AUGUSTA – Preseason scouting can be critical in the success of any hunt, and scouting should include seeking landowner permission on the land you want to hunt, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries Wildlife. Asking for permission only takes a minute, and the time that it takes benefits both you and the future of hunting, DIF&W says.

“Land access is the number one issue facing the sporting public these days,” said Sergeant Dave Peppard of the Maine Warden Service, coordinator of the DIF&W’s Landowner Relations Program. “Private landowners are the most important element to outdoor recreation. Without them and the ability to access their property, opportunities to enjoy the outdoors would be severely restricted.”

Landowners and land users are offered courtesy cards by DIF&W. By exchanging information on a courtesy card, a positive landowner-land user contact is established. Landowners are much more likely to allow access if they have the names and vehicle descriptions of land users, according to DIF&W.

Landowner-land user courtesy cards are available by calling DIF&W at 207-287-8000.

Hunters are also reminded of a new law affecting clothing requirements. The new law amends the law regarding hunter orange by allowing the use of a camouflage jacket, poncho, or vest that must be a minimum of 50 percent hunter orange in color, along with a solid-colored orange hunting hat.

Both articles of hunter orange clothing must be in good and serviceable condition and visible from all sides.

Hunters are reminded that legal hunting hours for deer begin a half hour before sunrise and end 15 minutes after sunset. A sunrise/sunset table is available at license agents and from DIF&W. All times in the table are Eastern Standard Time.

Due to Daylight Savings Time, on Saturday, opening day for Maine residents, the legal hunting hours are 6:40 a.m. until 5:50 p.m. Daylight Savings Time ends later that night.

Monday is opening day for all hunters and the state is operating under Eastern Standard Time. The legal hunting hours are 5:43 a.m. to 4:47 p.m.