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Antlerless Deer Permit 
On this page:
- About Antlerless Deer Permits
- Dates to Know
- Antlerless Deer Permit Lottery
- Claim and Purchase your Lottery Permit
- Extra Antlerless Deer Permits for Purchase
- When an Antlerless Deer Permit is Required
- Permit Allocations and Areas Allowing Antlerless Harvest without a Permit
- Frequently Asked Questions
About Antlerless Deer Permits
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 won through the annual lottery, and any remaining permits will be available for purchase on the MDIFW website.
There is no fee to apply to the antlerless deer permit lottery. After the lottery drawing, successful applicants must claim and purchase the permit for $12 (plus $2 agent fee).
Proceeds from the antlerless deer permit fee help fund the purchase and management of deer wintering areas (DWAs), in northern, western, and eastern Maine. Deer wintering areas are a critical habitat for white-tailed deer living at the northern end of their range. Since 2022, these funds have helped acquire and manage over 10,000 acres of DWAs in Maine, read more.
Proposed Change for 2025: Either-Sex Hunting in Designated WMDs
In Wildlife Management Districts 21-25 and 29, hunters may harvest one deer, either antlered or antlerless, under the authority of their big game hunting license during the firearms and muzzleloader seasons. This deer counts as the hunter's one deer for the year. If a hunter wants to take an additional deer, an altlerless deer permit is required.
*This proposal is still pending rulemaking process and subject to change.
Either-sex hunting is also permitted during the youth hunt (October 24 and 25, 2025) and regular archery season statewide. Learn more.
Dates to Know
Lottery Application Open: June 26 – July 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Lottery Drawing: August 14, 2025
Lottery Permit Payment Due: September 11, 2025
Extra Permits for Sale: September 16, 2025
Antlerless Deer Permit Lottery
How to Apply to the Antlerless Deer Permit Lottery
2025 antlerless deer applications will be accepted online only June 26 - July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM.
There is no fee to apply for an antlerless deer permit. If you receive a permit you must pay the $12 permit fee and $2 agent fee to claim the permit. Applicants will have the ability to pay for their permit at time of application if their first choice WMD is in a group of WMDs (based on the number of permits available) where applicant is almost certain to receive a permit in that WMD in the lottery. If for some reason you do not receive a permit in the lottery, we will refund your payment in full.
WMDs/subunit eligible for pre-payment option include:
- 15-17
- 20-25
- 26a
- 29
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, or
- asking a friend or relative with a computer for help in applying
To apply for an antlerless deer permit, you must possess a valid Maine license to hunt big game.
Exceptions: See Maine resident landowners or paraplegic license. Learn how to apply for a super pack antlerless deer permit.
You may enter up to two (2) WMD or deer management subunit choices for your permit 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 at (207) 287-8000 for help in applying.
Learn More about the Antlerless Deer Permit Lottery
Claim and Purchase your Lottery Permit
Antlerless deer permit recipients will be posted on the MDIFW website on August 14, 2025 and must be paid for by September 11, 2025 at 11:59PM.
Permit recipients will receive their permit number upon payment to claim their permit. The permit number is required when registering deer.
Permit recipients will be notified by email but will not receive a permit or transportation tags via mail. Permit numbers can also be found using the Purchased Permit Lookup.
Super pack license holders do not need to claim their permit if the permit was awarded during the super pack drawing. Learn more about super pack antlerless deer permits.
Extra Antlerless Deer Permits for Purchase
Purchase an Extra Permit Online
Extra antlerless deer permits are available for purchase online only. The sale of extra antlerless deer permits will start September 11, 2025 on a first come, first served basis. All hunters, including those who did not apply to the lottery, those who received a permit through the lottery, and those that applied to the lottery but did not receive a permit through the lottery, may purchase extra antlerless deer permits online on a first come, first served basis.
When an Antlerless Deer Permit is Required
Hunters with an antlerless deer permit(s) may harvest both:
- One antlerless deer in the designated Wildlife Management District (WMD) or subunit, and
- One antlered deer statewide, during the appropriate seasons.
