|
Deer Hunting - A Valuable Management Tool for Private Landowners
Regulated hunting is the most effective and economical method of
controlling deer populations in many locales. Over 60 years of
experience and research confirm the effectiveness of deer hunting as a
means of deer population control. In most situations, private landowners
have the ability to regulate the deer harvest in order to reduce the
level of deer damage on their land. The most successful deer management
occurs when landowners play an active role.
Private landowners must strive with hunters to harvest appropriate
numbers of deer to meet deer management goals. The key element is to
have hunters taking adequate numbers to control the deer herd growth.
Deer populations are best managed when landowners utilize all
Maryland hunting seasons. Deer seasons and bag limits are established
for hunters using bows, modern firearms or muzzleloading firearms.
Maryland's bow deer season usually opens in mid September and closes at
the end of January. Firearms deer season traditionally opens the
Saturday following Thanksgiving Day and runs for two weeks. Muzzleloader
deer season usually is open in late October and for two
weeks in late December and early January. By understanding these
different seasons and hunting devices, a landowner can best address deer
management goals. The annual Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
publication "Hunting & Trapping in Maryland" describes the
current deer hunting seasons and bag limits. This publication is
available at the regional DNR offices listed below.
Tips For Landowners To Maximize Hunting Efficiency
What hunting seasons should be used?
All available hunting seasons should be used to maximize deer
population management.
Bow Season: Archery deer hunting is a silent and
discreet method of taking deer. Since bow hunters prefer to hunt out of
elevated portable tree stands, arrows travel short distances before
striking the ground. Archery hunters can hunt in sections of Maryland
closed to firearms due to county or municipal ordinances. Open lands
surrounded by development may be hunted tactfully by archers. Maryland
bow hunters average a 35 percent success rate.
Firearm Season: Deer hunting with modern firearms is the most popular deer hunting
method. The use of rifles or shotguns is closely regulated on a county
by county basis. Many hunters schedule their vacation around this
season. Over half of all deer harvested in Maryland are taken with
firearms. Maryland firearm hunters have a 45% success rate.
Muzzleloader Season: Muzzleloader deer hunting continues to
grow in popularity in Maryland. Muzzleloaders have an effective range
similar to a shotgun. Muzzleloaders are fired once and must be reloaded.
Improvements in muzzleloader technology have increased the effectiveness
of this one shot firearm. Thirty-six percent of muzzleloader hunters take at
least one deer across the state.
How can landowners find potential hunters?
Talk to hunters that are in your service club, your place of worship,
your workplace or your hobby club. They may need a place to hunt or know
of hunters that are looking for deer hunting property. Income from a
hunting lease can help to offset the monetary losses from deer damage.
Place a classified advertisement in a local newspaper which indicates
that your farm is available for a deer hunting lease. Local sporting
goods stores usually have areas where notices can be posted. Clubs also
advertise their desire to lease properties at these locations.
Should landowners screen potential hunters on their property?
In order to attract ethical, safe and effective hunters, landowners
may encourage hunters to have a certain level of experience and
training. Suggest that hunters be graduates of Maryland's Hunter
Education Course. Hunters that live close to the property may be able to
hunt frequently, thus be more successful. Select hunters with a number
of years of deer hunting experience. Require hunters under 16 years of
age to be accompanied by an adult hunter.
How many hunters should be on property?
Have at least one hunter for each 25 acres of woodland open to
hunting. It is possible to have a greater hunter density depending on
the topography and surrounding property. During bow season, the density
could be one bow hunter per 15 acres of woodland. Hunters should be
distributed evenly across the property to maximize deer harvest. The
most common error is to not have enough hunters distributed across the
property.
How can hunter cooperation and safety be stressed?
Meet with individual hunters or the hunting club prior to each
season. Maps can be distributed at the meeting to indicate hunting
areas, hazards and safety zones. Any rules can be discussed at this
meeting. Hunting areas can be assigned which will ensure an even
distribution of hunters and increase safety. Requiring the use of
portable tree stands can increase safety. Shots taken from elevated tree
stands create a quick downward flight of bullets or arrows. In future
years, written information concerning any land use changes may be
supplied to a hunting club spokesman which reduces the need for an
annual meeting. Chronic violators of property rules should be excused
from the land.
How can the property owner encourage effective deer harvest?
Open as much of your property to hunting as you feel
comfortable with. Deer hunting on 400 acres of a 500 acre farm will more
effectively manage deer than hunting 100 acres of this farm. Hunter
density (at least one hunter per 25 acres of woods) and hunter
distribution across the property should be emphasized. Remember that the
key element to controlling deer numbers is to harvest adequate numbers
of does. Hunters may be limited to taking no more than one antlered buck
during each season (bow, firearm and muzzleloader). Hunters may be
required to take an antlerless deer before harvesting an antlered buck
during each season. Suggest that the hunting club have deer drive hunts
using unarmed drivers near the end of the two week firearms season. Request copies of the possession tags for deer taken
off of the farm.
There are many different ways for landowners to encourage adequate
doe deer harvest. Some landowners make the hunting lease renewal
dependent on a certain level of doe harvest. Other landowners have been
successful by increasing the overall lease cost and then allowing the
club to reduce it to an approved minimum level by harvesting a set
number of does. The options are only limited by safety, the imagination
of the landowner and hunting club and the deer hunting regulations.
