As firearms season approaches, hunters aim to keep deer population down

Dwight A. Weingarten, The Herald-Mail
·1 min read

Maryland’s deer population had 76,687 fewer deer after last year’s hunting season, which spanned about six months from September 2022 to early February of this year. And with this year’s season already underway, the question remains: How many more will Maryland hunters haul away?

How many deer hunters are in Maryland?

Approximately 125,000 people, or 2% of Maryland’s population, have a license to hunt in the state, a Maryland Department of Natural Resources spokesperson said earlier this year.

Those roughly 125,000 individuals will have the ability to bag two white-tailed bucks during the 2023-2024 season.

“The season provides our hunters with the first of many opportunities to contribute to the management of our state’s deer population,” said the department’s Wildlife and Heritage Service Acting Director Karina Stonesifer, in a release, announcing the start of the archery hunting season in September.

Fidelia Kurtz calls for deer in her hunting stand in Snow Hill on Thursday, Nov 8, 2018.
Fidelia Kurtz calls for deer in her hunting stand in Snow Hill on Thursday, Nov 8, 2018.

More: Will Sunday hunting come to Wicomico, Worcester? Carozza bills aim to widen exception

When does deer season start in Maryland?

The statewide firearm season starts on Saturday, Nov. 25, and goes until Saturday, Dec. 9.

Where is Sunday hunting permitted?

Different jurisdictions have different regulations on when and where Sunday hunting can occur during that period.

A law passed earlier this year expanded Sunday hunting in Wicomico County. Sunday hunting is permitted in Washington County, but that jurisdiction is split into two regions. Sunday hunting is allowed on both public and private lands in region A, covering western Washington County, while only allowed on private lands in region B, which covers the county’s eastern part.

Only three counties (Baltimore, Howard, Prince George’s) do not permit Sunday hunting.

Dwight A. Weingarten is an investigative reporter, covering the Maryland State House and state issues. He can be reached at dweingarten@gannett.com or on Twitter at @DwightWeingart2.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: With the season underway, hunters aim to keep deer population down