news
AUGUSTA, Maine -- Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists are recommending a reduction in the number of any-deer permit numbers that were proposed in March following what biologists recorded as an “unusual winter.”
In March, the department had earlier recommended issuing 93,200 any-deer permits if winter severity remained within normal bounds. Since 1973, department biologists have monitored winter severity for deer on a weekly basis in 25 to 30 deer wintering areas strategically located across Maine. Each week, between early December and late April, they monitor snow depth, deer sinking depth and temperature (continuously measured). The resulting data are compiled into a severity index that allows comparison of winter severity for deer throughout the state and against previous winters.
According to data measured this winter, the winter of 2001 was unusual in two respects: snow depths eventually accumulated to greater depths than normal in most areas, and snow conditions that severely hindered deer mobility persisted well beyond normal spring melt dates in all parts of the state. Comparing data to past years, this is the seventh most severe winter since 1950, and in the past 30 years, only the winter of 1982 was of greater severity, and 1971 was of much greater severity.
The Any-Deer Permit system plays a vital role in the management of deer in Maine. Since this management system was implemented in 1986, the statewide population of deer has increased from a population of 150,000 to close to 300,000. This permit system used in conjunction with the 30 wildlife management districts throughout the state provides biologists the flexibility needed to closely regulate the take of female deer throughout the state and achieve desired population levels in each district.
“There will be no limiting of hunter opportunities in Maine next year,” said Gerry Lavigne, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologist, “Season length will remain the same, and the deer harvest should be in line with two years ago.”
The department is now proposing issuing 54,000 any deer permits. While this is a decrease from the March recommendation (93,200) and last year (75,525) it is more than the 53,800 any-deer permits that were proposed in 1999, and that was the third highest total ever. These permits will be divided among the 30 wildlife management districts (WMD) throughout the state, depending on the current status of the deer population in that WMD.
There will be no any-deer permits allocated in northern and western Maine WMDs 1-8 and 11, or in Downeast WMDs 19, 28 and 29. Permits in southern and central Maine will allow for stabilization of a growing population and other WMD allocations will allow for a slow growth in the herd.
Uploaded: 5/9/2001
Uploaded: 5/9/2001