AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The deadline to apply for Maine's expanded deer hunt is fast approaching.

SteveOehlenschlager/Thinkstock
SteveOehlenschlager/Thinkstock
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The state gives out "any deer" permits to lottery winners every year. This year, Maine is giving out more than 66,000 of the permits, up from fewer than 46,000 last year.

The deadline to apply for the lottery is Tuesday. The permit lottery is set for Sept. 8.

The state is giving out more permits this year because deer have shown strong survival rates in recent mild winters. The firearms hunting season begins on Oct. 21 with Youth Deer Hunting Day and starts in full on Oct. 30.

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