Thousands of hunters received antlerless deer permits through the state’s drawing in August and by purchasing one in September. Now hunters could potentially have a third permit by buying one online starting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1.
The second round of permits are for the following Wildlife Management Districts: WMD 21, with 7,245 permits available; WMD 22, with 7,200; WMD 23, with 9,236; WMD 24, with 8,257; WMD 25, with 12,717; and WMD 29, with 2,043. The total is 46,698.
The state had increased the total number of permits by about 20,000 from 2023. Hunters do not have to use the lottery permit before using any purchased permits, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
In an effort to have the necessary number of deer harvested to keep the herd healthy, the state has in the last few years allowed licensed hunters to buy extra antlerless deer permits after the lottery drawing.
The extra permits will cost $12, plus a $2 administrative fee. The permit money is used to purchase and manage deer wintering areas, mostly in northern Maine.
It is possible that hunters will be able to purchase additional permits in November if there are some left at the start of firearms season on Nov. 2 for residents.
If you are buying an additional permit, have the following information when you go online: name and date of birth as it appears on your hunting license, MOSES identification number (on your current license), preferred wildlife management district and credit card information.
Permits will be issued first-come, first-served. The state uses a queue system as a sort of waiting room for those who are buying permits. People will be released from the queue in the order they joined. Only a certain number will be allowed to access the permit system at a time to prevent it from crashing.
There is no advantage to entering the queue early because the system will distribute a random order. Those coming in after 9:30 will be served in the order in which they enter. If it is after 9:30 and you don’t see a green “Purchase Permit” button, refresh your screen. Go to the “Extra Permits” section on the “Purchase Permit” screen.
