Register for a Workshop Today!
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
*mefishwildlife.com*
Learn new skills with a Next Steps Workshop!
Maine Outdoor Programs
The days are getting longer and spring hunting season is right around the corner. Now is a great time to learn new skills or brush up on what you've already learned. Get ready for adventure with these upcoming Learn to Hunt workshops across Maine. All materials are provided unless otherwise noted below.
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Becoming a Hunter - Bethel, ME
Becoming a Hunter
If you're wondering how to start down a rewarding path of hunting and wildlife conservation, you won't want to miss this workshop. Maine provides excellent hunting opportunities and this workshop will help you navigate how to get started.
Join us to learn why hunting is an important component in wildlife conservation, how to get your hunter education certification, different hunting opportunities, and more!
We'll have examples of various firearms, bows, crossbows and other equipment to handle, and we will answer any questions that you may have. Participants will leave with materials that will help them to get started on the right path.
Date/Time: Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 9am - 12pm
Location: Mahoosuc Land Trust Valentine Farm Conservation Center
162 North Road Bethel, ME
*Register Online* [ [link removed] ]
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Map and Compass
Map and Compass
Join us at the Augusta Sportsman's Show to become a proficient compass user with an understanding of topographical maps. This class will cover the parts of a compass, taking a bearing, orienting to a bearing and more. We will spend a short time in the classroom and then practice our new skills in the field.
*Admission is $10.00 for ages over 12, $5.00 for ages 5-12, and under 5 is Free!*
Date/Time: Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 12:30pm - 2pm
Location: Augusta Civic Center
76 Community Drive Augusta, ME
*Register Online* [ [link removed] ]
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Introduction to Turkey Hunting - Bethel, South Paris, and Northport, ME
Spring Turkey Hunting
Learn the basics of turkey hunting with this introductory workshop. Wild turkey hunting is an excellent way to spend time outdoors, enjoy Maine’s spring and fall seasons and target Maine’s only big game bird. This workshop will cover laws and regulations, equipment, scouting, hunting methods and tactics, shot placements, and what to do after the shot.
**This workshop is intended for individuals 10 and up.*
**This workshops is offered at three different locations on 6 different days. Select which one works for you:**
Bethel, ME
Date/Time: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 from 9am - 1pm
Location: Mahoosuc Land Trust Valentine Farm Conservation Center
162 North Road Bethel, ME
*Register for Bethel* [ [link removed] ]
South Paris, ME
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 from 6pm - 9pm
Location: South Paris Fire Department
137 Western Avenue South Paris, ME
*Register for South Paris* [ [link removed] ]
Bethel, ME
Date/Time: Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 9am - 1pm
Location: Mahoosuc Land Trust Valentine Farm Conservation Center
162 North Road Bethel, ME
*Register for Bethel* [ [link removed] ]
Northport, ME
Date/Time: Friday, April 11, 2025 from 9am - 12pm
Location: Maine Outdoor Sportsman
1044 Atlantic Highway Northport, ME
*Register for Northport* [ [link removed] ]
Bethel, ME
Date/Time: Wednesday April 23, 2025 from 9am - 1pm
Location: Mahoosuc Land Trust Valentine Farm Conservation Center
162 North Road Bethel, ME
*Register for Bethel* [ [link removed] ]
South Paris, ME
South Paris, ME
Date/Time: Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 6pm - 9pm
Location: South Paris Fire Department
137 Western Avenue South Paris, ME
*Register for South Paris* [ [link removed] ]
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Introduction to Turkey Hunting: Advanced - Harrison, ME
Turkey hunting
Join us at the range to learn more about turkey hunting and gain hands on experience using a shotgun. Compare the turkey patterns created at different yardage with different shotguns and ammunition. This will help you determine what to look for when selecting ammunition and purchasing a firearm for turkey hunting.
*Must be at least 12 to participate in live fire.*
*This workshops is offered on two different dates in Harrison, ME:*
Date/Time: Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 8:30am - 12 pm
Location: Western Maine Fish and Game
1026 Norway Road Harrison, ME
*Register for April 12th* [ [link removed] ]
Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 8:30am - 12pm
Location: Western Maine Fish and Game
1026 Norway Road Harrison, ME
*Register for April 26th* [ [link removed] ]
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Introduction to Turkey Hunting Two Session Day - Augusta, ME
Setting turkey decoys
Learn the basics of turkey hunting in the morning session with laws and regulations, habits, equipment, shot placement, and what to do after the shot. After lunch we return for more tips, tricks, and strategies with live fire at the range. You'll learn how to determine the correct shot shell for your shotgun, selecting the necessary choke for turkey hunting, judging and measuring distance, and more! There will be opportunity for live fire at the range to pattern shotguns for those who are interested.
Make sure to register for both sessions if you want to attend the morning and afternoon, but attendance for both is not required. *The minimum age for live fire is 12.*
Part 1 - Morning Session
Date/Time: Friday, April 11, 2025 from 9pm - 12pm
Location: Sportsman's Alliance of Maine - Outdoor Center
2273 North Belfast Avenue Augusta, ME
*Register for Part 1* [ [link removed] ]
Part 2 - Afternoon Session
Date/Time: Friday, April 11, 2025 from 1pm - 4pm
Location: Sportsman's Alliance of Maine - Outdoor Center
2273 North Belfast Avenue Augusta, ME
*Register for Part 2* [ [link removed] ]
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Ladies Turkey Hunting Field Excursion - Rockport, ME
Setting turkey decoys
Take to the field through prime turkey habitat with this excursion. We'll have the possibility of hearing turkeys on the roost after fly-up. Participants should be prepared to walk up to 2 miles, including walking off trail in both fields and woods. Wild turkey hunting is an excellent way to spend time outdoors, enjoy Maine’s spring and fall seasons and target Maine’s only big game bird.
*This workshop is offered on two different dates:*
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 from 6pm - 8pm
Location: Beech Hill Preserve
316 Beech Hill Road Rockport, ME
*Register for April 15* [ [link removed] ]
Date/Time: Monday, April 21, 2025 from 6pm - 8pm
Location: Beech Hill Preserve
316 Beech Hill Road Rockport, ME
*Register for April 21* [ [link removed] ]
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Shotgun Patterning for Turkey Hunting at the Summerhaven Range
Shotgun
Sign up for a one hour timeslot at the Summerhaven Range to pattern your shotgun for turkey hunting season. A Range Safety Officer will be on site to help you prepare for the upcoming season.
Bring your firearm and several rounds of lead target loads, #6 through #9 shot to practice with and the loads that you plan to hunt with to ensure the pattern stays true.
We will provide targets and target backers.
*Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.*
Date/Time: *One hour time slots*
Thursday, April 17, 2025 to Saturday, April 19, 2025
Location - Summerhaven Range
211 Sanford Road Augusta, ME
*Register Online* [ [link removed] ]
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More information
Laws of the Maine Outdoors [ [link removed] ]
Hunting with Nonlead Ammunition [ [link removed] ]
Plan your Hunt [ [link removed] ]
Where to Hunt [ [link removed] ]
Maine Professional Guides Association [ [link removed] ]
Laminated Gazetteer [ [link removed] ]
Check Season Dates and Bag Limits [ [link removed] ]
What does my Hunting License Cover? [ [link removed] ]
Maine's Shooting Ranges [ [link removed] ]
Find a Shooting Range Near You [ [link removed] ]
Stay Connected with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: Facebook [ [link removed] ] Twitter [ [link removed] ] Youtube [ [link removed] ] LinkedIn [ [link removed] ] Govdelivery [ [link removed] ]
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