Expanded archery deer season opens Saturday

Expanded archery season for deer opens on Saturday.

The season was established to allow hunting where there are a lot of deer, but it is not safe to use firearms such as in areas that are more densely residential or on coastal islands where access is difficult.

The idea is to allow the state to manage deer populations in areas that do not lend themselves to firearms well, while respecting private landowners and other recreational users, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Hunting is allowed only in designated areas and the season ends on Dec. 14. Regular archery season goes from Oct. 5 through Nov. 1, just before firearms season begins. Saturday, Nov. 2, is for Maine residents only and general firearms season is Nov. 4-30 for deer.

The same rules apply as in firearms hunting: ask for permission to be on private land; respect no hunting and no trespassing signage; point your bow in a safe direction; nock your arrow only when it’s safe to shoot; always be aware of your target and what’s beyond; have a plan so the meat doesn’t spoil in the warm temperatures; and wear hunter orange, although it’s only required in wildlife management districts where firearms hunting is going on as well.

Archery hunters are reminded to check for any special restrictions such as municipal ordinances that may not allow crossbows.

Archery hunters also should be aware there were law changes in 2024 that bring crossbows under the larger category of archery. Bowhunting with a bow and arrow is now under an archery license, as are crossbows.

Hunters no longer need a special permit for crossbow hunting.

Hunters with archery licenses may use a crossbow in their expanded archery permit area, but may not use it during muzzleloader season. The archery license lets people hunt game in all legal seasons, except deer during muzzleloader.

Those who want archery licenses must take an archery education course, which also includes crossbow safety, or have held an adult archery license in Maine any year after 1979 or a crossbow permit before 2024.

Native Americans are exempt from the requirement to take a safety course.