History

• Whitetail deer greeted Maryland's first settlers in the 1600's, but encroachment by people on the habitat and market hunting nearly removed all the deer from Maryland by 1900. The state implemented management policies and spent the next 60-plus years helping the animals rebound. Management changed from restoring the herd to maintaining the population at acceptable levels near the end of the 20th century. The native whitetail deer got some company on Maryland's lower Eastern Shore when Sika deer were released on James Island in 1916. Sika deer now inhabit the wetlands and marshes of the lower Eastern Shore.
  
  

Species

• Sika deer are found in Maryland's lower Eastern Shore.sika deer fawn image by michael luckett from Fotolia.com
  
  Whitetail deer are the predominant species in Maryland. They can be recognized by the white hair on the underside of the tail when held erect. Antler configuration is another point of identification. Whitetail antlers consist of projections coming off the main beam. Sika deer can be hunted in Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Sika deer are smaller than whitetails and adults have white spots on their coat. A Sika's antlers sweep backwards as opposed to a whitetail's that curve to the front.
  
  

General Regulations

• Maryland's deer hunting regulations are similar to those of other states. Deer must be tagged immediately after harvest and an entry must be made in the hunter's Big Game Harvest Record. Then, within 24 hours, the hunter must check the deer in either through the Maryland Big Game Registration Phone Line or on the Internet. The confirmation number must be recorded in the harvest record. Hunting with dogs is prohibited, but can be used to track dead or wounded animals. Baiting is allowed on land that is not owned or controlled by the state. Limited Sunday hunting is allowed throughout the state.
  
  

Seasons

• The state is divided into two regions for whitetail deer hunting. Region A consists of Allegany and Garrett counties. The rest of the state is Region B. Both regions have bow, firearms, muzzleloader and junior seasons. The earliest bow seasons begin in mid-September and the latest concludes in late January. Firearms season takes place from the end of November to mid-December and muzzleloader seasons are held in October and December. The Sika deer seasons coincide with the whitetail seasons.
  
  

Licensing

• All hunters must have a basic hunting license to pursue deer. Additionally, bowhunters must purchase a Bow Stamp and muzzleloaders have to buy a Muzzleloader Stamp. Hunters choosing to use a bow during muzzleloader season need to buy a Muzzleloader Stamp. Bonus antlered deer stamps are also available for Region B. These stamps allow a hunter to take a second antlered deer. Hunter education is required to buy a hunting license unless you provide certification that you had a hunting license before July 1, 1977 or hunted on private property before that date and did not need a license.