Submitted by:
L. Douglas Hotton, Deer Project Leader
George Timko, Deer Biologist
Brian Eyler, Game Data & Research Project Leader
May 1, 2007

Introduction
The Deer Project conserves and manages native white-tailed deer and the exotic sika deer.  The goals of the Deer Project are to ensure the present and future well-being of deer and their habitat; maintain deer populations at levels necessary to ensure compatibility with human land uses and natural communities; encourage and promote the recreational use and enjoyment of the deer resource; and inform and educate Maryland citizens concerning deer biology, management options, and the impacts that deer have on landscapes and people. 

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) utilizes broad-based deer management techniques to meet these goals.  Hunting remains the most cost-effective population control mechanism available in most Maryland landscapes.  DNR employs a blend of hunting related deer management methods and proven non-lethal deer management techniques.  Maryland Deer Project staff annually attend deer conferences to exchange information regarding any experimental initiatives for suburban and urban locales.  This broad-based philosophy of deer management ensures a comprehensive long-term management approach.

Maryland Public Attitudes Regarding Wildlife Management
Deer management through hunting is most effective when the public supports hunting.  A 2003 scientific survey conducted by Responsive Management indicated that  78% of Marylanders approve of hunting.  Eighty-five percent of Maryland citizens agree that hunting and fishing are part of scientific management for healthy fish and wildlife populations.  In addition, the same survey found that 9 out of 10 Marylanders rate Maryland DNR biologists as credible for information regarding wildlife.

Deer Hunting Economics
Every 5 years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conduct a nationwide survey of fishing, hunting and other fish and wildlife recreational activities.  The most recently published survey (2001) documents the growing positive economic benefit of deer hunting to Maryland.

Retail sales of deer hunting equipment and supplies produced $82.3 million for Maryland's economy.  When this initial spending is multiplied by the accumulative effect to the economy, the total rises to $156 million.  Both totals increased by over 100% from the 1996 survey.  Total payroll and profits spawned by firms affected by Maryland's deer hunting industry topped $37 million, a 65% increase over 1996 figures.  Over $4.1 million in Maryland sales tax is collected due to Maryland deer hunting.  The deer hunting industry in Maryland contributed $1.4 million in Maryland state income taxes and $6.3 million in federal income taxes.   

White-tailed Deer History
Prior to the arrival of European immigrants, white-tailed deer inhabited all of Maryland and eastern North America.  Native Americans hunted deer during all seasons.  In Maryland, wolves and mountain lions preyed on all age classes and sexes of white-tailed deer.

The first European settlers in Maryland found ample white-tailed deer populations.  Deer meat and hides provided them with food and clothing.  Venison recipes from those early settlers have been passed down through generations.

As the colony prospered and human populations multiplied, unregulated market hunting and the destruction of habitat (deforestation) caused deer populations to decline drastically throughout the 1700s.  Market hunters sold deer meat to colonists and shipped deer hides to England's booming leather industry.  With settlements expanding across the state during the 1800s, deer populations continued to drop, and mountain lions and wolves were exterminated.  By 1900, white-tailed deer only inhabited limited sections of far Western Maryland.

Since the birth of wildlife management in the early 1900s, Maryland's deer population has expanded into all habitats.  State wildlife biologists, working hand-in-hand with private citizens, restocked the white-tailed deer to all available habitats in the state.  Some native deer were trapped in Western Maryland and released into unoccupied habitat.  A few deer were obtained from other states and released across Maryland.  The majority of deer stocked after World War II came from a large population inhabiting Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Harford County.  Deer relocation efforts ended in the early 1960s as all unoccupied deer habitat was stocked.

Early hunting seasons of the 1930s and 1940s prohibited the taking of antlerless deer in order to allow for the continued growth and expansion of relocated deer herds.  As deer numbers climbed and all deer habitat became populated, deer seasons and bag limits became more liberal.  Across Maryland, current deer seasons and bag limits encourage the harvest of antlerless deer in order to manage deer populations.  At the same time, these regulations encourage hunters to be more selective with antlered buck harvest.

Since white-tailed deer thrive in habitat that is composed of woods and openings, the expansion of housing developments into forests or onto farms provides excellent white-tail habitat.  Streets and home sites created in a wooded area produce habitat preferred by white-tailed deer.  Open farm fields become better deer habitat as new homeowners plant trees and shrubs on their bare home site.  Deer populations have escalated in these suburban landscapes where exceptional habitat is available and hunting becomes limited.