Each additional antlerless permit may be used to take one additional antlerless deer in the designated WMD/subunit.
Either-Sex Hunting: Hunters may harvest one deer, either antlered or antlerless, under the authority of their hunting license statewide during the regular archery season and youth hunt; or in WMDs 21-25 and 29 during the firearms and muzzleloader seasons. Hunters who take a deer without an antlerless deer permit during these seasons cannot take additional deer unless they purchase an antlerless deer permit(s). *Note: This proposal is still pending rulemaking process and subject to change.
Expanded Archery Season: Those seeking expanded archery antlerless permits do not need to apply to the lottery. Expanded archery hunters must use expanded archery permits. Learn more about expanded archery season on deer.
Permit Allocations and Areas Allowing Antlerless Harvest without a Permit
Proposed Antlerless Deer Permit Allocations by Wildlife Management District (WMD)/subunit for 2025 and Antlerless Harvest without a Permit During the Youth Hunt and Regular Archery Deer Hunting Seasons.
The number of antlerless deer permits to be allocated for each WMD or deer management subunit will not exceed the numbers listed below. The WMDs or deer management subunits in which antlerless harvest without a permit is allowed during the Youth Hunt and regular archery and crossbow deer hunting seasons are designated below in the “Youth Hunt- Antlerless w/out Permit” and “Reg. Archery- Antlerless w/out Permit” columns.
| WMD or Subunit | # of Permits | Youth Hunt- Antlerless w/out Permit* | Reg. Archery- Antlerless w/out Permit* | WMD or Subunit | # of Permits | Youth Hunt- Antlerless w/out Permit* | Reg. Archery- Antlerless w/out Permit* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 17 | 18,980 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 2 | 0 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 18 | 510 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 3 | 75 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 19 | 25 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 4 | 0 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 20 | 8,115 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 5 | 0 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 21 | 12,085 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 6 | 310 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 22 | 11,690 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 7 | 1,430 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 23 | 17,515 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 8 | 885 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 24 | 4,050 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 9 | 180 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 25 | 14,455 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 10 | 120 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 26 | 6,175 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 11 | 150 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 27 | 335 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 12 | 1,025 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 28 | 45 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 13 | 1,570 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 29 | 1,390 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 14 | 800 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | 26a | 485 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes |
| 15 | 9,835 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | ||||
| 16 | 11,460 | Fri. + Sat. | Yes | Total Permits: 123,695 | |||
*Antlerless deer taken without a permit count towards the annual 1 deer bag limit. If you take an antlerless deer without an antlerless deer permit, you will not be able to take an antlered deer later.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have additional questions about antlerless deer permits, please email info.ifw@maine.gov
I purchased a permit, but do not know my permit number. Where can I find it?
How will proceeds from the antlerless deer permit fee be used?
$12 from each permit will be deposited into the Maine Deer Management Fund, the $2 agent fee will cover administrative costs. Proceeds from this permit will help fund the acquisition and management of deer wintering areas (DWAs), in northern, western, and eastern Maine. Deer wintering areas are a critical habitat for white-tailed deer living at the northern end of their range. A DWA is the habitat where deer go year after year to avoid harsh winter winds and deep snow. Any acquired lands will also be managed as public Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) open to public recreation.
Since 2022, funds from antlerless deer hunting permits have helped acquire and manage over 10,000 acres of critical deer wintering habitat in Maine, read more.
When can I purchase an extra permit online?
Extra antlerless deer permits will be available for purchase online only starting September 16, 2025. All hunters, including those who did not apply to the lottery, those who received a permit through the lottery, and those that applied to the lottery but did not receive a permit through the lottery, may purchase antlerless deer permit(s) online on a first come, first served basis.
Antlerless deer permits are sold online only.
How many antlerless deer permits can I purchase?
