Thursday, February 19, 2009

MARYLAND NEWS: Record Deer Harvest in 2008

Hunters in Maryland killed more than 100,000 deer in a single season for the first time since modern deer management began in the early 1900s, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The record 100,437 deer taken during the 2008-09 season eclipsed the previous record of 94,114 deer set in 2002-03 and is 9 percent higher than last year's count of 92,208 deer.

Agency officials said the number represents good news for families during tough economic times and for the state's efforts to reduce the deer population.

"Hunting license sales increased slightly this year, but we believe the major factor for the record harvest was that hunters increased their efforts to put more venison in the freezer during these lean economic times," said deer project leader Brian Eyler. "The 10 percent increase in the antlerless harvest is great news and will aid us in managing deer numbers across the state."

Source: Washington Post

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