Sika Deer History
Maryland sika deer are originally from Yakushima Island in southern Japan and can be found in the marshes, swamps and associated woodlands, and agricultural fields in portions of the lower Eastern Shore.  Populations exist mainly in Dorchester County and on Assateague Island in Worcester County.  However, harvest data and reported sightings indicate that sika deer are slowly expanding into similar but more limited marshy habitat in portions of Caroline, Somerset, Talbot and Wicomico counties. 

Sika deer became established on the lower Eastern Shore after being released by Clement Henry on James Island (Dorchester County) and by Dr. Charles Law on Assateague Island (Worcester County) during the early 1900s.  Exactly how they initially made their way from Japan to the Eastern Shore is unknown.  The small number of sika deer in the original stock (approximately 6 individuals) has resulted in relatively low genetic variability within the population today.  However, Maryland sika deer display no ill effects from the small founder population and appear as healthy or healthier than native white-tailed deer.  Currently, DNR's sika deer management goal is to maintain this exotic species at current levels so that hunting opportunities are balanced with agricultural depredation and whitetail competition issues across the lower Eastern Shore.

Sika deer hunting is very popular in Dorchester County and on Assateague Island.  Nonresidents and hunters from other areas of Maryland now travel to the lower Eastern Shore with hopes of taking a trophy sika stag of 6 to 8 antler points.  Professional guide services are available that cater exclusively to sika deer hunters.  Based on recent 5-year averages, approximately 7,000 hunters pursue sika deer with firearms each year for an average of 4.1 days per year.  About 4,600 muzzleloader hunters stalk sika deer each year for 3.6 days per year.  Similarly, approximately 3,700 bowhunters pursue sika deer each year for an average of 6.9 days per year.  After 2 years of crossbow sika deer hunting, hunter surveys indicate that an average of 327 hunters stalked sika deer with crossbows.

Past biological data collected by DNR indicate that the average field-dressed weight of a 1.5 year-old male sika deer averages 53 pounds, while 3.5+ year-old males top 80 pounds.  Sika stags that were 3.5+ years of age averaged 5.5 antler points, while 2.5 year-old deer had 4.1 points.  Field-dressed yearling (1.5 years old) females averaged 45 pounds with 3.5+ year-old females weighing about 60 pounds.

Sika deer tend to use different habitats than native white-tailed deer that share the same area.  Although home range sizes are similar between the 2 species, sika deer use forested wetlands, marshes, and the interface between these 2 habitats much more than white-tailed deer.  Sika deer do not appear to rely on agricultural lands like white-tailed deer do.  It is unknown whether sika deer prefer the forested wetlands and marshes of Dorchester County, or if competing white-tailed deer relegate them there.

Previous DNR research confirmed that sika deer have lower reproductive potential than white-tailed deer.  Sika females tend to bear a single calf while white-tailed females over 1.5 years old frequently bear twin fawns.  DNR's research found that about 25% of sika female fawns were pregnant while up to 50% of white-tailed female fawns had bred.  Currently, DNR is conducting a pilot study on Assateague Island to see if radio transmitters can be effectively used to locate newborn calves to further our knowledge on sika birth rates and calf survival.

Sika deer in Maryland appear to be long-lived compared to white-tailed deer.  Tagged individuals from previous research studies have been harvested or observed 10+ years after they were initially captured.  Numerous sika deer aged by DNR staff often have teeth worn below the gum line indicating significant age.  One sika female was aged at 20+ years using the cementum annuli aging technique.  The longer life span of sika deer may result from their use of habitat that is more difficult to hunt, thus, not as many are harvested each year as compared to white-tailed deer.  As more information is collected on sika deer in Maryland, it becomes apparent that more research is needed to understand their life history traits and the role they play in the ecosystem.  Food habits, timing of reproduction, and calf survival are several of the questions to be addressed in future studies.  

2006-07 Deer Hunting Regulation Changes
New regulations aimed at preventing the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) were introduced in 2006.  A person may bring only the following parts of a dead cervid into Maryland from an area indicated as positive for CWD in free-ranging or captive cervids: (1) meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached; (2) meat without backbone; (3) cleaned hide with no head attached; (4) skull plate cleaned of all meat and brain tissue; (5) antlers with no meat or soft tissue attached; (6) upper canine teeth, also known as buglers, whistlers, or ivories; and (7) finished taxidermy mount or tanned hide.

