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Antlerless Deer Permit Lottery
On this page:
- License Requirements
- How the Drawing Works
- Paraplegic License
- Super Pack License
- Landowner Drawing and Exception
License Requirements
To apply for an antlerless deer permit, you must hold a valid Maine license to hunt big game. Exceptions: See Maine resident landowners or paraplegic license.
To apply for a super pack antlerless deer permit (Maine residents only), you must possess a valid Maine resident super pack license.
Residents and nonresidents under 16 years of age can hunt deer with a junior hunting license.
An applicant who applies with an archery license and receives a permit may take an antlerless deer with a firearm during the regular firearms season or muzzleloader season provided a valid firearms license is also possessed.
Residents may purchase a license online or from license agents throughout the state.
Nonresidents may also purchase a license online or by mail at the time they apply for their antlerless deer permit. Nonresident license application (PDF).
Purchase your fishing or hunting license online.
How the Drawing Works
Recipients of antlerless deer permits will be determined by a random computerized drawing from among applications submitted.
A four-stage drawing will be held.
- 1st Stage: Super pack license holders receive up to 2.5% of the permits available in WMDs with at least 2,000 permits. These super pack antlerless deer permits are for a second deer that must be an antlerless deer. Any unallocated permits will be transferred to the regular antlerless deer permit lottery.
- 2nd Stage: Landowners who qualify for the landowner antlerless deer permit drawing will receive up to 25% of the antlerless deer permits available in each WMD/subunit. Any landowner permits that have not been allocated to landowners will be transferred to the regular antlerless deer permit lottery.
- 3rd Stage: Junior hunters will receive up to 25% of the antlerless deer permits available in each WMD/subunit. Any junior hunter permits that have not been allocated to junior hunters will be transferred to the regular antlerless deer permit lottery.
- 4th Stage: The remaining antlerless deer permits after the super pack, landowner, and junior hunter drawings are allocated to the regular antlerless deer permit lottery. If any permits remain after this lottery, they will be made available for direct purchase.
An antlerless deer permit grants the privilege of killing and registering an antlerless deer in the WMD or subunit for which the permit was assigned. This antlerless deer is in addition to the buck that is granted by the Maine hunting license.
A super pack antlerless deer permit grants the privilege of killing and registering an antlerless deer in the WMD or subunit for which the permit was assigned. This antlerless deer is in addition to the buck that is granted by the Maine hunting license.
Paraplegic License
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 antlerless deer permit in the WMD/subunit of their choice in any part of the State open to the taking of antlerless deer, in addition to an antlered deer. Those who have a complimentary paraplegic hunting license do not need to apply for an antlerless deer permit. Your license grants you the right to an antlerless deer from any WMD where antlerless deer permits are allocated. When registering the antlerless deer, use your MOSES ID number as your permit number. Beyond this first granted antlerless deer, additional permits must be purchased. 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.
Super Pack License
To apply for a super pack antlerless deer permit (Maine residents only), you must possess a valid Maine resident super pack license. Enter your super pack WMD/subunit choices in order of preference. The same application is used to enter the antlerless deer permit lottery. Note: If you apply for and win a super pack antlerless deer permit you will not be entered in the landowner or regular permit lottery.
More information on Super pack License/Permits.
Landowner Drawing and Exception
Special Landowner Drawing
Any private landowner is eligible for the landowner permit drawing if the person owns a particular piece of land that is: 25 or more contiguous acres in size; is agricultural, forested or undeveloped land; and open to hunting, including hunting by permission. Any dependent living in the household of a qualifying landowner is eligible. Applicant's hunting privilege cannot be under revocation.
Any shareholder in a Chapter S Corporation is eligible for the landowner permit drawing if the corporation's principle business is forestry or agriculture and owns a particular piece of land that is: 25 or more contiguous acres in size, is agricultural or undeveloped land; and open to hunting including hunting by permission. Dependents of shareholders are not eligible.
Qualifying landowners must complete the landowner permit application and the standard antlerless deer permit application (both included on the same application form - see exceptions above). The location of the qualifying property must be provided (tax map and lot number).
You do not have to apply in the same WMD/subunit where the 25+ acre parcel of land is located if you apply with a regular hunting license. The WMD/subunit choice on your application applies to both drawings.
You will automatically be included in the general permit drawing if you are unsuccessful in the special landowner drawing.
Maine Resident Landowner Exception
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 antlerless deer permit. An unlicensed resident landowner may apply for an antlerless deer permit only in the WMD/subunit 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. For a permit to be valid anywhere in a WMD/subunit, a hunting license must be acquired prior to application and that license number used on the application.