Maine's youth deer hunting day kicks off busy buck season

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine’s annual youth hunting day is underway as a busy deer hunting season draws near.

Youth Deer Day is Saturday throughout the state. Bucks may be taken statewide and antlerless deer can be taken in parts of the state where “any deer” permits are being issued.

This year the state increased the number of “any deer” hunting permits by 60 percent. The state gave out more than 45,000 of the permits in a lottery. The mild winter allowed many deer to survive, so the state increased the permits.

Maine “resident only” deer hunting day is Oct. 29. The season for hunting deer with firearms follows from Halloween to Nov. 26.

There is also an archery season for deer that began in September and ends on Oct. 28.