AUGUSTA – Young deer hunters will get a day of their own, archers will get their shot at a fall turkey, and there will be 76,575 any-deer permits available to deer hunters this year.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife commissioner’s advisory council adopted each of these proposed rules Thursday.

Youth Deer Day, Saturday, Oct. 26, is a day set aside for young hunters ages 10-16. Those hunters who possess a junior hunting license and are hunting under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or qualified adult can now take one deer of either sex by firearm or bow and arrow. The accompanying adult can not possess a firearm.

Turkey hunters will now get a chance to chase their quarry during the fall in Maine. The season will run from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1 in southern Oxford, York, Cumberland, Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, and Kennebec counties.

Anyone who possesses an archery license may purchase a permit to hunt wild turkey during this fall season. Only a bow and arrow may be used to hunt turkeys during this season.

The Advisory Council also approved the any-deer permit allocations for the 30 wildlife management districts that encompass the state. The permit numbers are in line with the 75,000 permits recommended in 2000, and it is an increase of 22,000 from the 54,406 permits issued last year.

Maine’s wintering population of deer was estimated at 241,500 deer in 2001. Since December 2000, the statewide herd has declined by roughly 50,000 deer (18 percent) due to the effects of the severe 2001 winter.

Last year’s winter losses of deer were greatest in the spruce-fir zone of Maine (eastern, western, and northern wildlife management districts), while deer losses in central and southern Maine WMDs were less pronounced. While the winter of 2001 was one of the harshest in the past 30 years, the spring of 2001 was good for fawn survival, and last year’s lower deer kill combined with this year’s mild winter have allowed the herd to rebound.

DIFW department uses the any-deer permit system to manage the white-tailed deer population in the state. By controlling the harvest of female deer in 30 regional wildlife management districts throughout the state, biologists can manage population trends.

Wildlife Park open house today

On Saturday, the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray will open its doors for a free open house from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is a chance to come and take a closer look at the wildlife that makes Maine their home and learn more about DIF&W.

The 200-acre park has more than 25 different species of wildlife on exhibit, including moose, black bear, lynx, mountain lions, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, bald eagles, hawks, owls, trophy trout, and more. The open house is sponsored by DIF&W.

At the open house, there will be special demonstrations, displays, and information on topics ranging from radio tracking wild animals to boating safety. DIF&W commissioner Lee Perry as well as Maine game wardens, hatchery personnel, and DIF&W fisheries and wildlife biologists will be on hand.

From the Maine Turnpike, take Exit 11 in Gray. Turn right and head to the first set of lights, left to the second set of lights, and left onto Route 26 North. Travel 3.5 miles north on Route 26 and look for the Maine Wildlife Park sign and entrance on the right.