Any-Deer Program deadline

    AUGUSTA — State Representatives Bernard Ayotte (R-Caswell), Tyler Clark (R-Easton) and Peter Edgecomb (R-Caribou) would like to remind licensed hunters that time is running out to submit online applications for a 2009 Any-Deer Permit. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) will accept applications through its Web site until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 17. A chance drawing will be held on Sept. 11.     Individuals must possess a valid Maine license to hunt big game at the time of applying for an Any-Deer Permit. Valid lifetime and complimentary hunting licenses are also acceptable. Licenses may be purchased online or from a licensed agent. Only those possessing an Any-Deer Permit may hunt doe deer or bucks with antlers less than three inches during the regular firearms and muzzle-loading seasons. A permit holder may take a buck with antlers three inches or longer anywhere in the state or any doe or buck within the wildlife management district for which the permit is valid.
    Applicants chosen through the random permit drawing will be issued a number. IFW will no longer be mailing out Any-Deer Permits/transportation tags. Instead, Any-Deer Permit winners will need to record their permit number (which can be found online after the drawing) and report this permit number when tagging their deer. IFW suggests that Any-Deer Permit winners write down their permit number and keep the number with their license so it is readily available when needed at the tagging station.
    IFW decides how many permits to issue based on management goals for each district. Few or no permits are granted in areas where deer populations are low. In areas where deer are more abundant, a larger number of permits are allocated. IFW also takes into account hunter success rates from previous seasons.
    There is no application fee to apply for the permit. Online applications and additional information about the program are available online at www.maine.gov/ifw/licenses_permits/lotteries/anydeer/index.htm.