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Licensed junior hunters are allowed to harvest a deer on Friday or Saturday, an opportunity to try their luck before the firearms season opens for adults.

For 20-plus years, the state offered a single Youth Deer Hunting Day. In 2023, Maine expanded that program to two days. Any child under 16 years old can get a junior license and must be accompanied on Youth Deer Hunting Days by an adult who meets certain licensing or safety criteria.

Archery season for deer is already underway and will end in most parts of the state on Oct. 30. Firearms season for deer starts for adult residents on Oct. 31 and nonresidents on Nov. 2. The last day for residents and nonresidents is Nov. 28.

Muzzleloader season for deer starts Nov. 30 and ends Dec. 5 in most parts of the state. The season extends in December only in certain districts.

In 2025, the total number of deer harvested was 55,876 — many more than other types of large game, according to data on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.

For more information about Youth Deer Hunting Days, as well as general regulations, such as season dates and bag limits, visit the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.