Maryland hunters reported harvesting 27,620 deer during the two-week firearms season from November 29 through December 13, 2025, according to data from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. This total represents a 10.4% decrease from the 30,833 deer taken during the same period in 2024 but remains only 3% below the five-year average of 28,467.
The harvest included 10,938 antlered deer, down 6.6% from 11,709 in 2024, and 16,682 antlerless deer, a 12.8% drop from 19,124 last year. Sika deer accounted for 499 antlered and 607 antlerless in the total, with the overall sika harvest unchanged from the previous year at 1,106 deer. More than 3,080 deer were harvested on the two Sundays during the season, comprising just over 11% of the total, including 2,085 on the opening Sunday of November 29-30. Sunday hunting is permitted in 20 of Maryland’s 23 counties during select periods.
Antlered Antlerless Total 2024 2025 % Change 2024 2025 % Change 2024 2025 % Change Allegany 864 807 -6.6 707 535 -24.3 1,571 1,342 -14.6 Anne Arundel 181 128 -29.3 308 251 -18.5 489 379 -22.5 Baltimore 464 452 -2.6 844 770 -8.8 1,308 1,222 -6.6 Calvert 156 150 -3.8 375 251 -33.1 531 401 -24.5 Caroline whitetail 348 385 10.6 1,101 834 -24.3 1,449 1,219 -15.9 sika 1 1 * 0 2 * 1 3 * Carroll 853 830 -2.7 1,491 1,241 -16.8 2,344 2,071 -11.6 Cecil 359 401 11.7 835 698 -16.4 1,194 1099 -8.0 Charles 403 252 -37.5 657 500 -23.9 1,060 752 -29.1 Dorchester whitetail 280 304 8.6 625 508 -18.7 905 812 -10.3 sika 466 423 -9.2 495 538 8.7 961 961 0.0 Frederick 1,104 1,086 -1.6 1,567 1,466 -6.4 2,671 2,552 -4.5 Garrett 1,452 1,279 -11.9 1,219 1,021 -16.2 2,671 2,300 -13.9 Harford 351 317 -9.7 796 634 -20.4 1,147 951 -17.1 Howard 222 167 -24.8 328 329 0.3 550 496 -9.8 Kent 422 413 -2.1 1,003 932 -7.1 1,425 1,345 -5.6 Montgomery 365 307 -15.9 468 478 2.1 833 785 -5.8 Prince George’s 206 148 -28.2 298 180 -39.6 504 328 -34.9 Queen Anne’s 446 474 6.3 1,137 1,006 -11.5 1,583 1,480 -6.5 Somerset whitetail 304 263 -13.5 667 685 2.7 971 948 -2.4 sika 9 7 * 4 4 * 13 11 * St. Mary’s 247 219 -11.3 476 414 -13.0 723 633 -12.4 Talbot 297 248 -16.5 820 679 -17.2 1,117 927 -17.0 Washington 967 928 -4.0 980 955 -2.6 1,947 1,883 -3.3 Wicomico whitetail 372 392 5.4 800 802 0.3 1,172 1,194 1.9 sika 64 50 -21.9 64 44 -31.3 128 94 -26.6 Worcester whitetail 506 489 -3.4 1,056 906 -14.2 1,562 1,395 -10.7 sika 0 18 * 3 19 * 3 37 * Total 11,709 10,938 -6.6 19,124 16,682 -12.8% 30,833 27,620 -10.4 *Small sample size
Deer management Region A, covering Allegany, Garrett, and western Washington counties, saw 2,308 antlered deer (down 12.3%) and 1,671 antlerless deer (down 20.7%). In Region B, which includes the rest of the state and all of Southern Maryland, hunters reported 8,630 antlered deer (down 4.9%) and 15,011 antlerless deer (down 11.8%).
Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer stated, “We hope Maryland’s deer hunters found success during Maryland’s most popular deer hunting season. The tradition of firearms deer hunting provides many families with fresh venison and greatly contributes to deer management and wildlife conservation across the state.”
The decline aligns with factors such as weather conditions, natural food availability like abundant acorns reducing deer movement, disease outbreaks including epizootic hemorrhagic disease in some southern and central counties during summer and fall 2025, hunter effort, and overall population dynamics. Earlier in the 2025-2026 season, the archery and October muzzleloader periods yielded 18,930 deer, an 8.1% decrease from the prior year, influenced by similar conditions.
The two-week firearms season remains the state’s most popular deer hunting opportunity, drawing participants to areas including the wooded landscapes of Southern Maryland’s Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties, where deer management supports agricultural protection, road safety, and forest health. These counties fall within Region B, where Sunday hunting on private lands and select public properties enhances access.
Upcoming seasons include the muzzleloader period from December 20, 2025, through January 3, 2026, and the modern firearm season reopening January 9, 2026, in Region B. Hunters must comply with regulations such as antler-point restrictions, which allow one antlered white-tailed deer per license year without the required three points on one antler, while additional antlered harvests must meet the standard. Junior hunters and those under 16 on apprentice licenses are exempt.
Licensing and stamps, including muzzleloader and sika requirements, are available online through the MD Outdoors portal, at licensed agents, or by calling DNR Licensing and Registration Services at 866-344-8889. The 2025-2026 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping provides full details on bag limits, registration within 24 hours of harvest, fluorescent orange/pink safety requirements, and Chronic Wasting Disease protocols. The CWD Management Area, expanded in 2025 to include additional counties, restricts carcass transport to prevent spread.
This firearms season harvest contributes to Maryland’s ongoing deer population management, which balances ecological needs with public interests. The department’s efforts, supported by hunter participation, help maintain healthy herds while providing recreational and sustenance opportunities statewide.