Consider making the switch to lead-free ammunition 

Making a choice to use lead-free ammunition for big game hunting is another way we as hunters can continue to support wildlife, ensure effective harvests, and protect the future of hunting by turning a conservation challenge into an opportunity to demonstrate our conservation leadership and stewardship.

If you are not ready or able to make the switch to lead-free ammunition, there are still ways you can take action such as hiding remains from above by hiding gut piles under the thick cover of conifers, digging a hole, or carrying the gut pile out with you.

Access to Private Land is a Privilege, Not a Right

Be a Good Land User

Always ask permission before hunting on private property and learn what matters most to the landowner. Keep it clean, legal, and respectful. Don't forget to label all treestands and game cameras with your contact information, and ask for permission before putting them on private property (game cameras require written permission). It is up to us, today's hunters, to help maintain access for generations to come.

Submit Observations to Rut Watch

To gather additional information about whitetail rut timing and breeding behaviors from hunters and wildlife watchers, we’ve added the Rut Watch survey to our Maine Deer Spy community science project. 

Participating is easy! When you observe any white-tailed deer breeding season behaviors between October 1 and December 31, please click the link below and submit your observations.

• Location
• Date and time
• Breeding behavior observed: a buck mounting a doe, buck rubs, scrapes, sparring, and/or chasing.