Every year, I talk to numerous hunters who bemoan the fact that they didn’t receive an any-deer permit – most often called a “doe permit” in these parts – because they didn’t realize that the entry deadline had passed.

My reply to them is always the same (and, for the record, I recognize that it’s also always entirely self-serving and downright annoying).

“Well, if you read my column, that won’t happen next year,” I tell them.

Then I duck, because I’ve learned that doe-permit-less hunters don’t like being told what they should be reading … especially by someone who actually remembered to enter the lottery … and who is doing the writing in question.

As most firearms hunters realize, if you don’t receive an any-deer permit in Maine, you’re essentially restricted to “horn hunting” for the regular season on deer.

(Before you e-mail me to demand a correction on that last sentence, rest assured that although I may not be the brightest buck in the bunch, I do know the difference between a horn and an antler, and have chosen the word intentionally. “Antler hunting,” you’ve got to admit, doesn’t roll of the tongue nearly as well).

Alas, I can’t reach everybody to let them know about impending lotteries. But if you do decide to read these pages, I can assure you that from time to time, I’ll help you (and my non-attentive friends, who, by the way, have never explained why they don’t read my column three times a week) avoid missing those important deadlines.

Note to readers (and my non-attentive friends, who we’ve already established will likely not read this): Your deadline for this year’s any-deer lottery is approaching.

Enter. Now. Or live to regret it.

I’m ducking again.

This year there are two important any-deer deadlines to consider.

If you’re of the old school, and want to mail in your application or deliver it to the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife headquarters in Augusta yourself, your magic date is July 15.

If you apply on the Internet, you’ve got until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 1 to take the necessary steps.

Applying on-line is quick and easy, and doesn’t even cost you the price of a stamp. I completed my on-line registration in less than five minutes, and received an immediate e-mail confirmation from the DIF&W.

According to the DIF&W’s Web site, there will be a couple of important changes in the administration of any-deer permits this year.

As a result of that, I can make a guarantee that has nothing to do with my questionable powers of ESP.

Ready? Here goes: YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE AN ANY-DEER PERMIT IN THE MAIL THIS YEAR. I GUARANTEE IT.

Confused? Don’t be.

The DIF&W will not mail anyone an any-deer permit, nor a transportation tag, this year. Instead, you’ll be expected to record your permit number, which will be available on the Internet after the drawing, and present that number at the tagging station.

That’s a major departure from past seasons, and is something that hunters should pay particular attention to. If you hunt, remember that fact. If your hunting buddies are like mine (in that inattentive, don’t-read-the-local-paper kind of way), tell them what they shouldn’t expect.

Or, if you’re feeling particularly nasty, don’t tell them a thing. Just bet them they won’t receive an any-deer permit, and send me a portion of your winnings after you end up looking like a fortune-teller.

Note to my boss: I’m kidding about the gambling. Note to hunters: Just kidding about that thing I wrote to my boss.

The DIF&W suggests that you write the permit number down and keep it with your hunting license, which will also be needed at the tagging station.

If you’ve grown accustomed to receiving an any-deer permit each year, this may be the year that changes.

Due to a harsh winter, the DIF&W has severely reduced the number of any-deer permits that will be handed out this year.

Just 51,850 of the coveted tags will be up for grabs, and they’ll be available in just 11 of the state’s 29 Wildlife Management Districts. A year ago, more than 66,000 any-deer permits were allotted by the state.

If you’re looking to increase your odds of success, you may want to ask for a permit in WMD 23. That district boasts the highest number of permits in this year’s drawing, 9,925. In another perennial favorite, WMD 17, the state will hand out 8,900 permits.

Scott promoted to captain

The Maine Warden Service promoted one of its own late last week, and Bangor area outdoors enthusiasts likely recognize the state’s new warden captain.

Daniel Scott, who has been serving as an investigator out of the Bangor office, began his career in Bangor in 1997, and was a K-9 handler until being promoted to investigator two years ago.

Scott is a highly decorated warden, having received 13 letters of commendation, five letters of recognition, exemplary service awards, Operation Game Thief’s Outstanding Game Warden award, and the K-9 Search & Rescue Award in 2001, 2005 and 2006.

That’s not a bad resume after just 11 years on the job.

According to a DIF&W news release, as the new captain, Scott will be expected to supervise the personnel investigation process, the Investigations Division, the Maine Warden Service training program, the whitewater program, all specialty teams, the technology program, and to act as the landowner relations liaison for the Maine Warden Service.

“Investigator Scott has served the Maine Warden Service with great enthusiasm and professionalism,” Maine Warden Col. Joel Wilkinson said in the news release. “His skills helped to strengthen the level of professionalism in the Investigations Division, and this unit frequently is commended by all prosecutors for its attention to detail and high standards. I’m confident Investigator Scott will continue his tireless work ethic in his rank as captain.”

Congratulations to Scott for a well-deserved promotion.

jholyoke@bangordailynews.net

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