MARYLAND, Dec. 20, 2024—Maryland hunters harvested 30,833 deer during the two-week firearm season from November 30 to December 14, reflecting an 8.9% increase from last year’s total of 28,312. The firearm season remains the most popular for deer hunters, with significant contributions to managing the state’s deer population.
“The two-week firearm season continues to be our most popular deer season,” said Karina Stonesifer, Director of the Wildlife and Heritage Service. “We’d like to thank all those who participated in the management of Maryland’s deer population this season and congratulate those hunters who were successful in putting venison in their freezers.”
Harvest Breakdown
- Antlered Deer: Hunters harvested 11,709 antlered deer, a 2.7% decrease from last year’s total of 12,028.
- Antlerless Deer: The antlerless harvest rose significantly, increasing 17% from 16,284 last year to 19,124 this year.
- Sika Deer: The harvest included 540 antlered and 566 antlerless Sika deer, representing a 1.4% overall increase.
Sunday hunting accounted for 4,062 deer, or 13% of the total harvest, with hunting permitted on select Sundays in 20 of Maryland’s 23 counties.
Regional Highlights
Region A (Allegany, Garrett, and western Washington counties):
- Antlered Deer: 2,632, up 2.5%.
- Antlerless Deer: 2,106, up 48%.
- The increase in antlerless harvest is attributed to a regulation change that extended the antlerless firearm season by 5–6 days, providing hunters more opportunities and aiding population management efforts.
Region B (remainder of the state):
- Antlered Deer: 9,077, down 4%.
- Antlerless Deer: 17,018, up 14.5%.
Upcoming Hunting Opportunities
- Muzzleloader Season: Reopens December 21 and runs through January 4, 2025.
- Modern Firearm Season: Opens again on January 10, 2025, in Region B.
Supporting Conservation Efforts
The annual deer harvest is essential for maintaining a balanced deer population and reducing the risk of overpopulation, which can lead to habitat degradation and increased vehicle collisions. By participating in the season, hunters play a critical role in conservation and wildlife management across the state.
For more information on hunting regulations, upcoming seasons, and resources, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Deer Hunting Guide.
Maryland reported harvest for the two-week firearm season is below:
Antlered Antlerless Total County 2023 2024 % Change 2023 2024 % Change 2023 2024 % Change Allegany 856 864 0.9 486 707 45.5 1,342 1,571 17.1 Anne Arundel 202 181 -10.4 225 308 36.9 427 489 14.5 Baltimore 444 464 4.5 733 844 15.1 1,177 1,308 11.1 Calvert 186 156 -16.1 304 375 23.4 490 531 8.4 Caroline whitetail 398 348 -12.6 848 1,101 29.8 1,246 1,449 16.3 sika 0 1 * 0 0 * 0 1 * Carroll 1,064 853 -19.8 1,463 1,491 1.9 2,527 2,344 -7.2 Cecil 407 359 -11.8 718 835 16.3 1,125 1,194 6.1 Charles 360 403 11.9 507 657 29.6 867 1,060 22.3 Dorchester whitetail 341 280 -17.9 625 625 0.0 966 905 -6.3 sika 431 466 8.1 531 495 -6.8 962 961 -0.1 Frederick 1,220 1,104 -9.5 1,594 1,567 -1.7 2,814 2,671 -5.1 Garrett 1,409 1,452 3.1 808 1,219 50.9 2,217 2,671 20.5 Harford 331 351 6.0 592 796 34.5 923 1,147 24.3 Howard 175 222 26.9 323 328 1.5 498 550 10.4 Kent 466 422 -9.4 779 1,003 28.8 1,245 1,425 14.5 Montgomery 308 365 18.5 452 468 3.5 760 833 9.6 Prince George’s 186 206 10.8 238 298 25.2 424 504 18.9 Queen Anne’s 414 446 7.7 821 1,137 38.5 1,235 1,583 28.2 Somerset whitetail 301 304 1.0 563 667 18.5 864 971 12.4 sika 8 9 * 5 4 * 13 13 * St. Mary’s 255 247 -3.1 385 476 23.6 640 723 13.0 Talbot 280 297 6.1 658 820 24.6 938 1,117 19.1 Washington 979 967 -1.2 875 980 12.0 1,854 1,947 5.0 Wicomico whitetail 437 372 -14.9 805 800 -0.6 1,242 1,172 -5.6 sika 62 64 3.2 53 64 20.8 115 128 11.3 Worcester whitetail 507 506 -0.2 893 1,056 18.3 1,400 1,562 11.6
