ANNAPOLIS — Hunters in Somerset County during the two-week firearm season bagged 12.4% more white tailed deer this year than in 2023 with virtually all of the difference due to an increase in the number of antlerless deer.

From Nov. 30 through Dec. 14 there were 971 deer harvested of which 304 were antlered and 667 were antlerless. One year earlier the numbers were 301 and 563, respectively.

The total number of sika deer was 13 for both years, with nine antlered and four antlerless in 2024 compared to 8 antlered and five anterless in 2023.

Statewide hunters with firearms harvested 28,312 for a 9% increase year to year.

“The two week firearm season continues to be our most popular deer season,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said.

“We’d like to thank all those who participated in the management of Maryland’s deer population this firearms season and congratulate those hunters who were successful in putting venison in their freezers.”

By comparison, among the Lower Shore’s four counties only Worcester had an increase of 11.6% with 1,562 whitetails harvested. Dorchester County’s total of 905 was less by 6.3% and Wicomico County’s total of 1,172 was less than 2023 by 5.9%.

Wicomico, however, was the only county of the four to report an increase in the sika deer harvest with 128 which was 11.3% more than 2023.

This Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10-11 firearms season resumes with Sunday hunting on Jan. 12 on private and designated public land in Somerset, Worcester and Wicomico counties, and on private land only in Dorchester County.