Any-deer drawing set Oct. 3> 41,700 Mainers get permits for ’97 hunt

A total of 41,700 any-deer permits will be issued during a drawing held by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Oct. 3 at noon in Augusta.

Only deer hunters with a permit will be allowed to hunt anterless deer in Maine. The any-deer permits, which regulate the number of doe deer harvested in Miane each tyear, are an effective wildlife management tool used by wildlife biologists.

The permits are allocated among 18 deer management units based on local deer populations. No permits will be issued in Districts 1, 2, and 3 in northern Maine and in District 17 in Washington County.

The special landowner drawing, which allocates up to 20 percent of 41,700 any-deer permits to qualified landowners who agree not to post their wildlands, will take place Sept. 26 at noon in Augusta.

On Oct. 4, the NEWS will publish the names drawn for the any-deer permits. The permits will be mailed to all hunters by mid-October. Those seeking more information may call at 287-8000 or the automated line at 287-8003.

The DIFW Advisory Council has set the dates for this year’s waterfowl hunting seasons in northern and southern Maine.

In both zones this year, duck hunters will have a 46-day season as compared with 44 actual hunting days last year.

Duck hunters in the northern zone of the state will have a 46-day season running Oct. 1 through Nov. 22. At the request of waterfowlers in northern Maine, the previous split season was eliminated. In both zones, there is a four-bird daily limit, including one black duck.

For the southern zone, the council approved a 46-day split season, which is Oct. 1 through Oct. 21 and Nov. 15 through Dec. 17.

Waterfowlers are reminded that the season on black ducks in both zones does not open until Oct. 11, 10 days after the opening of the regular waterfowl season.

The line dividing the North Zone and the South Zone is as follows: From the Maine-New Brunswick border in Baileyville, Maine, west along Stony Brook to Route 9 in Baileyville. West along Route 9 to Route 15 in Bangor, west along Route 15 to I-95 in Bangor. Southwest along I-95 to Route 202 (exit 30) in Augusta, southwest along Route 202 to Route 11 in Auburn, southwest along Route 11 to Route 110 in Newfield. West along Route 110 to the Maine-New Hampshire border.

In addition to the daily limit of four birds, is a provisional harvest of two additional teal, blue-winged or green-winged.

Again this year, there is a special season on Canada geese Sept. 8 through Sept. 25. The daily limit is three. According to DIFW wildlife biologist Patt Corr, Canada goose populations are on the increase. If this trend continues, Corr expects a return to an October goose season in the fall of 1998 or 1999.

Due to declining wookcock populations along the Eastern Flyway, there is a delay this year in the opening of the woodcock season, which begins Oct. 6 and runs until Nov. 4. The daily bag limit is three. This year’s woodcock season is a 30-day season as compared with a 45-day season last fall.

Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced that Tungsten-iron shot is legal, as well as steel shot and Bismuth-tin shot. A complete set of waterfowl regulations is available from license agents, DIFW in Augusta, or any DIF&W regional headquarters.

Waterfowlers are encouraged to report banded waterfowl by telephoning 1-800-327-BAND.

Ducks Unlimited has its 26th annual banquet on tap this month, as hunters and their guests gather at the Bangor Motor Inn Conference Center on Sept. 25.

The event will feature a social hour from 5:30-6:30 p.m., with dinner to follow. An auction and raffle will also be held.

Tickets prices are $40 for one and $55 for a couple.

New this year is a special Youth Waterfowl Hunt, which takes place Saturday, Sept. 20. Maine is following the lead of other states that have adopted the youth hunt as a way to interest youngsters in waterfowling. During this one-day hunt, all waterfowl rules apply. Youth who take part in this special day must by 10-15 years of age, possess a junior hunting license and can hunt from sunrise to sunset.