Deer Management in Maryland Brian Eyler Deer Project Leader Maryland DNR 301-842-0332 beyler@dnr.state.md.us
General Behavior Social groups Social hierarchy Home range Nocturnal Bedding Food Habits Ruminants Compound stomach - wide variety of vegetative material Fruits, nuts, acorns,clover, alfalfa, crops, poison ivy, honeysuckle
Scrapes & Rubs Breeding Biology
Breeding Biology -Peak breeding - November -Average 2 fawns/doe -Peak fawning - June -Sex ratio 1:1
Antlers Physiology Bone Begin growing in March:Stop growing in September Shed in January-February Uses Fighting for breeding purposes Defense Size dependent on: Age Nutrition Genetics
Management History -Pre-colonial/Colonial Deer abundant Important to eastern tribes Legislatively protected in Maryland 1729
Nearly Extirpated Industrial Revolution Market hunting Reduced regulations Habitat destruction Relegated to western region Management History -1800s
Management History -1900s-1960s Protection and Restocking No hunting (1902) or antlered-only hunting Hunting license requirement 1918 Restocking efforts from Maryland & elsewhere
Management History -1920s-1970s Population Regrowth Deer refuges (e.g. Gwynnbrook WMA) Improved habitat via forest regrowth, tree plantings, urban/suburban development
Management History -1980s-Present Full Recovery and Much More Deer Refuges & Open Space programs Food-rich suburbia Modern farming practices Conversion of hunted farmland to non-hunted suburbia
Favorable Habitat + Few Natural Predators + Mild Climate = A Lot of Deer
Deer Hunting Maryland 2011: -$221 million retail sales + multiplier effect -$69 million salaries/wages/business owner income -2,435 deer-related jobs -$17.5 million state/local tax revenue -$19 million federal tax revenue Wildlife & Heritage Service Budget: -63% special funds (mainly hunting license sales) -31% Federal Aid
Deer Hunting Maryland 2011: -$221 million retail sales + multiplier effect -$69 million salaries/wages/business owner income -2,435 deer-related jobs -$17.5 million state/local tax revenue -$19 million federal tax revenue Wildlife & Heritage Service Budget: -63% special funds (mainly hunting license sales) -31% Federal Aid Agricultural Wildlife Damage Maryland: -$9 million total -$7.5 million deer annually Deer-Vehicle Collisions Maryland: -34,000 estimated collisions -$100+ million in damage annually Forest and Landowner Damage $$?
Deer Management Today -DNR Statewide Deer Management Plan (2009) Primary Management Options Hunter Harvest Deer Management Permits (i.e., crop damage permits) Deer Cooperator Permits/Sharpshooting/LOAs Fencing Repellents/Deer resistant plants Deer Contraceptives / Sterilization
Deer Seasons & Bag Limits Early September January 31 annually 36 deer bag limit in Region B 6 deer bag limit in Region A Unlimited antlerless deer bag limit for archery hunters Encourage the harvest of antlerless deer (i.e., females) Liberal allowance of weaponry (modern muzzleloaders, crossbows, etc.)
Crop Damage Permits
Other Lethal Deer Cooperator Permits Sharpshooting Letters of Authority Managed Hunts
Fencing Non-Lethal Options
Deer Resistant Plantings/Repellants
Deer Resistant Plantings/Repellants
Deer Contraceptives/Sterilization
Challenges to Deer Management Decline in hunters/bag limit saturation
Hunting License Sales
Challenges to Deer Management Decline in hunters/bag limit saturation Access to land to hunt to control deer - refuges
Challenges to Deer Management Decline in hunters/bag limit saturation Access to land to hunt to control deer - refuges Effective urban/suburban deer management
Challenges to Deer Management Decline in hunters/bag limit saturation Access to land to hunt to control deer - refuges Effective urban/suburban deer management Non-lethal technologies
Challenges to Deer Management Decline in hunters/bag limit saturation Access to land to hunt to control deer - refuges Effective urban/suburban deer management Non-lethal technologies Consensus on deer population levels and management strategies
Challenges to Deer Management Decline in hunters/bag limit saturation Access to land to hunt to control deer - refuges Effective urban/suburban deer management Non-lethal technologies Consensus on deer population levels and management strategies Crop damage issues
Challenges to Deer Management Decline in hunters/bag limit saturation Access to land to hunt to control deer - refuges Effective urban/suburban deer management Non-lethal technologies Consensus on deer population levels and management strategies Crop damage issues Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
Future Options??
Private Land Deer Management 1. Provide Habitat for Food, Shelter, & Water Needs 2. Keep Deer Numbers In Check and In Balance
1. Food, Water, and Shelter -Water and Shelter
1. Food, Water, and Shelter -Forbs and Woody plants (browse)
1. Food, Water, and Shelter -Mast
1. Food, Water, and Shelter -Food Plots
2. Keep Deer Numbers In Check and In Balance Deer Affect Your Forest Overbrowsing Consuming mast Antler rubbing on young trees Reduce habitat for other wildlife Spread of invasive plants
2. Keep Deer Numbers In Check and In Balance Harvest Female Deer
2. Keep Deer Numbers In Check and In Balance vs.
How many females to harvest??? Need data to answer Harvesting 20-30% of does in herd will stabilize population growth Small properties make it harder so forming a cooperative = more data Consult local professionals
Available Resources
Questions? Brian Eyler Deer Project Leader Maryland DNR 301-842-0332 beyler@dnr.state.md.us