Beginning in 2022, a licensed hunter with an antlerless deer permit can harvest an antlerless deer in the designated district and an antlered deer statewide. Antlerless deer permits may be acquired through the lottery, and any remaining permits will be available for purchase on the MDIFW website.

Applications must be completed online by 11:59 pm (ET) on August 1, 2022. There is no fee to apply to the antlerless deer permit lottery.

After the lottery drawing on September 1, successful applicants must claim and purchase the permit for $12 (plus $2 agent fee) by September 29, 2022 at 11:59 PM. First come, first serve antlerless deer permits will be available at mefishwildlife.com early October.

Proceeds from the antlerless deer permit fee will help fund the purchase and management of deer wintering areas (DWAs), primarily in northern Maine. Deer wintering areas are a critical habitat for white-tailed deer living at the northern end of their range.