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Deer Harvest Up So Far

Maryland deer hunters checked in an estimated 18,099 deer during the first two days of the 2007 firearms season, per a recent Department of Natural Resources (DNR) press release. This harvest snapshot resulted in an increase of 5 percent over the number of deer taken in the first two days of the deer firearms season in 2006, when 17,231 deer were checked in. Harvest of bucks increased from 8,019 deer in 2006 to 8,179 this year, and the number of does taken increased from 9,212 in 2006 to 9,920 in 2007. Sika deer made up 169 of the antlered and 136 of the antlerless deer taken in the first two day portion of the 2007 firearms season. The sika harvests in 2006 were 143 antlered and 147 antlerless.

The first two days of the 2007 deer firearms season in Charles County totaled 806 of which 346 were bucks and 460 were does. In St. Mary’s County, hunters checked in 242 bucks and 357 does during this same period of time. Calvert County hunters bagged 130 bucks and 230 does on the first two days of the 2007 deer firearms season.

The Maryland DNR Deer Project Leader, Brian Eyler, offers the following comparisons of the 2007 firearms harvest verses what was experienced in the previous 2007 opportunities. "The early season deer kill during the archery and muzzleloader seasons was down due to unseasonably warm weather and an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease. The firearm season opening weekend rebound indicates there are still ample opportunities for hunters to put some venison in the freezer and further the objectives of our Deer Management Plan. Several counties were still down this weekend so we will continue monitoring them closely through the end of the season to better determine the status of deer populations in those areas.

The first two days of the 2007 deer firearms season in Region A which comprises Garrett and Allegany Counties, increased a bit from 1,465 antlered deer in 2006 to 1,570 antlered deer this year. The rest of Maryland which is in Region B, showed an antlered deer harvest increase from 6,554 deer in 2006 to 6,609 this year. Doe harvests increased from 9,212 in 2006 to 9,920 deer in 2007.

Sunday Hunt Day Hunters who took the opportunity to hunt on private lands during the first Sunday of the 2007 deer firearms season harvested 3,707 deer. The DNR reports that in the Eastern Shore Counties of Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, hunters reported a total of 2,796 deer for the weekend period. This is a 48 percent increase over last year’s opening weekend harvest of 1,890 deer. This was the first time these 3 Counties permitted Sunday hunting for deer. Speaking in support of Sunday deer hunting, the DNR’s Brian Eyler states, "Sunday hunting continues to become more popular with our deer hunters. The day provides another opportunity for hunters to enjoy the outdoors and it helps DNR come closer to balancing the deer herd with the environment and its human neighbors."

Visit the website at, www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/deerhunting.asp for information about deer hunting in Maryland. Information on bag limits, season dates and other deer hunting guidance is in the 2007-2008 Guide to Hunting & Trapping in Maryland and online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide.

The current recreational striped bass season in Maryland Chesapeake Bay and tributary closes after December 15. Anglers may keep two fish per person per day between 18 and 28 inches, or one fish between 18 and 28 inches and one fish over 28 inches. Call 1-800-688-3467 for fishing information provided by the DNR Fisheries Service. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website can be access at; www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fishingreport/frmapindex.asp .

The Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) recreational striped bass season continues through December 31, 2007. The PRFC striper creel allows anglers fishing tidal Potomac River waters to keep two striped bass per person per day at 18 to 28 inches in length. One of these can exceed 28 inches. All PRFC waters are open to possession of striped bass, from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (Route I-95) to Smith Point, Virginia. For additional information call 1-800-266-3904 or search information at the PRFC website, http://www.prfc.state.va.us/index.htm.