Deer hunting season in Maine will be expanded this year and applications are now being accepted for the lottery.

Maine is giving out 66.000 permits which are 20,000 more than last year. Maine use any-deer permits that allow hunters to get deer of either sex.

The reason for the increase, according to state wildlife managers is because of recent mild winters more deer survived making the population greater.

Online applications are available www20.maine.gov and are due by the end of the day on Aug. 15. The drawing is scheduled for Sept. 8. The firearms hunting season starts on Oct. 21 with Youth Deer Hunting Day.

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