Any person who imports or possesses a cervid carcass or part of a cervid that was tested for CWD in another state or province and is notified that the cervid tested positive, must report the test results to Maryland DNR within 24 hours of notification.

Due to expanding sika deer populations into wetland landscapes, Caroline and Talbot counties were opened to sika deer hunting in 2006.

2006-07 Deer Harvest
The 2006-07 deer hunting seasons provided 900,000 days of outdoor recreation for thousands of Marylanders.  Friends and families of hunters prepared venison dinners from recipes enjoyed by many generations.  During 2006, Maryland deer hunters donated over 61 tons of venison to the needy through the nonprofit organization Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. 

Maryland's total deer harvest for 2006-07 was 91,930 (Table 1), which represents a 2% decrease from the 94,052 deer taken in 2005-06 (Figure 1). Antlered bucks numbered 33,114 and antlerless deer (48,005 does and 10,811 button bucks) totaled 58,816 (Figure 2).  Compared to 2005-06, the harvest of antlered bucks remained stable (+.8%) and the harvest of antlerless deer dropped by 4%. 

Bow Season
Maryland's bow season opens in mid-September and closes at the end of January.  In 2006, license sales indicated that about 50,600 residents and 7,100 nonresidents purchased bow stamps that are required to bow hunt for deer.  Each Maryland bowhunter hunts deer for about 13 days.  Typically, about 35 % of archery hunters take 1 deer or more each year.

In 2006-07:  

• Bowhunters took 21,991 deer, including 8,631 (39%) antlered bucks and 13,360 (61%) antlerless deer (11,498 does and 1,862 button bucks) (Table 1). 

• The antlered bow harvest increased by 2.4% and the antlerless bow harvest climbed by 3.1% over the previous year.

• Crossbow hunters took 306 antlered deer and 751 antlerless deer during the crossbow season (Table 2).

• Eighty-three percent of the archery harvest came from private lands.

• Bowhunters took 317 deer (147 antlered, 170 antlerless) on Sundays open to bowhunting on private land across 14 counties (Table 3).

• Bowhunters bagged 43 deer (24 antlered, 19 antlerless) during the 5 bow hunting Sundays in Dorchester County.

Firearm Season
About 60,000 firearm hunters averaged 5.2 days hunting during the firearm season.  Approximately, 45% of firearm hunters bag at least 1 deer each year. 

In 2006-07:

• The firearm harvest totaled 49,805 compared to 51,826 in 2005-06, a drop of 4% (Table 1).

• The number of antlered deer taken was 17,891 (36%) and 31,914 antlerless deer (64%) were harvested.

• The harvest of antlered bucks decreased slightly by less than 2% (1.8%) and the antlerless harvest (25,456 does and 6,458 button bucks) dipped by 5%. 

• Eighty-six percent of the firearm harvest comes during the 2-week firearm season (Table 4).

• Firearm hunters took 54% of all deer harvested in Maryland compared to 55% last season (Figure 1).

• Eighty-seven percent of the firearm harvest was taken from private property.

• Firearm hunters bagged 2,517 deer (1,046 antlered, 1,471 antlerless) on Sunday, November 26, 2006 across private lands in 14 counties (Table 3).

• The 2-day either sex hunts for Region B were held on January 5 and 6, 2007 (Table 5).  Hunters took 2,623 deer during this late season.  Over 78% of this harvest was antlerless deer.

• Included within the total firearm harvest are 1,797 deer (1,030 antlered, 767 antlerless) taken in Maryland's Junior Deer Hunt (Table 6).  The 1-day Junior Deer Hunt requires an unarmed licensed adult over 21 years of age to accompany each young hunter.  This provides an opportunity for an elder's instruction in safety, hunting techniques, ethics, appreciation of the outdoors, and passing on of the hunting tradition.   

Muzzleloader Season
In 2006-07, the statewide, either sex muzzleloader season included 3 days in October (October 19 - 21) and 2 weeks during late December (December 16 - 30).  Region B conducted a 6-day antlerless only muzzleloader season (October 23 - 28).  This provided for additional deer population management through antlerless deer harvest.

