In northern and eastern Maine, deer herds are struggling.

PORTLAND (AP) – The deer population was allowed to burgeon in Maine because of a mild winter, and state biologists have recommended increasing the number of hunting licenses this year to help pair down the stock.

Deer biologist Gerry Lavigne recommended an increase of 3,550 in the number of any-deer permits available for the 2004 hunting season. The state estimated about 230,000 deer remained after last year, according to department data.

More than 76,000 hunters will be given the option of shooting a female deer next fall if the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council approves the request during their May meeting. The permits normally are allocated by region with a few particularly dense locations in southern and central Maine receiving more than 10,000 permits each.

In northern and eastern Maine, deer herds are struggling because heavy logging has eliminated many of the traditional wintering areas, groves of mature trees where deer gather for shelter in the winter.

Six state districts that were left out of the any-deer hunt last fall also could receive between 25 and 100 permits under the 2004 plan.

Last fall’s hunt was particularly conservative in response to the harsh winter spanning 2002 and 2003, Lavigne said. It was lessened by warm, wet weather through most of November followed by a mild winter.

The conditions this year winter justified liberalizing the hunt, he said.

Lavigne added a few advisers raised concerns that some hunting districts in northern and eastern Maine still may be too liberal.

State officials stressed the need to increase the number of permits.

“From a biological standpoint, we can support it,” he said. “And from a social standpoint, it’s desirable.”

AP-ES-04-30-04 0215EDT