Deer in Maryland

An Introduction and Brief History
 
The White-tailed deer is a native species to the eastern portions of the North American continent including the state of Maryland. Prior to the arrival of European immigrants, these deer were hunted by the Native Americans year-round and preyed upon by gray wolves and mountain lions. Though no estimates are available of the size of the deer herd during pre-colonial times, it is estimated that there were approximately 2.3 million Native Americans living in the range of the white-tailed deer. It is also estimated that they annually harvested between 4.6 and 6.4 million animals. In this way, natural predation coupled with Native American hunting, the population of deer remained in balance. 
 
With the arrival of Europeans to this continent this balance was thrown off. Among the settlers, there was unregulated hunting of the deer and destruction of the wooded areas as the population expanded. Throughout the 1700 and 1800’s the American hunters were contributing greatly to the leather industry in England and almost completely exterminated the gray wolf and mountain lion populations. By 1900, white-tailed deer could only be found in the far western reaches of the state. Since the statewide hunting ban in 1902 deer populations have risen and are now carefully managed
 
The Sika deer is an exotic species in Maryland that is native to eastern Asia. They were first introduced to James Island in Dorchester County by Clement Henry and to Assateague Island in Worcester County by Dr. Charles Law during the early 1900’s. Sika deer inhabit marshes, swamps, and the associated woodlands and agricultural fields. Today their range includes such areas in Dorchester, Summerset, and Wicomico counties as well as Assateague Island. Current management practices are focused on maintaining current populations.
 
 
Maryland State Department of Natural Resources
 - White-tailed Deer
 - Sika Deer
 
Other General Deer Information Links
Wildlife Watcher- White-tailed Deer
Ocean City Tourism- Assateague Island
Assateague Island- Sika Deer