06/15/2026
Maine’s IFW Wants More Deer Killed in a Brutal Way — Speak Out Now
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to expand the areas open to archery deer hunting. The proposal would add land areas, join and consolidate several archery zones along the southern and central Maine coast, and add some coastal islands to allow archery deer hunting. IFW says the change is meant to increase deer “harvest” opportunities in places where deer management is difficult and doe “harvest” is below desired levels.
This proposal would widen a hunting method that already raises serious animal welfare concerns. Peer-reviewed studies have found that archery deer hunting can produce significant wounding losses, and some deer die hours, days, or more than a week later from their injuries. That means real deer are struck, panic, flee, bleed, hide, and sometimes die slowly from infection, exposure, dehydration, starvation and other painful realities. Wild animals are not crops, and this is not a harmless way to “harvest” them.
Just as important, many people are frustrated that IFW appears only responsive to so-called "consumptive users" of wildlife, especially sport hunters and recreational trappers who want more opportunities to kill. Meanwhile, giving far less weight to the interests of people who want wildlife protected and left to watch, photograph and enjoy alive. This proposal is a clear example of that problem: instead of prioritizing animal welfare or nonlethal and ecological management, the agency is choosing to expand a lethal act against wild animals.
If IFW believes deer numbers are too high, then it should not simply expand deer killing. It should seriously reduce or halt the trapping and hunting pressure on Maine’s native deer predators — especially bobcats, coyotes, and black bears — which are documented predators of deer fawns and, in some settings, important deer predators overall. Research and state wildlife materials note that coyotes, bobcats, and black bears all prey on deer fawns, and that these predators can affect large populations. If the goal is truly deer population control, then native predators should not be maligned and killed while more archery killing is added on top.
The public comment deadline is July 10, 2026. Please make sure to send your comments ASAP to:
Becky Orff
Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
353 Water Street, 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333
[email protected]
Send a copy of your comments to: Commissioner Tim Peabody: [email protected]
IFW has also scheduled a public hearing for June 30, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.in Augusta, with an online option available. Please contact us if you would like to go in person or virtually!
WHAT TO SAY IN A COMMENT:
You can tell IFW:
* Identify yourself as a resident of Maine (if you are ) or a frequent visitor to Maine (if you are)
* You do not want expanded archery deer hunting in the Pine Tree State
* Archery hunting causes avoidable wounding, fear, pain, and suffering.
* Deer may be wounded and die slowly, hours, days, or more than a week later.
* IFW should not keep prioritizing the desires of so-called "consumptive users" of wildlife, especially sport hunters and recreational trappers who want more opportunities to kill. They are a minority of Mainers.
* If deer numbers are truly too high, reduce pressure (decrease trapping and hunting) on native predators such as bobcats, coyotes, and black bears instead of expanding deer killing by humans.
* Consider nonlethal management options, especially for islands and other hard-to-access places.
SAMPLE COMMENT:
As a resident of Maine, I oppose the proposed expansion of archery deer hunting in the state. The proposal would add more areas where deer may be wounded, lost, and left to suffer. Peer-reviewed studies show that archery hunting can lead to significant wounding losses and delayed deaths. That means deer can experience fear, pain, and prolonged death after being shot. IFW appears only responsive to so-called "consumptive users" of wildlife, especially sport hunters and recreational trappers who want more opportunities to kill, while ignoring the welfare of the animals themselves, as well as those of us who enjoy watching wildlife. If deer numbers are truly too high, the state should also reduce pressure on native predators such as bobcats, coyotes, and black bears, which naturally prey on deer fawns. Maine should reject this proposal and choose less harmful wildlife management approaches instead.
