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The Disabled Veterans' Moose Hunt — Permit, Guide, Lodging and Meals, Free and Once Only

Maine runs a five-week controlled moose hunt in central Aroostook County for veterans rated 50% or higher, providing the permit, a registered Maine Guide, lodging, meals and equipment AT NO COST. It is ONCE IN A LIFETIME: a veteran who has ever tagged a moose through this hunt can never enter again. You need hunter safety training or a Maine hunting licence. The 2026 application deadline is 18 May 2026.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Maine runs a five-week controlled moose hunt in central Aroostook County for veterans rated 50% or higher, providing the permit, a registered Maine Guide, lodging, meals and equipment AT NO COST. It is ONCE IN A LIFETIME: a veteran who has ever tagged a moose through this hunt can never enter again. You need hunter safety training or a Maine hunting licence. The 2026 application deadline is 18 May 2026.

What it's worth: Permit, registered Maine Guide, lodging, meals and equipment — all at no cost

  • Everything is provided at no cost: the moose hunting permit, a REGISTERED MAINE GUIDE, lodging, meals and equipment. A guided moose hunt bought privately is a very large sum.
  • IT IS ONCE IN A LIFETIME. A veteran who has ever tagged a moose through this hunt is permanently ineligible to enter again.
  • That makes entering a decision, not a formality — winning and not going uses up your only chance.
  • The gate is a VA disability rating of 50% or higher.
  • You must have completed hunter safety training or hold a Maine hunting licence.
  • It is a five-week controlled hunt in central Aroostook County.
  • The 2026 application deadline is 18 May 2026. It is an annual lottery.

Who is entitled to it

  • You served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • Your rating is 50% or higher.
  • The hunt is in Maine.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

Deadline: May 18 (2026 cycle)
  1. 1Apply through the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services by the annual deadline — 18 May for 2026.
  2. 2Sort out hunter safety training or a Maine hunting licence BEFORE applying. It is a condition, not something to arrange after winning.
  3. 3Understand it is once in a lifetime. If you are drawn, going matters — tagging a moose ends your eligibility for ever.
  4. 4It runs five weeks in central Aroostook County, so plan travel accordingly.
  5. 5Everything is provided. Do not budget for a guide, lodging or equipment.
Form
Veteran moose lottery application
File with
Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services, with Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Documents you will need
va benefit summary letter
Annual
Claimed once a year.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.