AUGUSTA — Wildlife regulators in states where deer hunting is a way of life and an important tourism draw are implementing or considering deep cuts to hunting permits after a tough winter killed off many of the animals.
Maine biologists are recommending a cut of 23 percent to the state’s deer hunting permits after a winter of heavy snow and bitter cold may have resulted in increased winter mortality rates.
In Vermont, officials estimate there will be a deer population of 115,000 to 120,000 at the start of the fall hunting season — a decrease of more than 11 percent from a year ago. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is cutting its antlerless deer permits nearly in half, to 9,250.
Harsh winters the past few years have also decimated deer herds in the Upper Midwest. In Michigan, the Upper Peninsula’s deer population has dropped as much as 40 percent. State regulators are considering canceling the deer hunting season in the Upper Peninsula altogether.
“Generally you can expect a higher level of mortality than an average year,” said Kyle Ravana, a Maine state biologist.
Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists are recommending the state issue 28,770 “any deer” permits, which allow hunters to harvest bucks or does. The cut would come a year after the state reduced permits from 46,710 to 37,185. Regulators say that cut was also motivated in part by winter die-offs.
Maine’s deer herd was about 200,000 a year ago. Ravana said this year’s estimate should be ready soon. The Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council is expected to vote on the recommendations this spring or summer.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
