetime Hunting Fishing License Should You Choose?
Choose by age, residency and outdoor activity. Maine offers lifetime authority for fishing, hunting, archery hunting and trapping. Families often buy these as gifts for children. Seniors buy them to simplify license renewals later in life.
Lifetime Fishing
Best for someone who mainly fishes Maine inland waters and does not need hunting, archery or trapping authority.
Lifetime Hunting
Best for firearm hunting privileges, subject to safety course and permit requirements.
Fish + Hunt
Useful when the person will both fish and hunt during their lifetime.
Fish + Archery or Hunt + Archery
Good for families expecting archery hunting to be part of the child’s future outdoor activity.
Fish, Hunt + Archery
The strongest lifetime combination for someone likely to fish, hunt and archery hunt in Maine.
Resident 70+ License
Maine resident applicants 70 and older can get broad lifetime privileges for a one-time $8 fee if qualified.
Maine Resident Youth Lifetime License Cost
Resident youth prices are lowest when the child is 5 years old or younger. Costs double for ages 6–15. This makes early purchase important if a family already knows the child will likely fish or hunt in Maine.
Resident Youth Fishing, Hunting, Archery or Trapping
Each individual lifetime authority is $150 for Maine residents age 5 and under.
Resident Youth Combination of Any Two
Example: fishing + hunting, fishing + archery, or hunting + archery.
Resident Youth Fishing, Hunting and Archery
The broadest listed three-license combination for young Maine resident children.
Resident Junior Fishing, Hunting, Archery or Trapping
Each individual lifetime authority is $300 for Maine residents ages 6–15.
Resident Junior Combination of Any Two
Useful for a child who will likely fish and hunt or hunt and archery hunt.
Resident Junior Fishing, Hunting and Archery
Broad lifetime package for Maine resident youth before adult license age.
Maine Nonresident Youth Lifetime License Cost
Nonresident lifetime licenses are available for youth ages 0–15 only. They are much more expensive than resident youth licenses, but they can make sense for families with a long-term Maine connection, regular vacation property, annual camp traditions, or children expected to fish and hunt in Maine for many years.
Nonresident Age 0–5
- Fishing: $450
- Hunting: $450
- Archery hunting: $450
- Trapping: $450
- Combination of any two: $750
- Fishing, hunting and archery hunting: $1,200
Nonresident Age 6–15
- Fishing: $900
- Hunting: $900
- Archery hunting: $900
- Trapping: $900
- Combination of any two: $1,500
- Fishing, hunting and archery hunting: $2,400
Maine Resident Senior Lifetime License Cost: Ages 65–69
Maine resident seniors can buy reduced-cost lifetime licenses from age 65 through 69. The cost drops each year. These senior licenses are for residents only.
| Resident Age | Fishing / Hunting / Archery / Trapping Each | Combination of Any Two | Fishing + Hunting + Archery |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | $50 | $80 | $110 |
| 66 | $40 | $64 | $94 |
| 67 | $30 | $48 | $78 |
| 68 | $20 | $32 | $52 |
| 69 | $10 | $16 | $26 |
| 70+ | $8 one-time senior lifetime license covers all authorities the applicant is qualified to receive. | ||
Maine Resident Age 70+ $8 Lifetime License
The strongest Maine lifetime-license value is the resident age 70+ senior lifetime license. Maine IFW describes a one-time $8 fee that entitles the holder to all privileges they are qualified to receive, including hunting, trapping, archery and fishing.
One-Time Fee
Available to Maine resident applicants 70 years of age and older.
Broad Privileges
Can include fishing, hunting, trapping and archery authorities the applicant is qualified to receive.
Permits Included
Maine IFW lists several included permits, but antlerless deer and moose applications still must be handled each year.
Maine Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Combination Options
The phrase “Maine lifetime hunting fishing license” usually means a combination license. Maine lists combinations of any two lifetime authorities and a combination of fishing, hunting and archery hunting. Trapping is listed separately as its own lifetime authority.
Fishing + Hunting
Good for someone who will use both rod-and-reel and firearm hunting privileges over time.
Fishing + Archery
Useful for families where archery hunting is expected but firearm hunting may not be.
Hunting + Archery
Best when hunting is the focus and fishing is not needed.
Fish + Hunt + Archery
The broadest standard three-authority combination shown in Maine’s lifetime fee tables.
