Deer population is a priority for MDIF&W
With the start of the statewide white-tailed deer season now under way, Maine hunters are reminded that recovering our state’s deer population is this year’s top priority for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Commissioner Chandler Woodcock stated, “We are proud at the department of the progressive steps we are taking to grow our deer population. The lower number of doe permits, our increased initiatives with landowners addressing deer yard issues and our aggressive programs of predation control all address the fact that one of our priorities is to grow the deer herd in Maine.”
DIF&W deer biologist Lee Kantar added “to accomplish deer management objectives in 2011, we have set doe harvest numbers fairly low. By decreasing any-deer permits by 46 percent for the coming season, we hope to give a boost to deer numbers across the state for future growth.”
The 25-day regular firearms season on deer opened for Maine residents this past Saturday, and for non-residents on Monday. The season ends on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, Nov. 26. Following this, the muzzleloader season will begin statewide on Nov. 28 and will end on Dec. 3 in Wildlife Management Districts (WMD) 1 through 11, 14, 19, 27 and 28. Elsewhere, the muzzleloader season will continue until Dec. 10. Crossbow archery season will coincide with modern firearms.
Hunters are allowed to take one antlered deer annually in Maine, although hunters with an any-deer permit are allowed to take either one antlered deer or one antlerless deer. A total of 26,390 any-deer (doe) permits have been issued for 2011.
