ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 19, 2002) — A preliminary count of the two-week
deer hunting firearm season indicates that Maryland firearm hunters took
41,469 deer, an increase more than 9 percent from last year.
After taking an estimated 15,473 deer on opening day, firearm deer hunters
bagged an estimated 25,996 deer during the remaining two-week season. Since
the expansion of the firearm season from one week to two in 1992, the
department has increased deer hunting opportunities by 50 percent.
“We’ve reached this effective level of deer management because of the
dedicated deer project team and the support from Maryland’s hunting
community,” said Paul A. Peditto, Director of the Wildlife and Heritage
Service.
For the first time in over ten years, Maryland’s approximately 75,000
firearm hunters experienced snow cover across most of the state during
portions of the season. Deer hunters logged many hours in the forests and
fields with temperatures below normal over the entire state. Both contributed
to favorable hunting conditions. More hunters across the state heeded safety
guidelines this year, resulting in an overall decrease in accidents and zero
safety-related fatalities.
Because hunters are not required to check deer in the county in which they
are bagged, these preliminary numbers are subject to change. Maryland’s deer
management is based on the official totals tabulated in February after the
close of the bow season. Data collected by Wildlife & Heritage Service
staff and volunteers during firearm season at check stations also plays a
major role in Maryland deer management.
Hunting remains the most effective tool for managing Maryland’s growing
deer population. For more information about the state’s deer management
program, visit the DNR Web site at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/deermgmt.html
Editor’s Note: Please see attached table for county specific harvests
|
2002
Maryland Unofficial 2-Week Firearm Deer Harvest Results As Compared to
2001 Unofficial 2-Week Firearm Deer Harvest
|
|
County
|
2002-2003
|
2001-2002
|
Difference
|
%
Change
|
|
Allegany
|
3801
|
3559
|
242
|
6.8
|
|
Anne
Arundel
|
1311
|
632
|
679
|
107.44
|
|
Baltimore
|
1513
|
1443
|
70
|
4.9
|
|
Calvert
|
664
|
1045
|
-381
|
-36.46
|
|
Caroline
|
1111
|
1059
|
52
|
4.91
|
|
Carroll
|
2356
|
2228
|
128
|
5.75
|
|
Cecil
|
1216
|
1047
|
169
|
16.1
|
|
Charles
|
1448
|
1612
|
-164
|
-10.17
|
|
Dorchester
|
2856
|
2670
|
186
|
6.97
|
|
Frederick
|
4109
|
3333
|
776
|
23.28
|
|
Garrett
|
3103
|
2631
|
472
|
17.94
|
|
Harford
|
1070
|
932
|
138
|
14.8
|
|
Howard
|
544
|
425
|
119
|
28
|
|
Kent
|
2186
|
1977
|
209
|
10.57
|
|
Montgomery
|
1160
|
772
|
388
|
50.26
|
|
Prince
George's
|
777
|
414
|
363
|
87.68
|
|
Queen
Anne's
|
1395
|
1428
|
-33
|
-2.31
|
|
St.
Mary's
|
1053
|
1293
|
-240
|
-18.56
|
|
Somerset
|
1497
|
1186
|
311
|
26.22
|
|
Talbot
|
1174
|
1048
|
126
|
12.02
|
|
Washington
|
3437
|
3723
|
-286
|
-7.68
|
|
Wicomico
|
1575
|
1737
|
-162
|
-9.33
|
|
Worcester
|
2113
|
1767
|
346
|
19.58
|
|
Total
|
41469
|
37961
|
3508
|
9.24
|
Posted December 19, 2002