Maine to Pilot Electronic Deer Tagging for Hunters
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is set to launch a pilot program enabling hunters to electronically tag deer via their smartphones, following the approval of new legislation.
The law, sponsored by Senator Donna Bailey (D-Saco), took effect on September 24, 2025. Bailey credits constituent Roger Chisholm of Saco for inspiring the initiative, aiming to streamline harvest reporting while preserving vital data collection for wildlife managers.
Enhancing Hunting Traditions Through Technology
“Deer hunting remains a key cultural tradition that not only connects people to the outdoors but provides essential sustenance,” Senator Bailey stated. “Implementing electronic tagging will help maintain hunting accessibility and efficiency for future generations.”
Electronic tagging reflects a growing trend among New England states; neighboring New Hampshire already offers online deer registration options. Maine currently permits online registration of harvested turkeys at no cost through mefishwildlife.com/tagaturkey.
Supporting Wildlife Management and Hunter Convenience
Nate Webb, Director of the Wildlife Division at Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, emphasizes the benefits of self-reporting tools for deer hunters. These systems improve data accuracy for population monitoring and allow hunters a more convenient registration process.
In 2024, Maine recorded one of its highest deer harvests in recent history—42,258 deer taken statewide. Accurate and timely harvest reporting is critical for wildlife biologists to manage populations sustainably and ensure herd health.
Next Steps and Legislative Reporting
The department will provide a progress report to the Legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee by January 14, 2026, evaluating the effectiveness of the electronic tagging pilot.
- Program aimed at balancing hunter accessibility with conservation needs
- Potential restrictions on electronic tagging days or zones may be applied
- Supports maintaining robust data for population and harvest management
As white-tailed deer represent a vital component of Maine’s ecosystem and hunting heritage, this initiative offers an important modernization step that is expected to enhance wildlife management and hunter compliance without compromising biological data integrity.
Additional reporting and sources from: Maine hunters may soon be able to tag deer from their phones -Piscataquis Observer
