AUGUSTA (NEWS CENTER Maine) — Maine's 2018 deer hunting season was likely its best in more than 15 years, according to the state Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.
The agency, reporting preliminary numbers on Tuesday, said hunters in Maine this season had taken 30,299 deer — the most since 2004 when the deer kill was 30,926.
The regular firearms season ended Saturday and muzzleloading season began Monday. Based on projections, IF&W expected the 2018 deer kill to surpass 2004's total and fall short of 38,153 in 2002.
State deer biologist Nathan Bieber said rain the first two Saturdays made for a lower-than-expected harvest, however, better hunting conditions with trackable snowfall compensated for the slow start. Numbers were down nearly 2,000 in the first two weekends compared to 2017, but the final two weekends were up more than 2,000 along with weekday totals the last week and a half.
A new online registration system was used this year to track the harvest. Permits the state gives out are "any deer" permits that allow a hunter to harvest a deer of either sex. Maine wildlife officials regard the annual hunt as important to limit car crashes and help control the spread of Lyme disease.
Due to an increase in deer permits, state biologists expected the higher deer kill. Nearly 85,000 any-deer permits were issued, an increase of 28 percent from 2017.
Maine has the largest deer herd in New England.
Muzzleloading season, as well as a limited archery season, continues until Dec. 8.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.