The new antlerless deer permit (ADP) system has certainly created some confusion among hunters, mostly because of the differences between it and the previous system. It’s really not all that complicated, but even when they figure it out, hunters will have some choices to make regarding how and when to use their permit.

Under the previous system, those selected for an any-deer permit (also ADP, and you can see why there’s confusion) had a choice. They could shoot their one buck allowed with a regular big-game hunting license, or they could instead shoot an antlerless deer. Either way, they only got one deer. Under the new system, their permit is for an extra deer, but it must be antlerless. Whether they shoot the antlerless deer before or after, they can still also take a buck.

Traditionally, a lot of hunters held their any-deer permit as a sort of insurance policy. They would hunt for a buck, but if the season was winding down with no success, they still had their ADP to fall back on. Unfortunately for many, the decision to use it often came too late and they ended up with nothing.

That lack of filled ADPs was a partial reason for the new system. Antlerless harvest is an important component of deer management systems, as does represent the reproductive potential of the deer herd. Under the previous system, wildlife managers could predict roughly how many antlerless deer would he taken for a given number of permits. As results became increasingly less predictable, harvest level objectives weren’t being met.

Under the new system, fewer permits were allotted as it is expected more hunters will use them, or at least try to, because they can still hunt for a buck. However, that still leaves them with the choice of when to use their ADP.

There are some sound reasons why filling that ADP early might be a better option. First, there are more deer out there, making the odds of encountering one better. Second, putting meat in the freezer takes the pressure off, not to mention providing a little confidence booster.

There’s also a biological reason. Some hunters might just as soon keep the does around at least through the rut, as they’ll attract bucks. However, if you remove a few does before the rut, there will be fewer around and bucks will have to travel more to find them, making the bucks more vulnerable.

Furthermore, a buck must expend a certain amount of energy to find a doe, then tend and mate with her. If that doe is then removed from the population after the rut, all that energy expended by the buck is lost, and you’re potentially removing three deer from next year’s population. Taking a doe before the rut only removes one deer, and there will still be plenty left to breed and later bear fawns, and they’ll face less competition for food and space.

There’s also a question of which doe to take. Most hunters aren’t too fussy and are content to take whichever one offers the best shot opportunity. Wildlife managers have determined that a certain number can be safely removed without harming the population, so age and size don’t really matter on a statewide or even districtwide basis.

However, mature does generally make better mothers, bearing and raising more fawns. Thus, removing an adult doe might have a slightly greater impact on local productivity. Yearling does might be a better choice, as they’re more likely to bear a singlet rather than twins, and are somewhat less experienced and effective at raising young.

While it isn’t the preferred choice for most hunters, taking an even younger antlerless deer might even be a better choice. That age class has the highest mortality rate, so a portion of them won’t make it anyway, and hunting mortality is compensatory rather than additive. They have far less reproductive potential, so the impact on productivity is minimal.

Ultimately, it’s the individual hunter’s choice whether or not to shoot an antlerless deer, and if they do, when and which one to shoot. Fortunately, there’s no wrong answer.

Bob Humphrey is a freelance writer and Registered Maine Guide who lives in Pownal. He can be reached at: bhunt@maine.rr.com