Public Hearing on Potential Deer Hunting Changes on MDI Scheduled for Wednesday
AUGUSTA—The legislative public hearing on potential deer hunting changes on Mount Desert Island, LD 1438, HP 947, is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., at the Cross Building, Room 206, in the State House.
Maine House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) presented the bill to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on April 3. It would make it legal to hunt deer on Mount Desert Island.
The bill, cosponsored by Richard Mason (R-Lisbon), James Thorne (R-Carmel), and David Woodsome (R-Waterboro) consists of one short section. “Mount Desert Island deer hunting rulemaking. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall adopt rules opening Mount Desert Island to deer hunting in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 11402, subsection 4.”
It also contains a summary of substantially the same language. “This resolve directs the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to adopt rules opening Mount Desert Island to deer hunting in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 11402, subsection 4.”
People can testify about the proposal via Zoom, in person, or via a written statement.
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Allowing deer hunting on MDI would be a solution to the over population on MDI. Deer eating gardens in towns during the day says the population has out grown the natural carrying capacity. You can count 30-50 deer from Seawall to the junction of 102 in SWHbr. That is way too many for the area and increases the potential for CWD to wipe out the entire population. I don't want to see sharp shooters paid to eliminate animals but allowing bow or shot gun hunting only would be a benefit to ease the situation we have now. In the 1970s, there was a poaching ring on the Island and we didn't have a deer problem. Most of those who were in the ring have passed on having been replaced by deer feeders which has contributed to over population.