Trapping
Trapping is its own lifetime authority and has separate safety and permit considerations.
Senior 70+
For Maine residents 70+, the $8 license can cover all authorities the person is qualified to receive.
How to Apply for a Maine Lifetime Hunting Fishing License
Lifetime licenses are handled differently from regular annual licenses. Use the official resident or nonresident lifetime application form, gather required documents, and submit the application to Maine IFW’s Licensing Division.
Choose the correct application
Use the resident lifetime license application for Maine resident youth or seniors, and the nonresident lifetime license application for nonresident youth ages 0–15.
Confirm eligibility by age and residency
Do not use a nonresident application for adults. Nonresident lifetime licenses are for youth categories only.
Select the license authority
Choose fishing, hunting, archery hunting, trapping, a combination of any two, or fishing + hunting + archery where listed.
Attach required documents
For youth applications, Maine IFW requires a copy of the birth certificate with parent information. Hunting-related authority may need safety-course proof when upgrading.
Pay the correct fee
Use the fee table for the applicant’s age and residency. Maine IFW forms accept major credit card information or payment to Treasurer, State of Maine.
Mail or hand-deliver to Maine IFW
Submit to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Licensing Division, 353 Water Street, SHS 41, Augusta, ME 04333.
Can You Buy a Maine Lifetime License Online?
Regular Maine hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased through MOSES, but lifetime licenses are different. Maine’s online licensing system says the service is not available for individuals who need a lifetime license, and duplicate lifetime license printing requires contacting MDIFW.
Lifetime Not in MOSES
Do not expect the normal online checkout to issue a lifetime license.
Use Application Forms
Resident and nonresident lifetime license applications are official PDF forms from Maine IFW.
Ask IFW When Unsure
For eligibility, upgrades, duplicates or permit questions, contact Maine IFW Licensing.
Junior Lifetime License Upgrade to Adult License
A junior lifetime license is not the final step for hunting authority. Maine IFW’s junior upgrade form says that once a junior lifetime license holder turns 16, they must upgrade to an adult lifetime license and show proof of completing the required safety course. There is no fee to upgrade.
Upgrade at 16
Once a junior lifetime license holder turns 16, an adult upgrade is required for adult authority.
Safety Course Proof
Hunter, archery or trapping safety proof is required depending on the authority being upgraded.
No Upgrade Fee
Maine IFW’s upgrade form states there is no fee to upgrade to the adult lifetime license.
Does a Maine Lifetime License Include All Permits?
Not always. Maine IFW says lifetime license holders who are not complimentary license holders generally need to purchase additional hunting or fishing permits between ages 16 and 69. The 70+ senior lifetime license includes many permits, but antlerless deer and moose applications still must be handled when available.
Permits to Check
- Bear hunting or bear trapping permits.
- Turkey hunting permit rules.
- Muzzleloader and crossbow requirements.
- Expanded archery deer permits.
- State and federal migratory waterfowl requirements.
- Moose lottery and antlerless deer permit processes.
Before Using the License
- Confirm the lifetime license authority matches the activity.
- Carry electronic or paper proof when fishing or hunting.
- Complete required safety courses before adult hunting use.
- Check annual permit rules before each season.
- Review current hunting and fishing laws each year.
- Use Maine IFW as the final authority for permit questions.
Is a Maine Lifetime Hunting Fishing License Worth It?
A lifetime license is most valuable when the holder will use Maine fishing, hunting or archery privileges for many years. The strongest value cases are very young children, resident seniors and families with a deep Maine outdoor tradition.
Usually Worth Considering When…
- The child is 5 or younger and qualifies for the lowest fee tier.
- The family expects long-term Maine fishing or hunting trips.
- The applicant is a Maine resident senior age 65 or older.
- The applicant is a Maine resident age 70 or older.
- The license is a gift meant to support lifelong outdoor participation.
Think Carefully When…
- The nonresident child may rarely fish or hunt in Maine.
- You only need one short vacation license.
- The applicant may never hunt but you are considering an expensive hunting package.
- You have not confirmed safety-course and upgrade rules.
- You are unsure whether trapping or archery authority will ever be used.
Maine Lifetime License Mistakes That Waste Money
Most mistakes happen because people use the wrong application, choose too narrow a license for a child, wait until after an age-tier jump, or assume lifetime means all permits forever.
