*Be sure that someone knows where you are headed, and when you plan to return.
*Carry emergency survival gear, a flashlight, map and compass, matches and water.
*Stop periodically to eat and re-hydrate yourself.
*Wear two pieces of hunter orange that are in good condition.
*Be sure of your target, and what is beyond it.
*Always keep the muzzle of your firearm pointed in a safe direction.
*Unload your firearm before entering a dwelling, before entering a vehicle, or before storing it.

Hunting Safety Facts

*Over the past five years, 49% of the 55 reported hunting incidents have been self-inflicted injuries.
*Of the remaining incidents, all but one have involved people in their hunting party or other hunters.
*In the state of Maine during the calendar year 2000, there were 169 vehicular fatalities, 12 snowmobiling fatalities (winter 2000-2001), 11 homicides, 9 boating fatalities, 5 ATV fatalities and 3 hunting fatalities.

Maine White-tailed Deer Facts:

*Deer hunting success averaged 20.9% in 2000. Moose hunters had an 86% success rate in 2000 and turkey hunters had a 36% success rate.
*There are approximately 292,000 white-tailed deer in Maine (estimated wintering population this past year).
*Hunters killed 36,885 deer in 2000. 21,422 of those deer registered were antlered bucks, a state record.
*Maine's regular firearm season attracts the most hunters and accounts for the greatest share of the total deer harvest, which includes two archery seasons, the firearm season as well as a muzzleloader season. In 2000, 92% of the total deer harvest was taken during the four-week firearms deer season.
*Maine's residents registered 87 percent of the deer harvest in 2000.
*Success rate of Any-Deer permit holders was 32%.
*Success rate of bucks-only hunters was 12.1%
*WMD 3 in Northeastern Maine has a wintering population that is a low as 2 deer per square mile. Generally, northern and eastern WMDs average less than 8 deer per square mile
*Central and Southern Maine range between 15 and 25 deer per square mile, and WMD 24 has approximately 40 deer per square mile.
*Some southern coastal sections of Maine where hunting access is restricted or denied average 50-100 deer per square mile.
*This year, 54,000 Any-Deer permits were issued, this represents a drop of 23% from 2000 but is slightly higher than 1999 (53,231).
*The peak breeding time for deer in Maine is the third week of November, consistent with the peak for deer breeding activity from Nova Scotia to the Carolinas.