Resident hunters purchased 62,200 muzzleloader stamps and nonresident hunters bought 7,800 muzzleloader stamps.  The stamps are required to hunt deer with a muzzleloader or to hunt deer with a bow during the muzzleloader season.  Maryland muzzleloader hunters pursue deer for about 2.7 days each during the October season and for about 3.5 days in the late 2-week season.  In any given year, about 35% of blackpowder hunters harvest 1 or more deer.

In 2006-07:

• Muzzleloader hunters took 88% of the muzzleloader deer harvest on private lands.

• The muzzleloader harvest totaled to 20,134 in 2006-07 (Table 1).

• The total muzzleloader bag consisted of 6,592 (33%) antlered deer and 13,542 (67%) antlerless deer (11,051 does and 2,491 button bucks).

• Sixty-six percent of the deer taken by muzzleloader hunters were bagged during the October hunts. 

• Overall, the 2006-07 muzzleloader antlered harvest increased by 6.4%, while the antlerless harvest declined by 7.6 % compared to the 2005-06 season.

• During both early 2006-07 October seasons, 4,807 antlered deer and 8,383 antlerless deer were taken (Table 7).

• The 6-day antlerless-only Muzzleloader Season accounted for 3,065 antlerless deer, down 23% from the previous year.

• The 2-week late season harvest consisted of 1,777 antlered deer and 5,147 antlerless deer (Table 8).

Maryland DNR Deer Plan
DNR’s Deer Project will be revising the 10-Year White-tailed Deer Management Plan during 2007.  The Deer Plan guides all phases of deer management including proposed deer hunting regulations for the 2008-2009 deer hunting seasons.  Public input plays a major role in this revision process.  DNR will announce the progress of the plan revision process and alert citizens for opportunities for public input.  The Deer Project looks forward to your suggestions and recommendations.

Impact of Hunting on Deer Numbers and Ecosystems
Maryland hosted the 30^th Annual Meeting of the Southeast Deer Study Group.  The meeting theme was “Deer and Their Influence on Ecosystems”.  Three research presentations documented deer browsing impacts in 4 Maryland public natural areas.  Studies revealed that high deer populations on Assateague Island National Seashore and on Soldier’s Delight Natural Environmental Area are negatively affecting endangered plants. 

The unmanaged deer herd on Catoctin National Park has retarded forest regeneration, reduced understory vegetation cover and biodiversity, and diminished ground nesting birds.  In stark contrast, deer management through Maryland’s deer hunting seasons and bag limits provide for lower deer numbers and better plant and animal ecological conditions on the nearby Frederick City Watershed.

Deer Research and Data Use
The 2006-07 deer season marked the second year that DNR staff collected deer age and biological data from butcher shops.  However, the data collection protocol was modified in 2006-07 to increase the accuracy of the sample.  Instead of collecting data during the 2-week firearm season, as was done in the past, DNR staff and volunteers collected half of their samples during early muzzleloader season and half during the 2-week firearm season.  Splitting the sample gives a better estimate of the herd age distribution since nearly half of the yearly harvest now occurs before the 2-week firearm season.  Preliminary results suggest that the early-season harvest (bow and early muzzleloader) contains a higher percentage of yearling bucks than does the firearms season. 

In all, 4,771 deer were examined across the state during the 2 seasons in 2006-07.  Deer examined at butcher shops were sexed, aged, and antler measurements were recorded for bucks.  Deer were also checked for evidence of illness or disease.  The yearly sample of hunter-killed deer provides valuable information that is used to estimate deer population numbers and to detect any changes in deer herd reproductive potential.  It is also used to monitor the overall health of deer and the effects of season and bag limits changes that are made to better manage deer populations.

Staff and volunteers determine the age of each deer by the wear and replacement of its teeth.  As young deer get older, their milk teeth are replaced with permanent teeth.  As adult deer age, their permanent teeth begin to wear down.  This enables biologists to reliably categorize deer as fawns (less than 1 year old), yearlings (approximately 1.5 years old) or adults (2 years and older).  The proportion of deer in each age class and their gender are then used in reconstruction models to develop and follow trends in the state's deer population.

Measurements of antler beam circumferences of yearling male deer that are brought to butcher shops are used as indicators of the reproductive potential and health of the deer herd.  Yearling males in good habitat with moderate deer numbers will weigh more and have larger antler beam diameters than those in higher populations or poorer habitat.  Abundant food and modest competition translates into more energy available for antler and body growth.  This is most evident in the yearling age class.  Trends in these measurements can indicate deer herd over-population and habitat degradation.  Overall, Maryland's long-term data for these indicators show healthy, productive deer populations across the state Table 9.