Before Applying
- Do not use the regular online MOSES checkout for a lifetime license.
- Do not miss the 5-and-under lower fee tier for youth.
- Do not buy fishing only if hunting or archery is very likely later.
- Do not apply as a nonresident adult; nonresident lifetime is youth-only.
- Do not forget the birth certificate requirement for youth applications.
- Do not assume trapping is included in every combination.
After Approval
- Do not forget junior upgrade rules at age 16.
- Do not forget safety-course requirements for adult hunting authority.
- Do not assume all permits are included between ages 16 and 69.
- Do not skip antlerless deer or moose application processes.
- Do not fish or hunt without paper or electronic proof.
- Do not ignore current season laws just because the base license is lifetime.
Official Maine Lifetime Hunting Fishing License Links
Use these official Maine IFW and Maine Legislature links for final decisions. This guide explains the process, but Maine IFW controls lifetime license applications, fees, eligibility, upgrades and permit rules.
Maine Lifetime Hunting Fishing License FAQ
Who can get a Maine lifetime hunting fishing license?
Maine lifetime licenses are available to Maine resident youth ages 0–15, Maine resident seniors age 65 and older, and nonresident youth ages 0–15. Nonresident adults are not listed for Maine lifetime license eligibility.
How much is a Maine resident lifetime fishing license for a child?
For Maine residents, a lifetime fishing license is $150 for ages 5 and under and $300 for ages 6–15.
How much is a Maine nonresident lifetime fishing license?
For nonresident youth, a lifetime fishing license is $450 for ages 5 and under and $900 for ages 6–15.
How much is a Maine lifetime hunting and fishing combination license?
For residents, a combination of any two lifetime licenses is $250 for ages 5 and under, $500 for ages 6–15, $80 at age 65, $64 at 66, $48 at 67, $32 at 68 and $16 at 69. For nonresident youth, any two is $750 for ages 5 and under and $1,500 for ages 6–15.
How much is a Maine senior lifetime license at age 70?
Maine resident applicants age 70 and older can get a senior lifetime license for a one-time $8 fee that covers all authorities they are qualified to receive.
Can I buy a Maine lifetime license online?
No. Maine’s MOSES online licensing service states it is not available for individuals who need a lifetime license. Use the official Maine IFW lifetime application forms and submit them to Maine IFW.
Where do I mail a Maine lifetime license application?
The official forms direct applicants to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Licensing Division, 353 Water Street, SHS 41, Augusta, ME 04333.
Does a Maine lifetime license stay valid if the person moves away?
Yes. Maine IFW says a lifetime license allows the bearer to fish, trap and/or hunt for life regardless of where they live in the future, subject to applicable rules and qualifications.
Does a Maine lifetime license include all hunting permits?
Not always. Lifetime license holders who are not complimentary license holders generally must purchase additional hunting or fishing permits between ages 16 and 69. Maine resident 70+ lifetime licenses include many permits, but antlerless deer and moose applications still must be handled separately.
What happens when a junior lifetime license holder turns 16?
Maine IFW’s upgrade form says a junior lifetime license holder who turns 16 must upgrade to an adult lifetime license and show proof of completing the required safety course. There is no fee to upgrade.
Do I need a birth certificate for a Maine youth lifetime license?
Yes. The official lifetime application forms require a copy of the birth certificate with parent information for youth applicants.
Where should I verify Maine lifetime hunting fishing license rules?
Verify through Maine IFW’s license requirements and fees page, the resident and nonresident lifetime application PDFs, the junior upgrade form, the hunting license page and Maine’s lifetime license statute before applying.
Final Take: Maine Lifetime Licenses Are Best for Long-Term Outdoor Families and Seniors
A Maine lifetime hunting fishing license can be a strong long-term value when the applicant is a young child, a Maine resident senior, or someone with a lifelong connection to Maine fishing and hunting. The best price is usually available at the youngest resident and nonresident youth tiers, while Maine resident seniors receive sharply reduced pricing from age 65 onward and the broad $8 senior lifetime license at age 70 and older.
Before applying, confirm the applicant’s age, residency, license authority, combination choice, safety-course needs and required documents. Use the official Maine IFW application forms, not the regular MOSES annual license checkout, and remember that lifetime authority does not remove every permit, tag, safety course, lottery, season or regulation requirement.
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