How does the landowner handle trespass problems?
Make sure that boundary lines are properly marked and
maintained. Signs can be used to mark property boundaries. Signs may
read "Hunting by Permission Only", "Posted: No Trespassing", or "Posted:
Big Doe Hunting Club".
Maryland law also allows property owners to use bright
blue oil base paint on trees to mark property boundaries. The paint mark
must be a vertical mark at least 2 inches wide and at least 8 inches in
length. The mark must be at least 3 feet from the ground but no more
than 6 feet high. An observer should be able to see marks to his left
and right when standing between marked trees. Your hunters can assist
with boundary maintenance.
Issue a signed "Permission to Hunt" card to each hunter.
All deer hunters must have written permission in order to deer hunt.
Require hunters to provide you with tag numbers of their vehicles.
Become familiar with the local Natural Resources Police Officer and
prosecute all hunting and trespass violations. Members of the hunting
club will be pleased to help you enforce trespass violations.
How can a landowner protect himself against potential liability
related to deer hunting?
Lawsuits brought by hunters against consenting landowners are
extremely rare. The following suggestions will help to further reduce
the limited likelihood of any legal proceedings. Indicate on the
property map any potential hazards. Hazards may include abandoned wells,
old gravel pits, sink holes, cliffs or vacant buildings. If you are not
sure if a feature is a hazard, place it on map to be safe. Make sure
that all recreating on your property receive a copy of the map.
If you lease your property to a hunting club, require the club to
acquire liability insurance coverage for hunting activities. This
liability insurance will provide coverage for the landowner in the rare
occurrence of a lawsuit. Contact your insurance agent for information
regarding hunting liability insurance. Your hunting club may have access
to liability insurance through non-profit conservation organizations.
More detailed information on landowner liability can be
found in the publication "Recreational Access and Landowner Liability in
Maryland". This publication can be purchased from your local county
Cooperative Extension Service office (see the government pages of the phone book in the County Government section under Extension
Service).
How can the deer management program be evaluated?
Damage to crops will stabilize and then decline when adequate numbers
of deer are removed from the property. If hunter pressure is relatively
stable, hunter success rates will generally follow deer population
trends. As deer numbers stabilize and decline, the numbers of deer taken
by the hunters will stabilize and then drop. If crop damage continues to
increase and/or hunters success rate climbs, additional antlerless deer
need to be removed. Be patient. It may take two to three years before
you notice reduced crop damage.
Well managed deer hunting will effectively manage deer numbers when
conducted on an annual basis. Using the preceding standards will provide
for a professional and friendly relationship between the landowner and
the hunting group. Hunters appreciate the opportunity to hunt and will
cooperate with reasonable rules such as the ones indicated. A balanced
hunting program will reduce trespass and littering problems as well as
provide for effective deer management.
For Additional Information:
-
Western Regional Office (Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and
Washington counties): 3 Pershing Street; Room 110; Cumberland, MD
21502; 301-777-2136.
-
Central Regional Office (Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford,
Howard, Montgomery counties and Baltimore City): 2 South Bond St.;
Bel Air, MD 21014; 410-836-4557.
-
Eastern Regional Office (Caroline, Dorchester, Kent,
Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester counties): P.O. Box 68, Wye Mills MD 21679; 410-827-8612.
-
Southern Regional Office and Headquarters (Anne Arundel, Calvert,
Charles, Prince George's, St. Mary's counties): Tawes State Office
Building, E-1; 580 Taylor Ave.; Annapolis, MD 21401; 410-260-8540.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognizes the positive
benefits of hunting through the DNR Hunting Policy described below.
Maryland DNR Hunting Policy: The Maryland Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) is dedicated to helping people enjoy nature and live
in harmony with our natural resources. Our goal is to maintain vibrant
natural communities, with abundant wildlife resources, and diverse
outdoor opportunities for recreation and economic growth.
It is the policy of DNR to conserve and manage the wildlife
resources of the State to provide safe and enjoyable hunting
opportunities to the citizens of Maryland and its visitors, to manage
and make available for public use and enjoyment the lands with which
it has been entrusted and to improve the public's understanding and
interest in the State's wildlife resources through information and
outreach programs.
DNR carries out educational and training programs to improve
awareness, appreciation and conservation of Maryland's natural
resources. Through coordinated programs, such as hunter education, and
the provision of other recreational opportunities such as
"Becoming an Outdoors Woman," our objective is to encourage
sportsmanship, instill an environmental ethic and promote public
safety.
Revenues from hunting licenses and federal excise taxes on hunting
equipment provide for the scientific investigation, conservation,
protection and management of wildlife, as well as the training of safe
and ethical hunters.
Your stewardship and thoughtful use of our natural resources, as
partners, will continue to enhance the high quality of living that we
enjoy in Maryland.
Document prepared by:
L. Douglas Hotton
Contact: Brian Eyler, Deer Project
Leader
Game Program
Wildlife and Heritage Service
Maryland Department of Natural Resource
Phone: 301-842-0332
| 
