Maryland’s deer hunting season saw a significant increase in harvest numbers, with hunters reporting a total of 84,201 deer taken during the 2024-2025 season. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources released the figures following the conclusion of the archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons, which ran from September 6, 2024, to February 4, 2025. The total represents a 15.9% increase over the previous season’s harvest of 72,642 deer and is also 10.4% higher than the five-year average of 76,272.
State wildlife officials attribute the rise in harvest numbers to favorable weather conditions, particularly in the later months of the season. Colder temperatures and snowfall contributed to increased deer movement, improving hunting success. According to Karina Stonesifer, Director of the Wildlife and Heritage Service, the strong harvest underscores the continued importance of deer hunting as a wildlife management tool in Maryland.
“Deer hunters across Maryland enjoyed another year in the field as snow and cooler temperatures made for many successful hunts later in the season,” Stonesifer said. “Maryland’s deer population remains healthy, and we thank hunters for their assistance in managing the state’s deer population.”
White-tailed deer made up the majority of the harvest, with 32,148 antlered and 47,271 antlerless deer taken across the state. The total also included 2,143 antlered and 2,639 antlerless sika deer, a species primarily found in southern Maryland and on the Eastern Shore.
Sunday hunting, which is permitted on designated weekends in 20 of Maryland’s 23 counties, accounted for 9,459 deer, or 11.2% of the total harvest. The option for Sunday hunting has played a key role in increasing participation among hunters with limited time during the week, contributing to overall higher harvest numbers.
Regional data showed notable increases in both Western Maryland and the central and eastern parts of the state. In Region A, which covers Garrett, Allegany, and western Washington counties, hunters harvested 10,275 deer, a 12.1% increase from the 9,169 deer taken in the previous season. The total included 5,836 antlered and 4,439 antlerless deer.
Region B, which includes the remainder of Maryland, saw a 16.5% rise in deer harvests, with hunters taking 73,926 deer compared to 63,473 last year. The breakdown for Region B included 28,455 antlered and 45,471 antlerless deer.
At the county level, Frederick County led the state in deer harvest numbers with 6,869 deer reported, reflecting a 4.9% increase from last year. Carroll County followed closely behind with 5,988 deer, while Garrett County recorded the third-highest total at 5,613. Baltimore and Washington counties rounded out the top five, reporting 5,239 and 5,066 deer, respectively.
The steady increase in harvest numbers aligns with ongoing deer population management strategies in Maryland. The Department of Natural Resources continues to encourage hunting as an essential means of regulating deer populations, preventing overbrowsing of forests, and reducing the risk of deer-related vehicle collisions.
Looking ahead, wildlife officials will assess the impact of this season’s harvest on local deer populations and make adjustments to future hunting regulations if necessary. The state remains committed to ensuring a balanced and sustainable deer population while providing recreational opportunities for hunters.
Maryland Reported Antlered and Antlerless Deer Harvest for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 Hunting Seasons Antlered Antlerless Total County 2023-24 2024-25 % Change 2023-24 2024-25 % Change 2023-24 2024-25 % Change Allegany 1,824 1,868 2.4 1,128 1,544 36.9 2,952 3,412 15.6 Anne Arundel 750 898 19.7 974 1,371 40.8 1,724 2,269 31.6 Baltimore 1,899 2,109 11.1 2,651 3,130 18.1 4,550 5,239 15.1 Calvert 584 658 12.7 817 1,062 30.0 1,401 1,720 22.8 Caroline whitetail 910 878 -3.5 1,666 2,262 35.8 2,576 3,140 21.9 sika 0 2 * 1 2 * 1 4 * Carroll 2,470 2,368 -4.1 3,259 3,620 11.1 5,729 5,988 4.5 Cecil 1,177 1,325 12.6 1,844 2,260 22.6 3,021 3,585 18.7 Charles 1,050 1,356 29.1 1,383 2,012 45.5 2,433 3,368 38.4 Dorchester whitetail 739 637 -13.8 1,138 1,278 12.3 1,877 1,915 2.0 sika 1,678 1,840 9.7 1,965 2,319 18.0 3,643 4,159 14.2 Frederick 2,943 3,012 2.3 3,606 3,857 7.0 6,549 6,869 4.9 Garrett 3,152 3,238 2.7 1,956 2,375 21.4 5,108 5,613 9.9 Harford 1,147 1,386 20.8 1,923 2,414 25.5 3,070 3,800 23.8 Howard 795 852 7.2 1,259 1,329 5.6 2,054 2,181 6.2 Kent 1,200 1,220 1.7 1,673 2,284 36.5 2,873 3,504 22.0 Montgomery 1,316 1,379 4.8 2,046 2,085 1.9 3,362 3,464 3.0 Prince George’s 649 755 16.3 778 1,051 35.1 1,427 1,806 26.6 Queen Anne’s 1,028 1,212 17.9 1,789 2,554 42.8 2,817 3,766 33.7 St. Mary’s 869 1,003 15.4 1,116 1,470 31.7 1,985 2,473 24.6 Somerset whitetail 632 730 15.5 1,058 1,373 29.8 1,690 2,103 24.4 sika 18 26 44.4 15 11 -26.7 33 37 12.1 Talbot 719 745 3.6 1,209 1,557 28.8 1,928 2,302 19.4 Washington 2,273 2,477 9.0 2,145 2,589 20.7 4,418 5,066 14.7 Wicomico whitetail 921 945 2.6 1,494 1,832 22.6 2,415 2,777 15.0 sika 167 222 32.9 161 227 41.0 328 449 36.9 Worcester whitetail 978 1,097 12.2 1,599 1,962 22.7 2,577 3,059 18.7 sika 49 53 8.2 52 80 53.8 101 133 31.7 Total 31,937 34,291 7.4 40,705 49,910 22.6 72,642 84,201 15.9 *Small sample size