I got curious about this so googled up some kill statistics published by the Maine Sportsman. Near as I could tell,there were 342 bucks killed that qualified for the patch in 2013.Out of a total estimated harvest of some 22,000 deer.
This is not to say the number could have been much higher(maybe double?) because 200 pound bucks could have been killed but not registered in the program by the hunters (you fill out a card and submit it, Some hunters might not care).
Highest number I saw was 772 bucks out of a harvest of some 36,000 animals.Seems the number of 200# bucks taken each year comprises about 1.5% to 2.5% of the total harvest,according to stats that I saw.
I didn't realize how few deer were killed in Maine. Compared to the opening two days in Missouri where 97K+ deer were killed 22K doesn't sound like many for a entire season.
Dink
It's different up here. The whole NH deer herd is estimated at ~74,000.
Closest I've come to 200 was an 8 pointer I popped when I was 16 that went 192, but that was an NH buck, not a Mainer.
