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Extra Antlerless Deer Permits Available for Purchase

Extra antlerless deer permits are available for purchase online only for WMDs 21-25 and 29.

Permits are guaranteed to be available for WMDs 21-25 and 29 through December 12, 2026. Hunters can hold up to four antlerless deer permits total (three extra antlerless deer permits and one lottery permit).

This is a great opportunity to spend more time outside, fill the freezer, or donate to Hunters for the Hungry. Plus, every purchase supports deer wintering area acquisition and management in Maine!

Give Back to Maine Landowners A small gesture can go a long way in showing your appreciation for private landowners allowing you to hunt on their land. Consider offering to purchase the landowner an antlerless deer permit. You can use the provided form to collect the necessary information and complete the purchase on their behalf.

Know the Rules for Either-Sex Deer Hunting

Before harvesting a deer, make sure you understand the rules for your WMD and the permits you hold.

For 2026, hunters may harvest one deer, either antlered or antlerless, under the authority of their big game hunting license during the regular archery and youth hunt seasons statewide, or during the firearms and muzzleloader seasons in WMDs 21–25 and 29. This counts as the hunter’s one deer for the year.

Want to harvest additional deer? Additional antlerless deer may be taken with antlerless deer permits. Expanded archery antlerless deer permits may be used during the expanded archery season.

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Annual bag limit reminder: Deer harvested during the regular archery and crossbow, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons count toward the same annual bag limit. Harvesting an antlered deer during the regular archery and crossbow season affects your ability to harvest another antlered deer during the firearms season.

Private Land Access Is a Privilege, Not a Right Private land provides valuable hunting opportunities across Maine. Help keep those opportunities available by being a responsible guest. Always ask permission before hunting on private property, and respect the landowner’s wishes. Leave the property as you found it, and pack out all trash. Label treestands and game cameras with your contact information, and get permission before placing them on private land. Written landowner permission is required for game cameras. Respect posted areas, gates, roads, and other property restrictions. A little courtesy goes a long way. The way we treat the land and the people who own it helps preserve hunting access for future generations.

More information

• Purchase a hunting license online
• Antlerless deer permit information
• Find a registration station
• Find a deer meat processing facility
  
• Download a transportation tag
• Plan your hunt
• Find a place to hunt
• Search Maine's hunting laws
• Managing buck age structure
• Rut Watch community science project
• Keep CWD out of Maine
• Hunting with lead-free ammunition
• PFAS Do Not Eat Advisory