​The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Deer Project is responsible for managing native white-tailed deer and exotic sika deer. The Deer Project utilizes broad-based deer management techniques to meet their diverse goals, which 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.

During the last couple of decades, the primary focus of the Deer Project has been to slow a rapidly growing deer population. While hunting remains the most cost-effective and efficient population control mechanism available in most Maryland landscapes, continued urbanization has necessitated the development and use of non-lethal techniques where hunting is not practical or acceptable. Therefore, the Deer Project employs a blend of hunting-related deer management methods and proven non-lethal deer management techniques to manage deer.

​ 2020-2034 Maryland White-tailed Deer Management Plan
The 2020 – 2034 Maryland Deer Management Plan provides the foundation for all deer management activities and decisions until 2034. In addition to the plan, deer managers produce annual reports on Maryland deer (both white-tailed and sika) populations and their management.

• Deer Management in Maryland
• Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) - Updated Information
• Deer Disease in Maryland
• 2021-2022 Deer Project Annual Report
• ​ Deer Project Annual Report Archives
• Deer Damage: Deer Management Permit
• Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry
• Teachers! Whitetail Deer Education Trunk Now Available
• White-tailed Deer Biology
• Frequently Asked Questions about White-tailed Deer
• Maryland's Sika Deer
• Deer Fawn Facts
• Antlers Tell Much About Deer
• Managing White-tailed Deer in Suburban Environments - The Cornell University Study
  This paper describes the results of a study conducted by Cornell University designed to assess deer management options in suburban settings.
• Maryland Resident's, Landowner's, and Hunter's Attitudes Toward Deer Hunting and Deer Management 2018​​
  
• "An Evaluation of Deer Management Options"
  This document was collectively developed by the New England Chapter of The Wildlife Society and the Northeast Deer Technical Committee. It was created in 1988 and was revised in 2009 by the Northeast Deer Technical Committee to include the latest information on the available deer management options.
• Deer Hunting: An Effective Management Tool
  This webpage describes how hunting is used as an effective management tool as well as answers some commonly asked questions.
• Deer Hunting - A Valuable Deer Management Tool for Private Landowners
  This webpage describes how hunting can be a useful management tool for private landowners.
• Suburban Deer Management Conference 2019
  (Scroll to the bottom of the page)
  This website provides information on the conference as well as presentations and resources as they relate to suburban deer management.
• Shed Antler Policies
• Illegally-held Captive Deer Policy
• Deer Data Collection Information
• Deer Damage Management Techniques
• Cornell University Community Deer Adviser
• Junior Hunter Certificate
• Deer Hunting in Maryland
• Hunting & Trapping in Maryland

 

 

To learn more, visit the Maryland Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association's website:
http://www.marylandqdma.com/

For more information, please contact:
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife and Heritage Service
Tawes State Office Building, E-1
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 260-8540
Toll-free in Maryland: 1-877-620-8DNR, Ext. 8540

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