Sampled deer are also examined for evidence of hemorrhagic disease; a viral disease spread by biting midges.  Hemorrhagic disease, or "Blue-tongue", commonly appears in late summer and early fall.  Deer that have survived hemorrhagic disease and are harvested will exhibit hooves with sloughing or peeling tissue.  These deer are still suitable for human consumption.  Hemorrhagic disease (HD) occurs yearly in Maryland, although it varies in intensity.  The results of this statewide examination are reported to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) in Athens, Georgia as part of a nationwide survey.  This HD study is one of the oldest and most complete nationwide wildlife disease investigations in the country.

CWD Research
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a disease of the central nervous system that causes death in cervids.  CWD has historically been a disease of the West, although it is now east of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin, Illinois, New York and West Virginia.  Since 2002, over 3,500 samples have been collected from Maryland deer and tested for CWD.  In 2006, 993 deer were tested for CWD.  Testing in Maryland is a precautionary measure and CWD has not been found in Maryland.

West Virginia detected CWD in free-ranging deer during 2005 in Hampshire County, approximately 11 miles south of the Maryland-West Virginia border of Allegany County.  To date, West Virginia DNR has found 13 deer with the disease.  In response to their discovery, Maryland’s Deer Project increased CWD sampling rates in Allegany County and collected samples from hunter-killed deer, road kill deer, and deer taken under Deer Management Permits.  A total of 120 samples were collected in Allegany County in 2006 and none indicated CWD.

Bowhunter Survey
Beginning with the 2002-03 hunting season, DNR conducted the first Bowhunter Survey to gather observational data about furbearers, deer and other species.  Deer bowhunters recorded the number of animals observed during each hunt.  Each year, a random sample of 10,000 to 20,000 bowhunters are sent a survey and asked to participate.  If you are a bowhunter and don't receive a survey but would like to participate, contact Robert Colona (410-221-8838, Ext 101) or download the survey from the DNR Website.  The complete results for these surveys pertaining to deer can be found on the DNR website or by contacting Brian Eyler (301-842-0332).

In the 2004-05 survey, Maryland's bowhunters recorded the following statewide information regarding deer:

• Statewide White-tailed Deer Sex Ratios- 1 adult buck per 2.9 adult does.  The Appalachian Plateau Region had the highest sex ratio with 1 adult buck per 5 does and the Western Coastal Region contained the lowest sex ratio of 1 adult buck per 2.3 adult does.

• Statewide White-tailed Deer Reproductive Rate- .52 fawns per each adult doe.  The most productive section of the state was the Eastern Coastal Region (.63) and the least productive section was the Piedmont Region (.42).

Cooperative Deer Management Between DNR and Maryland’s Counties
Since 1994, DNR has promoted deer management cooperative relationships with Maryland counties.  Montgomery County and Howard County both developed their own deer management units manned by professional staff.  DNR works closely with both counties regarding the evolution of countywide deer management efforts.  Both counties have implemented nonlethal and lethal deer management programs while maintaining public support and DNR cooperative advice and guidance.  DNR staff participates in county deer management workshops, reviews and advises on county deer management plans and issues appropriate state permits for deer management activities. 

In June 2006, Montgomery County issued a press release titled “Deer Overpopulation Reduced in Montgomery County”.  The press release stated- “Implementation of long-term, effective deer management strategies is beginning to reduce the overpopulation of deer and their negative impacts on farm crops, landscaping and deer related collisions in Montgomery County . . . .  “. 

Phil Norman, Howard County Deer Biologist, indicates that Howard County residents support sound scientific deer management practices implemented across the county.  Phil observes that only a small group of folks still have reservations regarding deer management techniques. 

DNR encourages other counties to follow the lead of Montgomery and Howard counties to develop a cooperative deer management relationship with the Deer Project.  Interested county staff should contact George Timko, Maryland DNR Suburban/Urban Deer Biologist, at 301-948-8243.

Suburban Deer Management
Deer management in suburban areas ranks as one of the most difficult challenges facing wildlife agencies throughout the country.  Maryland’s Deer Project is charged with managing deer across the state's varied landscape for a diverse public with different opinions on deer management issues.  This includes the large suburban corridor in the midsection of the state.

