This publication of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service was written and compiled by the Deer Project Staff. Brian Eyler, Deer Project Leader George Timko, Assistant Deer Project Leader Introduction they might to protect against other pathogens or Another successful deer season has passed and diseases. Additional information on the proper Maryland’s deer population continues to offer great handling of harvested deer and CWD management hunting opportunities for both quality and quantity. can be found in Appendix II. Maryland soils and habitat can grow some of the nicest bucks in the country, and abundant deer The Deer Project numbers enable most hunters to fill their freezer The DNR Deer Project is responsible for with as much venison as they can use. The managing native white-tailed deer and exotic Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would sika deer. The Deer Project utilizes broad-based like to thank all deer hunters in Maryland for aiding deer management techniques under guidance of the Department in effectively managing the deer the current 10-year deer management plan. The population for all citizens of the state. current 2009-2018 plan has five major goals: • Population Goal: Use diverse and progressive 2011-2012 Season methods to ensure the long-term viability of The 2011-2012 deer season proved to be Maryland’s white-tailed deer population through another good one and was the 4th highest harvest comprehensive research, efficient monitoring, on record. Deer hunters reported 98,029 for the public outreach, trained staff and effective year, down slightly from the 98,663 deer taken management. during 2010-2011. The abundant acorn crop • Education Goal: Educate Maryland citizens on in the Fall of 2010 no doubt aided in the quality all aspects of deer biology, including management and number of deer available for the 2011-2012 tools, disease issues, economic aspects and recre- season, and the mild winter we experienced this ational opportunities. year will ensure a quality herd is available for 2012-2013 as well. Chronic Wasting Disease DNR sampled 305 deer during the 2011-2012 season in the Allegany County area and did not detect Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in any of the samples. CWD was first detected in Maryland in February 2011. A hunter in Allegany County reported taking the yearling buck in November 2010 in Green Ridge State Forest, close to where CWD is present in West Virginia. Although CWD was not detected in the samples this year, the disease is still present in West Virginia where it will remain a possible source of infection for Maryland deer in future years. To date, DNR has tested nearly 7,500 Maryland hunter-harvested deer for CWD. CWD is a naturally occurring disease of the brain and nervous system that causes death in cervids. CWD is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) and attacks the brain of cervids, producing small lesions that eventually result in death. CWD historically was a disease of the West, but since 2001 it has been detected east of the Mississippi River in Illinois, Maryland, New York, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Currently 20 states and 2 Canadian provinces have documented CWD in their captive or wild deer, elk, or moose populations. Concerns over CWD should not stop hunters from enjoying the hunting season or any venison they may acquire. CWD has not been shown to be transmissible to humans. However, it is recommended that hunters field-dressing or butch- ering deer should take the same precautions as 1 • Recreation Goal: Provide the opportunity for all Overall, when asked how they prefer the deer citizens to safely, fairly and ethically enjoy diverse population to be managed in their area, the top deer-related recreational experiences and tradi- three responses by the Maryland general public tions consistent with established deer population were: 45% for legal, recreational hunting, 33% trend goals. for birth control/immunocontraception, and 16% • Damage Goal: Identify and actively address the indicated they preferred professional removal via negative impacts the deer population has on sharpshooters. human interests and the ecosystem in a manner consistent with the long term viability of the deer Deer Hunting Economics population in Maryland. Along with the positive recreational benefits • Operational Resources Goal: Ensure that all and population management that deer hunting necessary resources are available to support provides, it also provides significant economic the proper management of white-tailed deer in benefits to Maryland. A survey sponsored by the Maryland. Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies found that The 2009-2018 deer plan is available for down- deer hunting in 2006 generated over $113 million load at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Hunt_ in retail sales with a total multiplier effect of over Trap/pdfs/2009-2018MarylandWTDeerPlan.pdf $190 million contributed to Maryland’s economy. During the last couple of decades, the primary Deer hunting in Maryland supports nearly 2,300 focus of the Deer Project has been to slow jobs and generates $71 million in salaries, wages, and ultimately reduce a rapidly growing deer and business owner’s income, $15 million in state population. While hunting remains the most and local tax revenue, and $16 million in federal cost-effective and efficient population control tax revenue. This survey was conducted again in mechanism available in most Maryland landscapes, 2011 and results should be available soon. continued urbanization has necessitated the devel- opment and use of non-lethal techniques where White-tailed Deer History hunting is not practical or acceptable. Therefore, Prior to the arrival of European immigrants, the Deer Project employs a blend of hunting-related white-tailed deer inhabited all of Maryland and deer management methods and proven non-lethal eastern North America. Native Americans hunted deer management techniques to manage deer. deer during all seasons. In Maryland, wolves and To remain up-to-date on current deer mountain lions preyed on all age classes and sexes management techniques and methods, Maryland of white-tailed deer. Deer Project staff are members of the Northeast The first European settlers in Maryland found Deer Technical Committee and Southeast Deer ample white-tailed deer populations. Deer meat Technical Committee. Staff routinely meet and hides provided them with food and clothing. and share information with deer biologists Venison recipes from those early settlers have been and managers from other eastern states and passed down through generations. Canadian provinces as they relate to current deer As the colony prospered and human populations management and biology. multiplied, unregulated market hunting and the destruction of habitat (deforestation) caused deer Maryland Public Attitudes Regarding populations to decline drastically throughout the Deer Management 1700s. Market hunters sold deer meat to colonists The majority of the Maryland public recog- and shipped deer hides to England’s booming nizes the value of deer hunting as an effective leather industry. With settlements expanding management tool. A 2007 survey by Responsive across the state during the 1800s, deer popula- Management found that 36% of the Maryland tions continued to drop, and mountain lions and general public were strongly in favor of deer wolves were exterminated. By 1900, white-tailed hunting, 25% were somewhat in favor, 19% were deer only inhabited limited sections of far western neutral or had no opinion, 10% were somewhat Maryland. opposed to deer hunting, and 10% were strongly Since the birth of modern wildlife management opposed. Similarly, 76% of the general public in the early 1900s, Maryland’s deer population has agreed or strongly agreed that deer should be expanded dramatically to fill all available habitats. hunted to maintain a healthy population. The State wildlife biologists, working hand-in-hand survey found that 44% of the general public felt with private citizens, re-established white-tailed population control was the most important reason deer in all counties in the state. Some native deer for deer hunting, 24% thought hunting for the meat were trapped in western Maryland and released was most important, 14% for sport/recreation, 10% into unoccupied habitat elsewhere. A few deer no good reason, 5% don’t know, and 1% thought were obtained from other states and released to be with family/friends was most important. 2 across Maryland. The majority of deer relocated Currently, DNR’s sika deer management goal is to after World War II came from a large population maintain this exotic species at current levels so that inhabiting Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Harford hunting opportunities are balanced with agricultural County. Deer relocation efforts ended in the early depredation and whitetail competition issues across 1960s when most areas of the state supported a self the lower Eastern Shore. sustaining deer herd. Sika deer hunting is very popular in Dorchester Early hunting seasons of the 1930s and 1940s County and on Assateague Island. Nonresidents prohibited the taking of antlerless deer in order to and hunters from other areas of Maryland now allow for the continued growth and expansion of travel to the lower Eastern Shore with hopes relocated deer herds. As deer numbers climbed of taking a trophy sika stag with six points. and all deer habitat became populated, deer Professional guide services are available that cater seasons