On Tuesday, October 11, MDIFW, along with InforME, the state?s Ecommerce internet gateway, launched the antlerless deer permit webpage providing an opportunity for thousands of hopeful hunters ?to purchase an antlerless deer permit. ?
At the time the site went live at 11:00 AM, there were approximately 12,000 people immediately entering the queue. The page saw an inflow rate of up to 600 users per minute! Individuals who visited the page prior the launch at 11:00 AM were put into a virtual waiting room, which helped manage the traffic to the site and prevent it from crashing. The waiting room did not offer any advantage to those who were active on the site prior the launch at 11:00 AM. Those who were in the waiting room or were accessing the site at the time it was launched were given a random number and entered into the queue to wait for their turn to purchase a permit. ?
There were over 20,000 users in the queue for most of the afternoon, with over 70 customers per minute purchasing their permits. Those who were waiting in the queue were able to leave the page and come back to it without losing their place in the queue and once their it was their turn they had 30 minutes to enter the queue to begin their transaction. By 4:00 PM everyone in the queue had been moved through to the purchase site and over 16,000 permits were purchased. ?
At this time, over 20,000 permits have been sold through the online purchasing site. Hunters can now access the site with no wait times and permits remain available for purchase times in districts 22, 23, 24, 25 and 29. ?
If there are antlerless deer permits remaining after the start of the firearms season, hunters may purchase one additional permit. Hunters will be notified of the opportunity on the MDIFW website in early November.??
The Department is always striving to improve processes and is reviewing the system to improve the customer experience for 2023.?
We share our sincere gratitude for your patience as we worked through the challenges of the initial launch of the site on October 5. We hope hunters will take advantage of the opportunity to harvest an additional deer this season by utilizing an antlerless deer permit and enjoy a safe and successful hunt!???
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Where can I purchase a permit?
Online only on the MDIFW website.
How will proceeds from the antlerless deer permit fee be used?
Antlerless deer permits are?$12 (plus $2 agent fee). Proceeds from this permit will help fund the acquisition and management of deer wintering areas (DWAs), primarily in northern Maine.
How many antlerless deer permits can I purchase?
At this time only one antlerless deer permit may be purchased online.
If you already purchased an antlerless deer permit that was issued through the lottery, you can purchase a second antlerless deer permit online.
If there are antlerless deer permits remaining after the start of the firearms season, hunters may purchase one additional permit. Hunters will be notified of the opportunity on the MDIFW website in early November.??
Who can purchase a permit online?
All hunters, including those who did not apply to the lottery, those who received a permit through the lottery, and those that applied to the lottery but did not receive a permit through the lottery, may purchase an antlerless deer permit online on a first come, first served basis.?
I received an Antlerless Deer Permit through the lottery and claimed it. Do I need to use that permit before purchasing another?
No.
I purchased a permit, but do not know my permit number. Where can I find it?
Click here to open the Purchased Permit Lookup.
Can I swap or transfer an antlerless deer permit?
Antlerless deer permits may not be swapped or transferred.
Where can I find public land hunting opportunities?
Maine has over 17 million acres of extraordinary land available to hunters. When it comes to finding where you want to hunt, you have two options: private land or public land. Click here to learn about Wildlife Management Areas and other public land open to hunting, as well as what to ask when seeking landowner permission.
Which WMDs still have permits available?
Hunters cannot see real-time availability until they log in to purchase a permit. Below you will find available permits as of October 14 at 9:20 AM:
| WMD/Subunit |
# of Permits Available |
| 22 |
2706 |
| 23 |
1109 |
| 24 |
4968 |
| 25 |
7487 |
| 29 |
972 |
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