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Maine is establishing an electronic deer tagging system for easier use. (Photo by Bill Konway)

According to a new law, Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife must establish a pilot program for an electronic deer tagging system. Sponsored by Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, the legislation went into effect on September 24, 2025.

The Piscataquis Observer reports that the new system will allow a hunter to enter their harvest information into a digital database without having to stop at a designated registration station. Although Maine has an electronic system for tagging turkeys, it’s the only state in New England that doesn’t offer electronic tagging for deer.

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Bailey says constituent Roger Chisholm of Saco urged her to make it easier for hunters to report their harvests while still providing data for biologists.

“Deer hunting is a tradition that preserves our heritage and promotes the outdoors, in addition to helping folks put food on the table and fill their freezers for the winter,” Bailey said in a statement. “Allowing for the electronic tagging of deer can ensure that hunting is accessible and available to the hunters of today and tomorrow.”

In a written testimony, Chisholm said it’s time for hunters to have an online option for registering deer that still provides the data biologists need. “Whether that offers restricted days to register deer electronically, or restricted zones if needed,” he wrote.

In 2024, hunters took 42,258 deer state-wide, which is the second-highest deer harvest ever for Maine.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife must report back to the Legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee on the pilot program by Jan. 14, 2026.