With a reluctant spring finally coming to Maine, fall seems a long way off. But before you know it, Labor Day weekend will signal summer’s end, geese formations will be seen overhead and we’ll be covering our tomato plants to protect them from that first frost. Then it will be deer season.

This year’s deer season holds great promise. The Fish and Wildlife Department has put the finishing touches on the regulatory details, most of which are good news for those who hunt the whitetails in Maine. The Commissioner’s Advisory Council recently approved plans to issue 72,600 Any Deer permits for this fall. Although that number is about 4,000 fewer doe permits than last fall, it is still the second highest number of doe permits ever issued.

Deer hunters should also take note of a number of important changes. First, the deadline for submitting your Any Deer application is much earlier this year! These applications must be postmarked by July 15. Second, hunt opportunities have been expanded markedly: hunters may choose up to three different Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) for their Any Deer permits. This is a creative innovation that underscores the Department’s intent to provide enhanced opportunities to sportsmen when it can be accomplished within the bounds of good resource management.

Two other changes represent an improvement. For the first time in many years, deer hunters this fall may legally hunt until a half hour after sunset. Although this change was opposed by a number of wardens and others involved in hunter safety issues, it will be up to hunters to prove that they are worthy of this enhanced hunt opportunity. Additionally, there is legislation in the works that would allow Any Deer permit holders to swap districts.

The general firearms season for

deer will begin Nov. 3 and last until Nov. 29.

Those are the highlights that may help you make plans. More details follow from this excerpted press release from MDIF&W:

“Along with approving the number of permits, the council also approved a new application process for the Any Deer system. Hunters can now choose up to three Wildlife Management Districts for their permit, and if permits are available, they will be assigned by chance in order of their preference. If there are unallocated permits available in a district after the drawing, bonus deer permits will be issued for that WMD. Hunters must indicate on their application a WMD choice for a bonus permit to be considered. Hunters should note the new deadlines. All applications must be postmarked on or by July 15, 2003 or submitted via the internet at www.mefishwildlife.com http://www.mefishwildlife.com by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 1. After a successful inaugural youth deer hunting day, hunters over 10 and under 16 will get their own day once again. The second annual youth deer hunting day is Saturday, Oct. 25. The council also set the dates for the open deer-hunting season statewide. Hunting will begin Monday, Nov. 3,and last through Saturday, Nov. 29, with Maine residents getting theirown day on Saturday, Nov. 1.The special archery season for deer will begin Saturday, Oct. 4, and continue through Friday, Oct. 31. An extended archery season for deer will begin Saturday, Sept. 6, and continue through Saturday, Dec. 6. Bow hunters interested in participating in the expanded archery season mustpossess an archery license, and then purchase expanded archery permits. Hunters are allowed only one expanded archery antlered permit, but canpurchase multiple expanded archery antlerless deer permits.”

V. Paul Reynolds is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal.He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WCME-FM 96.7) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is [email protected].