In an effort to help get Maine's doe population at a manageable level, some hunters may get the chance to harvest two deer this hunting season.

Controlling Maine's deer population is a never-ending task. There's a balance that needs to be maintained and hunting season is a large contributing factor to doing that. Why does the population need to be managed? The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife explains on their website.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife [MDIF&W or Department] manages Maine’s deer population to ensure a healthy, secure population for both viewing and hunting, but at a balance that is mindful of other biological, social, and economic considerations. Management of deer habitat depends on a partnership between the Department and private landowners.

According to the Bangor Daily News, there's an overpopulation of deer in some areas of central and southern Maine. For the past 10 years, hunters have not harvested enough doe to meet yearly objectives, which has caused the population to boom.

So the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing a plan that would change how the lottery for the "any deer" permit works. Currently, an any deer permit allows a hunter to harvest one buck or one antlerless deer whereas those without the permit are only allowed to bag one antlerless deer.

If the change is approved, the permit would be changed to allow a hunter to take an antlerless deer and a buck. Being allowed to bag more deer would give hunters more incentive to take antlerless deer in hopes of bringing the population into check.

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