Record Maine deer harvest set with nearly 2 weeks left

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor

Maine hunters have pushed the state’s deer harvest to a new all-time high, and deer season is still ongoing.

As of Tuesday morning, the statewide total reached 52,709 deer, surpassing the previous record by providing increased hunter opportunity.

The figure includes all seasons to date: archery, youth hunt, firearms and the ongoing muzzleloader season.

Antlered vs. antlerless totals

Maine’s harvest data show the breakdown between antlered deer and antlerless deer (does and fawns).

Wildlife managers adjust antlerless permit allocations each year to meet regional population goals. The state is split into 29 wildlife management districts, which have different management objectives.

Antlered vs. antlerless harvest (2020–2024)

The antlerless lottery change that permitted an additional deer tag went into effect in 2022. This allows a hunter who receives an antlerless deer permit through the lottery to harvest an antlerless deer in a designated district and an antlered deer statewide. 

Previously, an antlerless lottery winner could only harvest one deer of either sex. This change is a key factor in the state’s record-breaking harvest.

Additional changes in 2025 allowed hunters in wildlife management districts 21‑25 and 29, to harvest one deer, either antlered or antlerless, under the authority of their big-game license during the firearms and muzzleloader seasons. This counts as the hunter’s one deer for the year. To take an additional deer, an antlerless deer permit is required.

In 2025, 123,695 antlerless tags were available for purchase statewide. Permits may be won through the annual lottery, and any remaining permits are available for purchase on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website. 

Extra permits are available in wildlife management districts 21-25 and 29 on a first-come, first-served basis. A hunter may buy up to three extra antlerless deer permits, and lottery winners may hold up to four total permits. 

Muzzleloader season

Maine’s muzzleloader season adds an extra two weeks of hunting after the close of the regular firearms season in most of the state, giving hunters additional opportunities to tag a deer in early December.

Over the last five years, this late-season window has contributed steadily to the overall harvest. This year’s muzzleloader hunt is expected to reflect continued hunter effort and favorable conditions during the extended season.

Historical context

Biologists have previously attributed high harvests to factors such as mild winters that improved deer survival and strong hunter participation. These factors likely supported this year’s totals as well.

The Maine antlerless-permit system began in 1986. But before the additional permit change in 2022, a major increase occurred in 2018, when the state issued 84,745 any-deer permits — the highest number at that time — to allow hunters to legally harvest does and fawns and help meet statewide population goals.

Looking ahead

While final numbers will continue to change slightly as muzzleloader season progresses, the state has already secured a milestone year.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is expected to release the final verified numbers after reviewing all tagging agent data, typically by February 2026.