DIF&W releases 2011 deer harvest statistics;
18,839 taken
AUGUSTA — Maine’s 2011 deer season resulted in a total harvest of 18,839 deer by resident and non-resident hunters according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Although the winter of 2010-11 was tough, especially mid-winter, snow disappeared rapidly and deer benefited from spring rains and a relatively early spring green up. Overwinter survival of fawns increased, giving a boost to yearlings available during the fall hunting season.
The change in last fall’s deer harvest by minus 6 percent compared to 2010 can be accounted for by the significant decrease in Any Deer Permits, designed to provide additional growth in the deer population across much of the state.
The Any-Deer Permit System allows IFW’s wildlife biologists to regulate the taking of antlerless deer. Since adult females are the most important element of the population from a reproductive standpoint, the 2011 decrease in Any-Deer permits will help ensure continued population growth for 2012 and beyond. The protection of antlerless deer resulted in a 23 percent decline in adult doe harvest and a 25 percent decrease in the fawn harvest. The adult buck harvest increased by 5 percent last year compared to 2010. Combined with the mild winter of 2012, a higher rate of doe survival should be great news to Maine deer hunters and enthusiasts.
Department officials said another positive note on the 2011 harvest include a 21 percent increase in the Youth Day harvest.
In much of the state, deer will be coming out of the winter in great shape, according to department biologists.
