Maine officials push to reform moose lottery for hunting lodges

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 30, 2026

Maine allocates a small percentage of moose tags for sporting camps, which have long been destinations for hunting and fishing trips in the most rural parts of the state. Hunters pay between $10,000 and $33,000 for packages that include a guaranteed tag, lodging, meals and guiding services. State officials, guides and outfitters say loose guidelines have allowed some sporting camps to access tags through a lucrative secondary market. That has taken opportunities away from other guides and limited availability for nonresidents vying for tags in the state’s prime hunting season. Now, lawmakers are considering reforms that would prohibit the resale of tags and put a cap on the number of sporting lodge tags.