AUGUSTA (AP) — Wildlife officials say hunters killed more than 21,000 deer in Maine this fall, representing an 11 percent increase from 2011.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on Monday released its estimate for this year's deer harvest, with the official tally scheduled to come out in February.
Biologist Lee Kantar said the increase is due in large part to last winter's mild weather, resulting in a high survival of fawns that produced a bumper yearling crop.
The deer harvest has been low the past five years, with the state issuing fewer hunter permits to allow the population to recover following harsh winters in 2008 and 2009 that thinned the herd.
The harvest the past five years has ranged from about 18,000 to 21,000 animals.
Report a correction
In order to make comments, you must verify your account.
In order to comment on SunJournal.com, you must use your real name and include the town in which you live in your profile. A member of our staff will call you to verify this information. To join in, fill out your user profile completely and check the box "please verify my status." We'll get back to you within one business day to verify your account.
Login or create an account here.
Our policy prohibits comments that are:
- Defamatory, abusive, obscene, racist, or otherwise hateful
- Excessively foul and/or vulgar
- Inappropriately sexual
- Baseless personal attacks or otherwise threatening
- Contain illegal material, or material that infringes on the rights of others
- Commercial postings attempting to sell a product/item
If you violate this policy, your comment will be removed and your account may be banned.