ANNAPOLIS, Md.- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced Friday that hunters reported taking 36,088 deer during the statewide two-week firearm deer season, which ended on Dec. 8.
This harvest represents a 13 percent decline compared to the 41,421 deer taken during the 2011 firearm season, according to the DNR. The department said its biologists believe the decline this year is primarily because of bad weather on key hunting days and an abundance of acorns that resulted in deer moving less.
According to the DNR, the two-week firearm harvest was comprised of:
- 12,329 antlered and 22,721 antlerless white-tailed deer;
- 451 antlered and 587 antlerless sika deer;
- 4,169 deer harvested on Sundays.
Region A deer hunters (Garrett, Allegany, and western Washington counties) reported 4,018 deer harvested during the two-week season, down 19 percent from last year's harvest of 4,962. Region A harvest was comprised of 2,533 antlered deer and 1,485 antlerless deer.
The Region B deer harvest declined 12 percent from last year's reported harvest of 36,397 deer to 32,070 deer. Region B harvest was comprised of 10,247 antlered deer and 21,823 antlerless deer.
Junior hunters harvested 2,636 deer during the November Junior Deer Hunt weekend, a decline of 13 percent from last year's 3,035 deer. Junior hunters reported 1,451 antlered deer and 1,185 antlerless deer.
Hunters can find complete bag limits, season dates, deer registration procedures and hunting regulations at dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide. The 2012-2013 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping also contains detailed information on all of Maryland's hunting seasons.
Hunters with any questions may contact the Wildlife & Heritage Service at (410) 260-8540.
(Photo: MGN)
