Marylanders Reminded to Keep Fawns Wild
With late spring being the prime birthing time for white-tailed deer, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds anyone who encounters a fawn to avoid disturbing it. While young deer often appear to be orphaned, in most cases the doe is nearby protecting and feeding their offspring as needed. Removing these animals from the wild for care is unnecessary, dangerous and illegal. Read more 
Maryland Deer Test Negative for Chronic Wasting Disease
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports that all of the 278 samples taken from white-tailed deer this season tested negative for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Read more
2012-13 Deer Season Results Are In
Photo from FWS.gov
Maryland hunters harvested 87,541 deer during the bow, muzzleloader and firearm seasons combined (September 7, 2012 through January 31, 2013). The harvest shows an 11 percent decline compared to last year’s total of 98,029 deer. Biologists attribute the drop to multiple factors, including reduced hunter participation, an abundant acorn crop that changed deer movements, and a lower deer population in some areas. Read more
NRP Blotter
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged a total of 13 people with illegal activity in Dorchester, Frederick Garrett and Howard counties in December. Read more
Firearm Deer Season Reopens in Region B
Maryland’s firearm deer season reopens for white-tailed and sika deer on January 4 and 5, 2013 in Deer Management Region B only. The firearm season is closed in Deer Management Region A (Allegany, Garrett, and western Washington counties).
Preliminary Deer Firearm Season Results Announced
Hunters reported taking 36,088 deer during the statewide, two-week firearm deer season, which ended on December 8. This harvest represents a 13 percent decline compared to the 41,421 deer taken during the 2011 firearm season. DNR biologists believe the decline this year is primarily because of bad weather on key hunting days and an abundance of acorns that resulted in deer moving less.
Crownsville Cooperative Wildlife Management Area Opens to Hunting
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has opened a new deer hunting area in Anne Arundel County. The 546 acre Crownsville Cooperative Wildlife Management Area (CWMA) will open for regulated deer hunting beginning on Nov 26, 2012 and running through Jan 31, 2013. Deer hunting only is permitted at Crownsville CWMA. The program will follow established season dates and bag limits found in the 2012-2013 Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland.
The new program is designed to provide managed-access to the site through a partnership with DNR and Anne Arundel County Parks. Anne Arundel County Parks acquired this property in 2009. At that time, the Maryland Board of Public Works required development of a CWMA as a mandatory condition of the transfer.
Firearm Deer Season Opens November 24
The two-week deer firearm season opens Saturday, November 24 and runs through December 8, 2012. Hunters who possess a valid hunting license or are exempt from the Maryland hunting license requirements may use firearms to hunt white-tailed and sika deer during this season.
Two Junior Deer Hunting Days Set for November
Experienced deer hunters are invited to introduce young people to the sport during two upcoming Junior Deer Hunting Days ─ November 10 on public and private lands in all Maryland counties; and November 11 on private lands only, in all counties except Baltimore, Howard and Prince George’s.
More Deer on Roadways
Photo by Dwight Burdette
Deer activity is beginning to increase as these animals seek fall food supplies and enter their breeding season. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) urges motorists to be alert for deer and other wildlife during this time.
