Maryland hunters reported harvesting 10,889 deer on the opening weekend of the 2024 firearm season from November 30 – December 1, according to data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The overall deer harvest was nearly identical to last year’s official opening weekend harvest of 10,905 deer.
The harvest total included 4,947 antlered and 5,605 antlerless white-tailed deer, and 181 antlered and 156 antlerless sika deer. The two-week deer firearm season ran through December 14.
“Despite below normal temperatures and high winds, Maryland’s hunters had a successful firearms opening weekend and contributed to the management of deer across the state,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “Year after year, we are encouraged to see our most popular hunting season continue to be a success and new hunters taking advantage of the season.”
Hunters harvested 2,803 deer on the Sunday of the opening weekend. The Sunday harvest represented just over 25% of the total for the two days, despite not being open in all counties.
Hunters in Region A, which includes Allegany, Garrett, and western Washington counties, harvested 1,080 antlered deer, an 18% decrease from last year. Hunters in Region B, comprising the rest of the state, harvested 4,048 antlered and 5,761 antlerless deer.
The antlered harvest was down 10% while the antlerless harvest increased 13% from last year in the region.
Junior hunters harvested 2,490 deer during the Junior Deer Hunt Days November 16-17. The harvest was almost 12% higher than the official harvest of 2,226 last year. Juniors registered 1,673 antlered and 817 antlerless deer.
Unofficial results for the opening weekend by county are as follows:
Allegany—Junior Hunt (190) Opening Weekend (357 antlered)
Garrett—Junior Hunt (359) Opening Weekend (516)
Frederick – Junior Hunt (291) Opening Weekend (567)
Washington – Junior Hunt (212) Opening Weekend (471 antlered)