Outdoors
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Maine’s annual moose permit drawing has become one of the state’s biggest hunting celebrations, and MDIFW will announce this year’s lottery winners Saturday in Acton.
What else is happening at the event?
The lottery drawing is part of a two-day outdoor festival at the Acton Fairgrounds. Activities begin Friday and include dock dog competitions, a car show, truck pulls, carnival rides, live music, vendors and food booths. Saturday’s schedule features youth and adult moose-calling competitions, a Labrador retriever hunting demonstration, a fry pan toss, hunting seminars and the permit drawing itself, which begins at 1 p.m. and is scheduled to end by 5 p.m.
How many permits will be awarded?
This year, 3,705 permits will be awarded for Maine’s 2026 moose hunt.
Can I camp at the fairgrounds?
Visitors who want to make a weekend of the event can camp at the Acton Fairgrounds. The campground opens for check-in at noon Thursday, and campers may stay through the weekend. Campsites cost $30 per night or $75 for three nights. All campers must be self-contained and leave the fairgrounds by 2 p.m. Sunday. Advance registration is encouraged, although sites may still be available upon arrival. For camping information, contact Tony Bragg at 207-432-0807 or tony.w.bragg@gmail.com.
How do I listen to the drawing live?
People who can’t attend the drawing in person can still follow portions of the event live. Bennett Radio Group will broadcast from the Acton Fairgrounds from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Channel X Radio, heard on 97.7 FM and 102.3 FM and streamed at ChannelXRadio.com, will announce lottery winners from Aroostook County.
WOXO, heard on 92.7 FM and 100.7 FM and streamed at WOXO.com, will announce lottery winners from Oxford and Androscoggin counties.
Where can I find the results of the moose lottery?
The Bangor Daily News will publish the complete list of moose permit lottery winners at 6 p.m. Saturday.
The searchable list will include hunters’ names and hometowns, hunting dates, wildlife management district and whether the permit is for an antlered or antlerless moose.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will also publish the results online Saturday. Successful applicants will be notified by mail or email to purchase their permits. The fee is $52 for residents and $585 for nonresidents.
Can I swap my permit for another zone?
Yes. Maine allows permit holders to swap permits with another hunter if they want to hunt during a different week, in a different wildlife management district or under a different permit type.
Both hunters must first purchase their permits before completing the exchange. Permit holders are responsible for finding their own swap partners, and only one swap is allowed.
To complete the exchange, hunters must submit a signed swap letter or completed moose permit swap application along with a $7 fee to MDIFW.
Hunters looking for a swap partner can use services such as MooseSwap.com, operated by the Maine Professional Guides Association, or MoosePermitSwap.com, operated by Maine guide Steve Beckwith.