11/15/2005

DNR Releases Unofficial Early Season Deer and Fall Turkey Harvest Numbers

ANNAPOLIS – Hunters reported taking 23,114 deer during the early bow, crossbow, and muzzleloader hunting seasons in September and October. A total of 3,138 antlered deer (97 sika) and 5,987 antlerless deer (89 sika) were reported during the bow season from Sept. 15 to Oct. 29. Hunters reported taking an additional 206 antlered deer (4 sika) and 476 antlerless deer (6 sika) with crossbows during the Oct. 1 – 15 crossbow season. Deer hunters finished out the early seasons by reporting 4,401 antlered deer (183 sika) and 8,906 antlerless deer (126 sika) during the October muzzleloader season.

Fall turkey hunters reported taking 137 wild turkeys during the 1-week season that ended on Nov 5. Fall turkey hunting is only permitted in the 3 westernmost counties. Allegany County reported the highest harvest with 54 turkeys, followed by Garrett (46) and Washington (37). Over 34 percent of the turkeys were reported harvested on public lands.

The 2005-06 hunting season marks the first year that DNR has used a telephone and Internet check-in system. Maryland hunters are credited with adapting to the new system and complying with its requirements. Telephone and Internet check-in is more convenient for most hunters, allows faster retrieval of the harvest data, and can be operated at a reduced cost.

Complete bag limits, season dates, new deer and turkey registration procedures, and other hunting information can be found at the DNR website, www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide. The Hunting & Trapping In Maryland 2005-2006 guide, issued with each hunting license, contains detailed information about all of Maryland’s hunting seasons.
 

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