PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 19, 2026
In recent years, the state has seen a surge of interest. In 2020, Maine had 4,381 licensed trappers, according to department data. By 2025, that number had increased to 5,345. New trappers are less interested in selling fur for profit than they were in decades past. In general, they want a trapping license in order to be more self-sufficient, whether they plan to harvest meat for their family or manage pests and predators on their properties. “The No. 1 choice was to expand on their hunting and outdoor activities and broaden their outdoor skills.”