20 DEER HUNTING
DEER PERMITS & LICENSES Muzzleloader Permit
• Muzzleloader means a firearm that is capable of being loaded only through the muzzle ; is ignited by a matchlock , wheel lock , flintlock , or caplock , including an in-line caplock or shotgun or rifle primer mechanism ; has a rifled or smooth-bored barrel capable of firing only a single charge ; propels a ball , bullet , or charge of shot ; and may have any type of sights , including scopes .
• New technology : There are new types of muzzleloaders on the market that allow for a pre-measured amount of factory loaded gun powder that is encapsulated and is not loaded through the muzzle as a traditional muzzleloader would require . The bullet is still loaded through the muzzle . This still meets the definition of a muzzleloader and is legal for hunting during the muzzleloader hunting season .
• A muzzleloader permit , in addition to a valid adult big game hunting license that allows the use of firearms , is required for hunters 16 years of age or older prior to hunting deer during the muzzleloader deer season . The muzzleloader permit is included in the junior hunting license and the senior ( age 70 +) lifetime license .
• Hunter orange clothing is required during this season . See page 17 .
• Hunting hours are from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset .
2024 DEER SEASONS & BAG LIMITS
• Except as specified , all other laws relating to the taking of deer with firearms shall apply to the taking of deer with muzzleloaders .
• Only muzzleloaders that are . 40 caliber or greater and capable of firing only a single charge .
Expanded Archery Permit
• Restricted to designated areas ( contact MDIFW , or visit mefishwildlife . com / expanded , for maps of areas ).
• Hunting permitted with archery equipment only .
• Hunters who have a valid archery license can purchase multiple expanded archery antlerless deer permits and one expanded archery either-sex permit .
• Deer must be legally transported and registered as required for other deer seasons .
• All other archery deer hunting laws apply .
• Junior hunters may hunt during this season with their junior hunting license . The junior hunting license includes one expanded archery either-sex permit . If the hunter wants to harvest additional deer , unlimited expanded archery antlerless deer permits may be purchased .
Antlerless Deer Permit
• Hunting of antlerless deer during the firearms season and muzzleloader season is restricted to those hunters who possess a valid antlerless deer permit or super pack antlerless deer permit .
• Antlerless deer may be harvested by hunters during the expanded archery season ( Sep - Dec ) with expanded archery permits .
• Antlerless deer may be harvested during the regular archery season ( Oct ) without a permit in designated WMDs or with antlerless deer permits .
• Junior hunters may harvest antlerless deer without a permit in designated WMDs ( in 2024 all WMDs / Subunits allow the harvest of anterless deer without an antlerless permit ) during the Youth Deer Hunt . If a junior hunter harvests a deer during the Youth Deer Hunt , they are prohibited from taking additional deer unless they have antlerless deer permits or participate in the expanded archery season ( designated areas only ) with appropriate expanded archery permits .
• Antlerless deer permits are acquired by lottery and any remaining permits are available for purchase on the MDIFW website . Hunters selected for antlerless deer permits in the antlerless deer permit lottery may claim and pay for their permits . Super pack license holders selected from the special super pack license holder category may claim their permits at no cost . If a super pack license holder is not selected from the special super pack license holder category , the hunter is eligible to receive an antlerless deer permit from the regular antlerless deer permit applicant category , and if selected may claim and pay for their permit . ■
SEASON DATES ANNUAL BAG & POSSESSION LIMIT
Expanded Archery ( limited area / permit required )
September 7 , 2024 - December 14 , 2024
Regular Archery October 5 , 2024 - November 1 , 2024
Firearms ( allows use of archery equipment , firearms , or muzzleloaders )
Maine Residents Only : November 2 , 2024
All Hunters : November 4 , 2024 - November 30 , 2024
Youth Deer Hunt October 25 , 2024 - October 26 , 2024
Muzzleloader
Week 1 : All Wildlife Management Districts ( WMDs ) December 2 , 2024 - December 7 , 2024
Week 2 : WMDs 12 , 13 , 15-18 , 20-26 , 29 December 9 , 2024 - December 14 , 2024
Only 1 antlered deer may be harvested annually
Exceptions :
• Additional 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 , hunters may harvest an antlerless deer without an antlerless permit in any WMD / subunit .
• During the Youth Deer Hunt , hunters may harvest an antlerless deer without an antlerless permit in any WMD / subunit .
All dates are inclusive except that hunting is prohibited on Sunday .
2024-25 STATE OF MAINE SUMMARY OF LAWS & RULES HUNTING QUESTIONS ? CALL 207 287-8000