The Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife currently is accepting applications online for the Any-Deer Permit lottery.
The department will be issuing 45,385 permits this year to residents, non-residents, landowners, and Superpack holders in these Wildlife Management Districts only: 15-17; 20-26, 29. It is “Bucks Only” in any Wildlife Management District not listed.
In an effort to reduce costs, the department no longer will mail paper applications beginning this year. Interested customers are strongly encouraged to apply online. The process is quick and easy, and applicants will get instant confirmation of their entry into the lottery.
The application deadline for persons applying at the department or mailing in a paper application is July 31 at 5 p.m. Applications must be postmarked by Fri., July 31 or hand-delivered by 5 p.m. that day.
The application deadline for online applicants only is 11:59 p.m. on August 17.
The drawing will be held in September.
Applicants must possess a valid Maine license to hunt big game in order to apply or a valid Superpack license to apply for a Superpack Deer Permit. (This applies to Maine residents only.)
If an applicant does not have access to a computer or the Internet at home, the following suggestions are offered: Use a computer at work during break or lunch; use a computer at the local library or Internet café; or ask a friend or relative with a computer for help.
If those options are not available, please visit one of the 840 licensing agents and they will assist applying online for a $2 processing fee.
If for any reason an applicant cannot apply online, these options are offered: Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the address below and the department will mail a paper application; print out a paper application from the website, fill it out and mail it; or, come to the main office in Augusta, to fill out a paper application.
The address is: Any-Deer Permit Application Request, Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 41 State House Station. 284 State St., Augusta, 04333-0041.
If one applied for an Any-Deer permit last year, all information is pre-filled into this year’s online application. To start, type in first name, last name and date of birth as was printed on last year’s application. The information will be looked up. Please review all personal data and make any necessary changes. It’s easy!
If an application was filled in this year – and there’s a move or change to the phone number before the application deadline -go online and edit all previously submitted Any-Deer permit application.
Once an application is filled in, print out a confirmation page. Also, a confirmation will be e-mailed to the applicant. This way there is a printed record of the day/time of the application as well as all of the information one provided.
Bonus Deer permits only will be awarded in Wildlife Management Districts where there are more permits available than applications received. Last year, no Bonus Deer permits were available.
If uninterested in applying for an Any-Deer permit but would like to apply for a Bonus Deer should permits become available, make sure to designate a Wildlife Management District choice. No WMD changes can be made after the drawing.
For more information about the Any-Deer Permit Lottery, visit www.mefishwildlife.com and click on “2009 Any-Deer Permit Permit Lottery Apply Now” in the center area of the screen.
