Early Season Deer and Fall Turkey Harvest Up Based on Preliminary Check-In Data

ANNAPOLIS — Preliminary check-in data indicate hunters took 23,428 deer during the early bow, crossbow and muzzleloader hunting seasons in September and October, representing a slight increase of 1.4% over last year’s unofficial estimate of 23,114 deer for the same time period. Hunters reported 3,173 antlered deer (65 sika) and 6,319 antlerless deer (86 sika) during the bow season from September 15 to October 28. In addition, crossbow hunters harvested 252 antlered deer (8 sika) and 510 antlerless deer (4 sika) during the September 30 – October 14 crossbow season. Deer hunters wrapped up the early seasons by taking 4,814 antlered deer (243 sika) and 8,360 antlerless deer (150 sika) for an unofficial total of 13,174 during the October muzzleloader season, representing a decrease of 133 deer (1.0%) over last year's unofficial total for the same period.

Fall turkey hunters reported taking 205 wild turkeys during the one-week season that ended on November 4, representing a 50% increase from the 2005 harvest of 137 turkeys. Fall turkey hunting is only permitted in the three westernmost counties. Allegany and Garrett counties reported the highest harvest with 80 turkeys each, followed by Washington County with 45 turkeys reported. Favorable weather during the season and above-average reproduction last summer likely contributed to the increase.

The 2006-07 hunting season marks the second year of telephone and Internet check-in for deer and turkeys. The new check-in system has proven to be accurate, convenient and economical, while allowing faster retrieval of harvest data. Further information on telephone and internet check-in, along with bag limits, season dates and other information, can be found in the 2006-2007 Guide to Hunting & Trapping in Maryland issued with each hunting license, or online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguid