Maryland Sees Significant Increase in Deer Harvest for 2024–25

The Maryland deer harvest rose by nearly 16% during the 2024–25 season, reflecting a healthy deer population and effective management strategies.

What happened

Maryland hunters reported a total of 84,201 deer harvested during the combined archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons from September 6, 2024, to February 4, 2025. This figure represents a 15.9% increase from the previous season’s harvest of 72,642 deer and is 10.4% above the five-year average of 76,272.

The harvest included 32,148 antlered and 47,271 antlerless white-tailed deer, along with 2,143 antlered and 2,639 antlerless sika deer. The increase in harvest numbers was observed across both of Maryland’s deer management regions.

In Region A, which encompasses Western Maryland, hunters reported 10,275 deer, marking a 12.1% increase from the prior season. Frederick County led the state in total deer harvest, while Region B accounted for the majority of the harvest with 73,926 deer, a 16.5% increase from the previous year.

Why it matters

• The increase in deer harvest helps manage the state’s deer population, which has stabilized at around 235,000 since 2005.
• High deer densities can lead to over-browsing, negatively impacting forest health and other wildlife species.
• Regulated hunting is a key tool for maintaining a balanced ecosystem and promoting sustainable forest growth.

What to do next

• Hunters should continue to participate in regulated hunting seasons to support deer population management.
• Wildlife managers encourage public awareness of the ecological impacts of deer overpopulation and the importance of hunting in conservation efforts.

Source

Original reporting by www.outdoorhub.com: https://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2026/02/16/maryland-deer-harvest-jumps-nearly-16-2024-25-season/