Any-deer permit lottery open

So, you didn’t earn a moose permit this year … again.

Join the club.

One antler’s better than none A one-antlered deer takes center stage among several others near Stratton in December of 2012. A landowner regularly feeds the deer and people often stop by to take photos of the hungry herd. (Photo courtesy of Alyssa Urquhart)

But since you’re all warmed up after entering the moose permit lottery, you might as well head to your computer and enter another Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife drawing: It’s any-deer permit time!

I know. You don’t call it the “any-deer permit lottery.” You still call those coveted tags “doe permits.” Me, too.

Not matter what words you use, earning one means that when the rest of the state is hunting for antlered deer this fall, you’ll be able (if you choose) to target does. And that’s quite an advantage.

The DIF&W announced today that the lottery is open as we speak. Paper applications must be postmarked by July 26 or delivered to 284 State Street in Augusta by 5 p.m. on that date. If you enter electronically, you’ve got until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 15 to enter. Just go to mefishwildlife.com to fill out the short application.

Entry into the any-deer (or doe permit) lottery is free. The lottery itself will be held on Sept. 9, and results will be available at the DIF&W website after 2 p.m.

Some good news for hunters: The state will hand out 46,710 any-deer permits this year. That’s a huge increase over the 34,160 permits allotted a year ago. Additionally, any-deer permits will be available in 16 of the state’s 29 Wildlife Management Districts. In 2012, permits were issued for only 13 WMDs.

Deer season kicks off with Youth Deer Day on Oct. 26. The following Saturday, Nov. 2, is Maine residents-only day. The general firearms season on deer runs from Nov. 4 until Nov. 30.

John Holyoke

About John Holyoke

John Holyoke has been enjoying himself in Maine's great outdoors since he was a kid. Today, he's the Outdoors editor for the BDN, a job that allows him to meet up with Maine outdoors enthusiasts in their natural habitat. The stories he gathers provide fodder for his columns, and this blog.