Quick Guide to Deer Hunting in Maine
Deer Hunting in Maine can be a rewarding experience, but be sure to know the rules and regulations before embarking on your first hunting trip. The state of Maine offers deer hunting permits to in and out of state residents each year. Additionally, the state conducts an Any Deer lottery, giving a limited number of applicants permission to hunt does as well as bucks. Read on to find out more about Maine deer hunting.
Qualifications
Applicants must be at least 10 years of age by the close of the hunting season, which runs from the last day of October through the beginning of December. All hunters are required to complete a state certified hunter's education course before applying for a license, or show proof that a hunting license has been held in a previous year. Consult the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website for specific dates and deadlines each year.
Any Deer Permits
Because hunters are only allowed one deer per year and are not usually allowed to hunt does, most applicants enter the Any Deer Lottery in order to hunt both antlerless deer. The six-stage drawing grants permits first to special license holders, followed by landowners and in- and out-of-state residents. Winners are notified by mail and issued a tag number that must be presented when the deer is tagged.
Rules
Hunting is permitted Monday through Saturday, 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Hunters are required to wear two pieces of bright orange clothing, which can be obtained from nearly any clothing or general good store during and around hunting season. One day during the season is reserved for only Maine residents, and the season is divided into firearm and archery seasons. Only deer with antlers at least three inches long may be tagged without an Any Deer permit. A deer must be presented in its entirety for tagging within 18 hours of death at a registration station within the district where the animal was obtained.
