SUN JOURNAL • March 27, 2021
For many years, Maine wildlife biologists have depended upon hunters to help manage the state’s deer population. Today, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife issues 10 or more doe permits in order to harvest one doe. Too many deer hunters are putting in for doe permits but holding out for that dream buck. This is making it increasingly difficult to scientifically manage Maine’s deer population. A good first step to deal with this doe-permit inflation might be to get back to basics: Give doe permit applicants just one choice for a hunt zone, not multiple choices. This is a critical issue. Getting it right will ensure that Maine’s deer populations will be managed as scientifically as possible in the years ahead. ~ V. Paul Reynolds