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Whitetail Hunting In Maryland:
How Does Your Hunting Area
Compare?
Although Maryland is a relatively small state, our
white-tailed deer can differ in size and other characteristics depending on what
part of the state they are found. Sometimes called America in Miniature,
Maryland’s five physiogeographic provinces no doubt contribute to the physical and demographic differences in our
white-tailed deer population. From the mountains of western Maryland down to
the beaches on the Eastern Shore, deer in Maryland experience a broad range of
climates. The Coastal Plain Province, which borders both sides of the
Chesapeake Bay, offers optimum soil and food resources, often-mild winters, and
as a result, some of the largest white-tailed deer (both body size and antlers)
in the United States. In contrast, Allegany County, located in the Ridge and
Valley Province, has the poorest soils and food resources in the state,
resulting in deer that are often smaller with less antler mass. Move slightly
west to Garrett County and you find yourself in the Appalachian Plateau Province
with better soils and therefore larger deer.
Maryland deer also differ in population density and age
structure depending on where in the state you are hunting. Population densities
tend to be higher in the urban/suburban counties towards the center of the state
where hunters do not have access to land. Likewise, population densities are
higher in western Maryland where most residents have a higher tolerance for
deer. Deer densities tend to be lower on the Eastern Shore and in southern
Maryland where hunters have more access to land and can control deer numbers.
Age structure also differs in these areas as well. Deer tend to grow older in
areas where hunters do not have access, and in areas where hunters prefer one
sex to the other (e.g., there tend to be more older does in the herd in western
Maryland where the traditional “No Doe Hunting” philosophy still lingers in some
areas).
Wildlife and Heritage Service biologists collect biological
data on white-tailed deer each year to monitor herd health and status. Yearling
males are particularly good to focus on because trends in this age class tend to
be good indicators of recent changes in habitat and/or herd health. Generally,
larger antler beam diameters, more antler points, and a lower percentage of
yearling bucks in the antlered harvest indicate a better-balanced deer herd.
For further explanation of DNR data collection procedures
click here.
Follow the links
below for county and Habitat Management Unit (HMU) data on Maryland white-tailed
deer harvest trends:
Yearling Buck Data
Yearling Males - Average Number of Antler Points – 2003-2004 Harvest Data
Yearling Males - Average Number of Antler Points – 5-Year Average (1998-2002)
Yearling Males – Average Antler Beam Diameter – 2003-2004 Harvest Data
Yearling Males – Average Antler Beam Diameter – 5-Year Average (1998-2002)
Yearling Males - Percent of Antlered Harvest – 2003-2004 Harvest Data
Yearling Males - Percent of Antlered Harvest – 5-Year Average (1998-2002)
Yearling Males – Average Weight – 5-Year Average (1997-2001)
Button Buck Data
Button Bucks - Percent of Antlerless Harvest – 2003-2004 Harvest Data
Button Bucks - Percent of Antlerless Harvest – 5-Year Average (1998-2002)
General Harvest Data
Historical Statewide Harvest Trends – 1931-2003
Antlered Harvest Per Square Mile By Habitat Management Unit – 2003-2004 Harvest
Data
Antlerless Harvest Per Square Mile By Habitat Management Unit – 2003-2004 Harvest Data
Fawn:Adult Doe Harvest Ratio – 1988-2003 Average
Maryland Statewide Hunter Harvest Trend And Deer Population Estimate
Deer Hunter Success In Maryland
15-Year Harvest Trends – 1989-2003
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