Maryland is developing rapidly with its increasing human population.  Conversion of forested and agricultural lands into housing developments improves habitat conditions for deer.  Developed areas experience improved deer survival and population increases.  More deer lead to a greater number of negative interactions with suburban residents, decreasing their tolerance of deer.

Safety concerns and social considerations in urban areas often prevent the use of many lethal deer population control measures.  Non-lethal control measures, most often used in developed areas, can help reduce deer problems but they do not eliminate them.  They also do not address the troubles that result from high deer numbers.  Increased deer-vehicle collisions, damage to ornamental plants and gardens, and damage to natural habitat are some problems that have resulted from this hands-off style of deer management. 

Nonlethal methods can help reduce some of the damage that deer cause and serve to increase public tolerance of deer.  When public tolerance levels have been surpassed, lethal methods are often considered.  Certain lethal methods can be applied to decrease the numbers of deer in suburban areas and reduce deer problems. 

Effective Suburban Deer Management
Some deer management techniques are more effective than others at resolving deer-human conflicts.  No single method can completely resolve all deer problems.  Some are applicable only in certain situations.  Often, a combination of non-lethal and lethal techniques is applied to help resolve deer problems, particularly in suburban areas.  The Deer Project will continue to evaluate new techniques for their effectiveness and suggest proven methods to help reduce deer-human conflicts. 

Deer Management Information
A section of the DNR website is devoted to public education on deer and deer management options.  Information on nonlethal and lethal methods is provided at www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/ddmtintro.asp.  Further information and assistance can be obtained from the Urban Deer Biologist at Seneca Wildlife Office, 11960 Clopper Rd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878, 301-948-8243.

Public Property Deer Management
DNR provides assistance to local governments, communities, and publicly owned properties that choose to address deer population issues.  Public entities that desire to conduct hunts outside of the regional deer hunting season framework may do so with prior approval of DNR.  Managed hunts are used to help control deer populations under special conditions on properties where stricter control of hunters is required.  This allows each facility to manage deer hunting to complement their mission.  Military bases and agricultural research facilities, as well as state, county, and municipal parks have developed deer hunting programs in conjunction with DNR. 

To improve opportunities for the public to qualify for managed hunts, the Urban Deer Biologist guides the statewide Shooter Qualification Card program.  This program provides public access to shooting ranges where hunters can become certified at the standards required to apply for managed hunts held across the state.  Total deer taken on Maryland public lands during the 2006-07 hunting seasons are found in Appendix 1.

Deer Population
Maryland's deer population prior to the 2006-07 hunting season was estimated at 234,000 deer, a decline of about 13% over the 2005-06 estimate of 269,000.  Trends in deer abundance are commonly monitored using harvest estimates and age structure of the deer herd.  These methods work well in areas where hunters have access to most of the land but are much less reliable for urban/suburban deer populations, where hunting occurs sporadically. 

Liberal antlerless regulations have slowed or halted deer population growth in many areas outside the Washington D.C. to Baltimore suburban corridor.  In some rural counties, the deer population has begun to decline.  DNR is currently investigating additional ways to control deer in the suburban corridor where hunting is inhibited by lack of access to land.

Non-Hunting Mortality
Factors that cause mortality in deer, other than hunting, include disease, young fawn predation by bears and coyotes, collisions with vehicles, and harvest using Deer Management Permits.  Data concerning deer killed by vehicles (Table 10) is reported to the DNR by a broad spectrum of agencies (county police, state police, sheriff deputies, city police, park rangers, county roads and state roads staff, etc).

Because of its many and varied sources, this data is used primarily to support harvest and deer damage trends.  DNR is conducting outreach efforts with the State Highway Administration and each county roads division to increase the accuracy of reporting deer killed by vehicles.  Due to better reporting of deer-vehicle kills, a dramatic increase was noted from 2005 to 2006.

One major insurance company estimates total deer vehicle collisions for each state.  It is based on the firm’s share of the insurance business for each state and the number of accidents reported by their clients.  The insurance industry’s estimate of deer vehicle collisions in Maryland is as follows: 2002-03 - 26,169; 2003-04 - 21,968; 2004-05 - 22,820; 2005-06 - 27,925.

