SoMD Deer Harvest Falls on EHD, Acorns

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland hunters reported harvesting 18,930 white-tailed and sika deer during the early archery and muzzleloader seasons from Sept. 5 through Oct. 31, 2025, state officials announced Monday. The total marked an 8.1% decrease from the 20,592 deer taken in the same period last year.

The decline stems from several environmental and biological factors, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Abundant acorn crops in many areas kept deer closer to cover and less active during daylight hours, reducing encounters with hunters. Additionally, outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, struck multiple counties in central and southern Maryland over the summer and fall, likely thinning local herds and contributing to lower yields.

“Many areas saw an abundant acorn crop, which likely reduced deer movements, making deer less visible and harder to hunt,” said Karina Stonesifer, director of the DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service. “Though harvest is down compared to 2024, our 2025 harvest seems to be tracking close to what we have experienced in past seasons.”

Of the total, 9,984 deer came from the archery season, a 19% drop from 2024’s figure for that period. The October muzzleloader segment yielded 8,947 deer, up 9% from the prior year. Sika deer harvests fell 8%, from 1,764 to 1,616 animals, concentrated primarily in the Lower Eastern Shore counties of Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester.

Hunters took 793 deer on open Sunday archery dates, representing 8% of the archery total. Sunday hunting remains limited to specific weeks in 20 of Maryland’s 23 counties during archery and firearms seasons, a policy expanded in recent years to boost participation.

Southern Maryland counties, part of Deer Management Region B, recorded notable declines that align with the statewide trend and EHD impacts. In Calvert County, hunters harvested 376 deer, down 15.9% from 447 in 2024, including 172 antlered and 204 antlerless white-tailed deer. Charles County saw a steeper 28.3% decrease to 595 deer from 830, with 260 antlered and 335 antlerless. St. Mary’s County reported 597 deer, a 22.4% drop from 769, comprising 274 antlered and 323 antlerless. Sika deer, more prevalent on the Eastern Shore, were not recorded separately in these counties.

EHD, a viral illness transmitted by biting midges, causes high fever and internal bleeding in deer, often leading to rapid population drops in affected areas. The disease surfaced in southern counties like Charles and St. Mary’s this year, mirroring patterns from 2020 when similar outbreaks reduced harvests by up to 30% in impacted zones. Recovery typically occurs within one to two years as surviving deer build immunity and fawns bolster numbers, though repeated events can strain long-term herd health.

Archery and muzzleloader hunting form key pillars of Maryland’s deer management strategy, alongside the upcoming firearms season, to curb overabundant populations that damage crops, forests and vehicle safety. Region B, encompassing Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s, permits unlimited antlerless deer during archery from Sept. 5 to Oct. 15 and Oct. 19 to Nov. 28, with additional segments through January 2026. Muzzleloader rules allow three antlered and unlimited antlerless statewide, except for the early October antlerless-only window for sika. Hunters must report all kills via the DNR’s online system or toll-free line within 24 hours, aiding population modeling.

In Southern Maryland, where rural woodlands and agricultural fields sustain robust herds, these early seasons draw hundreds of local participants. Calvert County’s mix of state forests like Flag Ponds and private farmlands supports consistent archery pursuits, while Charles and St. Mary’s offer public lands such as Nanjemoy Wildlife Management Area. The region’s harvest contributes to broader efforts addressing deer-vehicle collisions, which numbered over 4,000 statewide in 2024, with hotspots in Prince George’s and Charles counties.

Historical data shows variability typical of Maryland’s white-tailed deer dynamics. The five-year average for early seasons hovers around 19,000 deer, placing 2025 within normal bounds despite the dip. Full-season totals for 2024-25 reached 84,201 deer, a 10% rise over the prior five-year average, underscoring archery and muzzleloader’s role in sustaining pressure before peak firearms months.

As the firearms season opens Nov. 29 in most areas, DNR biologists monitor trends through mandatory reporting and aerial surveys. Hunters in Southern Maryland can access bonus antlered stamps for Region B, allowing one extra buck per weapon type, to fine-tune sex ratios. Educational programs, like those at the Southern Maryland Beekeepers Association’s wildlife workshops, emphasize ethical practices amid fluctuating conditions.

Maryland’s program, established under the 1973 Deer Management Act, balances recreation with ecology. Overpopulation in suburban edges of Charles and St. Mary’s prompts urban archery zones with extended seasons, while rural Calvert focuses on antlerless reductions to protect young timber stands. Acorn masting, a natural cycle every two to five years, influences visibility but not overall abundance, per DNR forest health reports.

For 2025-26, the DNR maintains bag limits at three antlered statewide, with no changes to Sunday expansions.