Can Mainers Take Down A Deer in the Off Season if it’s On Their Land?

I was driving home a few summers ago and saw a rather gruesome sight...

I was headed out to camp one day after work and when I got near the corner of Levenseller Road and Mann Hill Road in Holden, and I saw a deer head lying in the middle of the road. It definitely grossed me out, but it also left me wondering where the rest of the deer was since it was the middle of July.

Was it a deer that was struck by a car? Or did someone help themselves to some off season venison? Hard to say, but I did find myself wondering if you could take down deer on your own land. And recently, people have been wondering the same thing on Facebook. So... can you?

The laws seem pretty straightforward.

So the short answer, according to the State of Maine is, no you cannot. There are very specific rules when it comes to deer hunting, and even more specifically, when you can hunt them. There are a couple rules that might seem like you can hunt off season on your property, however.

For instance, you can hunt deer on your land with no permit. But... you need to have a minimum of ten acres, and that land has to be for agricultural use only. The other exception is farmers. If there are nuisance animals on their land, they can remove them. But that can't be inferred as it being ok to shoot deer for eating your small garden.

But as far just being able to take down deer on your property whenever you want? No in Maine, bucko. You're going to have to wait until the appropriate season just like everyone else. Luckily, there are plenty. You'll have ample opportunities this fall. Just be patient, hahaha.

Ever spend much time in these sweet spots?