Hunters may purchase one extra antlerless deer permit online. If a hunter purchased a permit through the lottery, they could have a total of two antlerless deer permits.
Hunters may have the opportunity to purchase additional antlerless deer permits after the start of the firearms season.
Are hunters that are over 70, junior hunters, landowners, or those with a qualifying complimentary hunting license required to purchase their antlerless deer permit?
Yes, hunters over 70, junior hunters, and landowners are still required to purchase their antlerless deer permit.
Complimentary Paraplegic Hunting License Holders: Those who have a complimentary paraplegic hunting license do not need to apply for an antlerless deer permit as their license grants the right to an antlerless deer from any wildlife management district (WMD) where antlerless deer permits are allocated. Beyond this first granted antlerless deer, additional permits must be purchased.
Do I need to use my antlerless deer permit before I can purchase another through the website?
No. You are not required to use your antlerless deer permit before you purchase another; you may hold multiple antlerless deer permits at one time.
What is considered an antlered vs. an antlerless deer?
An antlered deer is considered a deer with antlers three inches or longer.
An antlerless deer is any deer which does not have antlers or any deer which has antlers less than three inches in length measured from the skull.
Why is MDIFW proposing either-sex hunting?
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's goal for managing white-tailed deer is to maintain a healthy, sustainable deer population that provides opportunities for hunting and viewing with minimal negative impacts on natural ecosystems. Regulating the doe harvest is the primary way for MDIFW to manage the population, and changes were made to Maine's antlerless permit system in 2022 to improve our ability to meet doe harvest objectives. These changes- including the introduction of antlerless deer permits- have led to increased doe harvests across the state, but there are some districts where further increase is desired and where antlerless permits alone are not enough. In these districts, we are proposing that every hunter be able to take one deer of either sex with their hunting license in addition to having enough antlerless permits available for every hunter that wants one. Only around half of hunters apply for antlerless deer permits, so giving every hunter the option to take a doe regardless of whether they apply for or purchase a permit will help to increase doe harvest and meet objectives.
What is either-sex hunting?
Hunters may take an antlered or antlerless deer with a hunting license (no antlerless deer permit required) in designated districts.
Can I take two deer in an either-sex WMD with my hunting license?
No. You can take an antlered deer OR an antlerless deer with your hunting license, not both. If you want additional deer, purchase an antlerless deer permit.
Antlerless deer can only be taken without a permit in either-sex WMDs, by youth hunters on youth hunt days, or during the regular archery season.
If I harvest an antlerless deer during the Regular Archery season without an antlerless deer permit, can I still harvest an antlered deer during the firearm season on deer?
No, if you harvest an antlerless deer without a permit during the Regular Archery season you would be tagged out. The only time your bag limit would exceed one deer is if you hunt Expanded Archery under the Expanded Archery permits or have an antlerless deer permit(s).
Can I swap or transfer my antlerless deer permit?
Antlerless deer permits may not be swapped or transferred.
My name is spelled wrong on my permit, what do I do?
If your name was spelled incorrectly, you will need to enter it incorrectly to purchase your permit. After you purchase your permit, email us at info.ifw@maine.gov and the Department will correct it.
Do I need to enter the lottery and pay for the permit if I have a super pack hunting license?
Super pack license holders must apply to the antlerless deer permit lottery.
If super pack license holders are awarded a super pack antlerless deer permit through the lottery, they must claim the permit but will not need to pay the fee. If the permit recipient does not claim their permit by the deadline, that permit will be forfeited. If the permit was acquired during the regular lottery drawing and not the super pack drawing, the recipient must pay the fee.
How do I know if I received a regular lottery antlerless deer permit or a super pack antlerless deer permit? Look in the far right "Superpack" column of the lottery results. If there is a “Yes”, you received a super pack permit and do NOT need to pay (you still must claim the permit). If there is a “No” in the Superpack column, you received an antlerless permit during the regular lottery permit drawing and MUST pay for the permit.
Learn more about the antlerless deer permit lottery for super pack license holders.