When deer are causing damage to commercial crops, farmers can obtain a Deer Management Permit (DMP) from DNR.  DMPs allow farmers to harvest antlerless deer on their property outside of the regular state hunting seasons and bag limits.  In 2006, a total of 4,752 deer were taken on DMPs compared to 7,178 deer in 2005 (Table 11), a drop of one third.  This is the second consecutive year that a major decline was observed in DMP harvested deer.  Apparently, the continued decline is due to agro-businesses taking advantage of the more liberal bag limits in Deer Management Region B and declining and stable deer numbers in rural portions of the state.   

In recent years, hunters have become increasingly concerned about coyote and bear predation on deer in Western Maryland.  Coyotes have increased in number in Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties over the last 5 years.  Very young fawns in the spring can be a food source for them.  Likewise, the black bear population is expanding and population numbers are at record highs for recent times.  Studies in other states indicate that bears have been shown to be equally effective or more effective at predating fawns than coyotes.

Currently, reproductive data that the Deer Project collects does not indicate coyotes or bears are having a significant impact on the western Maryland’s deer population.  The recent decline in Western Maryland deer numbers can be largely attributed to the relatively high percentage of antlerless deer being taken during the hunting season.  While there's no doubt that coyotes and bears are predating fawns, Maryland’s long-term deer data along with research and experience from nearby states indicate that their effect is minimal.  The vast majority of white-tailed deer give birth to fawns within a 2-4 week period in May and June, which overwhelms predators like coyotes and bears.  During that time, there are far more fawns on the ground than can be consumed by predators, thus ensuring that an adequate number will survive to reproduce in coming years.

The Deer Project will continue to monitor the coyote and bear situation in Maryland and develop alternative management plans if the need arises.

Trophy Deer Contest
Each year the Maryland Bowhunters Society and DNR cosponsor the Maryland Trophy Deer Contest.  This contest recognizes hunters who have harvested trophy bucks and promotes quality Maryland deer through wise management.  The goal of quality deer management is to produce deer numbers that are in balance with the available habitat and have deer that reach maximum size and are in good health.

DNR's deer management practices continue to improve the quality of Maryland's deer herd.  By encouraging antlerless deer harvest and restraining antlered buck harvest, populations will reach appropriate levels while the potential for mature antlered buck survival improves. 

The 2006 Trophy Deer Contest for bucks taken in the 2004-05 hunting season was held during the Frederick Sports Expo at the Frederick Fairgrounds. 

Results of the 2006 Maryland Trophy Deer Contest

The 2007 Maryland Trophy Deer Contest for deer taken during the 2005-06 hunting seasons will be held during the Frederick Sports Expo at the Frederick Fairgrounds on August 17 - 19, 2007.  The Boone and Crockett system scores antlers and both white-tailed and sika entries are accepted.  All entries must be present at the contest.

Maryland All Time Trophy Records
Maryland's best white-tailed deer with typical antlers came from Kent County.  It measured 194 0/8 and was bagged during firearm season in November 2002 by Kevin C. Miller.  The best non-typical antlered white-tailed deer totaled 228 4/8, which Jack Poole bagged in Montgomery County during firearm season on November 1987.

The best typical white-tailed deer taken with archery equipment came from Talbot County and measured 183 3/8.  Petey Councell bagged it on November 11, 1994.  Yates Clagett took the best non-typical white-tailed deer with archery equipment in Prince George's County.  It measured 220 2/8 and was harvested on November 5, 1995.

The best typical white-tailed deer taken with a muzzleloader measured 178 6/8.  John Gweazdowski in Baltimore County took it on January 2, 1994.  William Shields bagged the best non-typical taken with a muzzleloader on December 7, 2001.  Bill took the deer in Talbot County and it totaled 199 3/8.

All top sika deer were taken in Dorchester County.  A sika firearm harvest taken by James Howdyshell on November 30, 1994 measured 75 7/8.  The best sika deer taken with a bow totaled 68 1/8 and was bagged by Theresa Henriksen on October 10, 1996.  Henry Williams Jr. tagged the best muzzleloader sika harvest on December 19, 1992.  This sika deer measured 74 6/8.

Written and Compiled by the Deer Project Staff.
L. Douglas Hotton, Deer Project Leader
George Timko, Deer Biologist
Brian Eyler, Game Data & Research Project Leader

Published by the Wildlife and Heritage Service
Maryland Department of Natural Resources