Maine Deer Forecast: Look to the South for Best Hunting

This whitetail hunting forecast for the state of Maine is part of Game & Fish’s “Great States" project identifying the best deer-hunting states in the country. Read more: America's Top Whitetail States

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Deer from Mountains to Coast

Fall deer hunting is in the foundation of Maine culture. It’s the state’s most popular way to hunt.

There are whitetails throughout the Pine Tree State, which offers deer hunting from the mountains and big woods to ag fields to coastal regions.

Last year, hunters harvested 38,215 deer, with the hottest hunting in the southwestern area of the state. 

Maine whitetails can be elusive for hunters, who must be as adaptable as the deer, given the variety of terrain in the state. Whitetails are remarkably capable of living in a variety of conditions, from harsh winters in the north woods to milder conditions in suburban settings. Maine has five seasons: expanded archery, regular archery, general firearms and two muzzleloader seasons. Only one antlered deer may be taken each year.

IT’S A FACT

PUBLIC-LAND HUNTING IN MAINE

Maine has 4.9 million acres of public hunting land, ranking seventh among whitetail states in Game & Fish’s "America’s Top Whitetail States” rankings See more stats here.

Maine has one of the shortest overall deer season, totaling only 79 days.

Roughly 94 percent of Maine's forest land is privately owned, and more than half of that land area is open to the public. In total, landowners voluntarily open up more than 10 million acres of working farms and forests.

DID YOU KNOW?

HUNTING CO-OP WITH LAND OWNERS

In total, Maine landowners voluntarily open up more than 10 million acres of working farms and forests to hunters, according to the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Get more info: Detailed information on hunting seasons and rules can be found here.

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• Coming October 24: The annual Regional Rut Update begins weekly expert reports on whitetail activity from the woods near year. Sign up for the newsletter.

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