Deer Management in Maryland -Overview Brian Eyler Deer Project Leader
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
30/sq.mi.
Deer Hunting Maryland 2006: -$190 million sales revenue -$71 million salaries/wages/business owner income -2,272 deer-related jobs -$15.5 million state/local tax revenue -$16.5 million federal tax revenue Wildlife & Heritage Service Budget 2006: -57% hunting license sales -32% Federal Aid
Deer Hunting Maryland 2006: -$190 million sales revenue -$71 million salaries/wages/business owner income -2,272 deer-related jobs -$15.5 million state/local tax revenue -$16.5 million federal tax revenue Wildlife & Heritage Service Budget 2006: -57% hunting license sales -32% Federal Aid Agricultural Wildlife Damage Maryland: -$9 million total -$7.5 million deer annually Deer-Vehicle Collisions Maryland: -25,000 estimated collisions -$75 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 September 15 January 31 annually 36 deer bag limit in Region B 6 deer bag limit in Region A Unlimited antlerless deer bag limit in suburban archery zone 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
Deer Resistant Plantings/Repellants
Deer Resistant Plantings/Repellants
Deer Contraceptives/Sterilization
Challenges Decline in hunters/bag limit saturation
Hunting License Sales
Challenges Decline in hunters/bag limit saturation Access to land to hunt to control deer - refuges
Challenges Decline in hunters/bag limit saturation Access to land to hunt to control deer - refuges Effective urban/suburban deer management
Challenges Decline in hunters/bag limit saturation Access to land to hunt to control deer - refuges Effective urban/suburban deer management Non-lethal technologies
Challenges 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 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 Politics vs. needed management
Challenges 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 Politics vs. needed management Crop damage issues
Challenges 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 Politics vs. needed management Crop damage issues Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
Agency Perspective Leadership/guidance with wide sideboards Federal, County, Local Governments and private groups/associations must be proactive in deer management Education and building consensus among stakeholders/constituents critical Must have a variety of tools in the toolbox Continue to rely on hunter harvest/lethal control as primary management methods
Catoctin Mountain Park Antietam National Battlefield Self Regulation? C&O Canal Parklands Military Installations Statelands Etc.
Agency Perspective Leadership/guidance with wide sideboards Education and building consensus among stakeholders/constituents critical Federal, County, Local Governments and private groups/associations must be proactive in deer management Must have a variety of tools in the toolbox Continue to rely on hunter harvest/lethal control as primary management methods Continue to support research, development, implementation of non-lethal technologies
Questions?