Deer Hunting
One antlered deer may be harvested annually , except that an additional antlered deer may be harvested in an expanded archery area with the appropriate permit . Additional antlerless deer may be harvested by hunters possessing antlerless deer permit ( s ) or during the Expanded Archery season with appropriate permits . During the Regular Archery Season and Youth Deer Hunt , hunters may harvest an antlerless deer without an antlerless permit in designated WMDs / subunits .
Hunting of antlerless deer ( a deer that has no antlers or has antlers less than 3 inches in length measured from the skull ) is prohibited except by special permit during both the firearms and muzzleloader seasons .
DEER HUNTING PROHIBITIONS Baiting deer by placing salt , grain , fruit , nuts or other foods or bait known to be attractive to deer , or hunting from an observation stand or blind overlooking such bait , is prohibited from June 1 to December 15 . This does not apply to hunting from an observation stand or blind overlooking :
• Standing crops
• Foods that have been left as a result of a natural occurrence or normal agricultural operations
• Bear bait that has been placed at a bear hunting stand or blind in accordance with bear baiting laws
Illegal Equipment : Deer may not be hunted with the use of dogs , artificial lights , snares , traps , airbows , set guns or any firearm using . 17 or . 22 caliber rimfire cartridges , except that . 22 caliber rimfire magnum cartridges are permitted .
Driving Deer : A person may not participate in a hunt for deer during which an organized or planned effort is made to drive deer . Four or more persons working together to move deer constitutes such an effort .
One and Done : It is unlawful to hunt deer after having killed or registered one during the open season of that calendar year , unless you are participating in the expanded archery season on deer ( see page 20 ) or possess a valid antlerless deer permit or super pack antlerless deer permit .
Gift deer : Gift deer may be possessed if clearly labeled with the name and address of the person who registered the animal , and the year it was registered .
Buying , Selling , and Bartering Deer : see pages 11 & 12 .
DEER HUNTING SPECIAL REGULATIONS AND CLOSURES Please refer to page 15 for information on municipal ordinances that may prohibit certain hunting methods .
HARASSMENT OF HUNTERS
BIG BUCK CLUB
DEER HUNTING
It is illegal for any person to willfully interfere with the lawful hunting of any wild animal or wild bird , including the willful disturbance of wild animals or wild birds with intent to interfere with their lawful taking . Note : This law does not limit the ownership , use , access , or control of property rights otherwise provided by law .
Maine has a club for deer hunters called “ The Biggest Bucks in Maine Club ,” which is sponsored by :
The Maine Sportsman 183 State Street , Suite 101 Augusta , ME 04330
To qualify , the minimum dressed weight ( without heart , lungs , and liver ) must be 200 pounds . Learn more by calling the Maine Sportsman at ( 207 ) 622-4242 or visit mainesportsman . com .
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HUNTERS FOR THE HUNGRY
Attention hunters ! Some Maine citizens lack adequate nutrition . A gift of meat from your hunt can help reduce hunger in Maine . Hunters for the Hungry is a program for donating wild game meat to food kitchens , shelters , and charitable organizations statewide .
To find out how you can help call ( 207 ) 287-7513 or visit www . visitmaine . gov / dacf / ard / tefap / hunters _ for _ hungry . shtml
QUESTIONS ? CALL 207 287-8000 2024-25 STATE OF MAINE SUMMARY OF LAWS & RULES HUNTING