Maine’s antlerless deer permit lottery opens. Here’s what’s new for 2026.

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor

Maine’s antlerless deer permit lottery opens June 25, and closes July 30. The drawing will be held Aug. 13.

Hunters applying this year will see several changes, including new unlimited-permit districts, the addition of antlerless permits in WMDs 2 and 5 and an expanded muzzleloader season in parts of the state.

Changes for 2026

Antlerless deer permit allocations are adjusted annually. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife approved the 2026 allocations June 17. 

Permit allocations increased in a number of central, western and southern districts, while allocations declined in WMDs 12, 13 and 15. WMDs 2 and 5, which received no permits in 2025, will each receive 25 permits this year after successive mild winters. 

New for 2026, WMDs 21-25 and 29 have been designated as “unlimited” permit districts, where permits routinely remain available at the end of the season. Antlerless permits will be guaranteed to be available throughout the hunting season for hunters interested in purchasing them. The unlimited designation applies to permit availability, not individual harvest limits. Hunters may hold a maximum of four antlerless permits. 

A separate change affects muzzleloader hunters. WMDs 14, 27 and 28 will receive a second week of muzzleloader hunting, extending the season to 12 hunting days after the regular firearms season instead of the standard six-day season. The change was based on winter mortality rates, estimated winter migration dates and anticipated harvest impacts. 

Lottery details 

Whether you receive a permit through the lottery or not, extra permits will be available for purchase beginning Sept. 15 on a first-come, first-served basis. A second sale period for extra permits opens Sept. 29.

Hunters may enter up to two wildlife management district choices in order of preference when applying.

There is no cost to apply for an antlerless deer permit, and successful applicants must pay a $12 permit fee and a $2 agent fee to claim it.

An antlerless deer is any deer without antlers or with antlers less than 3 inches long measured from the skull.