Your Input on a Possible Legislative Session is Needed
>>SURVEY HERE<<
House Republicans have been pushing for legislative action to modify the Governor’s emergency powers and legislative involvement in decisions to safely reopen Maine economically and socially. Your opinion matters. Participation in this short survey will help guide us in the event the Legislature is able to return to work with an agreement limiting the scope of work to essential items. We will keep working to promote public input and sensible decisions based on science and common sense.
Any-Deer Permit Applications Due August 17, 2020
You must apply for the any-deer permit lottery online. If you do not have access to a computer or the Internet at home, we would suggest:
- Using a computer at your local library
- Using a computer at work during lunch or a break
- Asking a friend or relative with a computer for help in applying
There is no application fee to apply for an any-deer permit.
To apply for an any-deer permit, you must possess a valid Maine license to hunt big game. Exceptions: See Maine resident landowners. You may enter up to three (3) Wildlife Management District choices in order of preference.
Applicants with a legal residence outside the United States or Canada cannot apply online. Those wishing to apply will need to contact the Department for help in applying.
Maine resident landowners may hunt without a license on their own land if they live on that particular piece of land, the piece of land exceeds 10 acres in size, and the land is used exclusively for agricultural purposes. A landowner whose hunting privilege is under revocation is not eligible to receive an any-deer permit or bonus deer permit. An unlicensed resident landowner may apply for an any-deer permit or bonus deer permit only in the district where his or her qualifying land is located. If an unlicensed landowner is selected to receive a permit, the permit is valid only on the qualifying land, even if a hunting license is later acquired. In order for a permit to be valid anywhere in a district, a hunting license must be acquired prior to application and that license number used on the application.
Those who have a complimentary paraplegic hunting license or are suffering from the loss of, or the permanent loss of use, of both lower extremities or have lost all or part of one or more lower limbs not including a partial foot amputation are entitled to an any-deer permit in the district of their choice in any part of the State open to the taking of antlerless deer. Those who have a complimentary paraplegic hunting license do not need to apply for an any-deer permit. Your license grants you the right to an antlerless deer from any wildlife management district where any-deer permits are allocated. When registering the antlerless deer, use your MOSES ID number as your permit number. Those who do not have a complimentary paraplegic license but qualify under this section must submit a letter signed by a physician verifying the ambulatory disability.
To apply for a bonus deer permit, you must possess a valid Maine license to hunt big game. Exceptions: See Maine resident landowners. You may enter one (1) WMD choice in the "bonus deer permit WMD Choice" box. Selection of permit holders will be done by WMD. Permittees will be chosen through chance drawings and will be assigned to a WMD using their preferences as indicated on their application. If you do not want to apply for an any-deer permit, but would like to apply for a bonus deer permit should bonus deer permits be available, designate a WMD choice for a bonus deer permit.
To apply for a superpack deer permit (Maine residents only), you must possess a valid Maine resident superpack license. Enter your superpack WMD choices in order of preference. The same application is used to enter the any-deer permit lottery. Note: If you apply for and win a super pack permit you will not be entered in the landowner or regular permit lottery. More information on Superpack License/Permits.
Purchase your fishing or hunting license online.
Secretary of State Finalizes Wording of Energy Corridor Ballot Question
The Secretary of State has reviewed the public comments and finalized the wording for the energy transmission project citizens' initiative question that is slated to go before voters on the November 3, 2020 General Election referendum ballot.
Since presenting the proposed language on May 22, Secretary Dunlap received 161 comments regarding the questions form and content. The comment period closed Monday, June 22.
Following a thorough review of the comments, Secretary Dunlap has finalized the ballot question as:
"Do you want to require the Maine Public Utilities Commission to reject a previously-approved proposal to construct the New England Clean Energy Connect electrical power transmission line through western Maine?"
State law http://legislature.maine.gov/legis/statutes/21-A/title21-Asec905-A.html requires Secretary Dunlap to present ballot questions concisely and intelligibly, while also ensuring that the language does not introduce any bias and accurately reflects the proposed legislation.
The original proposed language for this initiative was: Do you want to adopt a Resolve directing the Maine Public Utilities Commission to reverse its approval of the proposed New England Clean Energy Connect power transmission line?
The energy transmission project citizens initiative is the subject of an ongoing legal challenge and the Maine Supreme Judicial Court is expected to rule on whether it will ultimately appear on the November 3 ballot. The decision is expected prior to the late August ballot printing deadline.
Explore Maine’s Scenic Byways
Boasting one of the oldest Scenic Byway programs in the country, Maine offers travelers diverse landscapes such as the Western Mountains and the rugged Downeast coastline. Maine's Byways feature outstanding year-round recreation opportunities, well-preserved rural character, traditional arts and culture, abundant wildlife.
Simply click on one of Maine's Byways indicated on the list below for more information on these unique driving tours:
Preventing Conflicts with Black Bears
Over the past century, conflicts between bears and humans in Maine have lessened with changes in agricultural practices, the decline of farming, increased interest in bear hunting, and the species’ rise in status as a game animal. In addition, Maine has a small human population (1.3 million) that is mostly concentrated in the southern third of the state where bear densities are lower and therefore bear-human conflicts are less numerous. However, each year, primarily in the spring and early summer, the Department receives numerous calls from homeowners when bears have destroyed bird feeders or disturbed garbage. Most conflicts with bears can be prevented by removing common food attractants around homes.
To prevent conflicts with black bears each spring (April 1-October 1):
- Bring in your bird feeders, rake up and dispose of any seed left on the ground, and store unused seed inside. If you want to continue to feed birds in the spring and summer consider using an electrified mat (MS Word).
- Bring trash to the curb on the morning of trash pickup or use a certified bear resistant container.
- Keep dumpster lids closed and do not allow dumpster to overflow. In areas experiencing bear problems consider storing dumpsters in a secure building or behind electric fencing (MS Word).
- Clean your grills and empty the grease cup after each use. Do not discard grease on the ground. Burn-off any food residue, clean blood and grease dripping, and discard food wrappers.
Each year, primarily in the spring and early summer, the Department receives numerous calls from homeowners when bears have destroyed bird feeders or disturbed garbage. Most conflicts with bears can be prevented by removing common food attractants around homes. To learn more about preventing bear conflicts in back yards, while camping, hiking, see Living with Black Bears.
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