Late Muzzleloader
Deer Season Opens December 15
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Muzzleloader deer season reopens on December
15 in Maryland. An estimated 62,000 resident and 7,500 nonresident deer
hunters enjoy pursuing deer with muzzleloaders annually. Last year,
muzzleloader hunters took 6,924 deer (1,777 antlered and 5,147
antlerless) during the late season.
In Region A (Garrett and Allegany County), the total muzzleloader season
bag limit is two deer – 1 antlered and 1 antlerless. On public lands in
Region A, only antlered deer may be taken from December 15 through
December 28. Either sex deer may be taken on December 29, 2007 in Region
A. On all other lands in Region A, only antlered deer may be taken from
December 15 through December 26 and either sex deer may be taken from
December 27 through December 29, 2007.
In Region B (all counties except Garrett and Allegany), the total
muzzleloader season bag limit is 2 antlered deer and 10 antlerless deer.
Two antlerless deer must be taken before a second antlered deer is
pursued. In Region B, the two-week season runs from December 15 through
December 29.
Sika deer muzzleloader season is from December 15 through 29 in
Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties.
The total muzzleloader sika deer bag limit is 2 deer, 1 antlered and 1
antlerless.
“Muzzleloader season is an integral part of our deer management strategy
in Maryland,” said Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul A.
Peditto. “Maintaining a deer herd in balance with the environment and
the residents of Maryland remains a priority and is also an important
component in achieving healthy waterways. It’s also a great time of year
to be afield, whether you’re carrying a primitive side-lock or a modern
inline.”
Muzzleloader deer hunting combined with archery and firearm deer hunting
seasons provides outdoor recreation for over 74,000 Maryland citizens,
and manages white-tailed deer and sika deer numbers. Hunting contributes
more than $200 million annually to the state’s economy.
Successful Maryland deer hunters must register their deer within 24
hours of harvest by calling 1-888-800-0121 or online at
www.gamecheck.dnr.state.md.us. Before moving the deer from the place
of kill, hunters must immediately attach a field tag on the deer’s head
and record the harvest on their Maryland Big Game Harvest Record portion
of their hunting license. Both forms must be completed in ink. Upon
registering the deer, hunters will be given a confirmation number that
is to be recorded on the Big Game Harvest Record. See pages 32 – 33 of
the 2007 – 2008
Guide to Hunting & Trapping in Maryland for detailed
registration instructions.
For complete bag limits, season dates, and other deer hunting
information, visit
www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide.
