Judging by preliminary numbers compiled by the Department of Natural Resources, Maryland deer hunters had a good modern firearms season, even though the two-week total of 31,585 deer is well below last year's take of 34,251.
According to Wildlife Division game managers, the take was off primarily because of changes in regulations on antlerless deer in the western counties.
In all or parts of Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick and Carroll counties, only antlered deer could be hunted in the first week of the season.
In Carroll and the agricultural areas of Frederick (Zone 2) and Washington (Zone 1) counties, antlered deer could be taken Dec. 5-10, but in Zone 1 of Frederick and Zone 2 of Washington and in Allegany and Garrett counties, the antlerless hunt was limited to Dec. 9 and 10 for those with the proper permits.
The changes in regulations were designed to ensure that the deer population remains stable in those counties, where there traditionally has been strong hunting pressure.
The DNR estimates that the take in those counties was reduced by 14 percent during gun season.
Through the rest of the state, despite mostly good hunting conditions, the take was slightly lower than last year.
DNR estimates that 100,000 deer hunters spent about 500,000 days in the field and contributed approximately $100 million in economic activity.
Kerchal fund
Bryan Kerchal, the only amateur to win the BASS Masters Classic, was buried Tuesday in Newtown, Conn. Kerchal, 23, who won the Classic this past summer, was killed in a plane crash last week in North Carolina while returning from a promotional appearance.
Kerchal's family has formed the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Fund to support youth fishing charities and asks that memorial contributions be sent to the fund, care of B.A.S.S. Inc., 5845 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, Ala. 36117.
The telecast of Kerchal's amazing victory in the Classic against the top professional bass fishermen in the world will be shown as scheduled at noon and 9 p.m. Christmas Day on The Nashville Network.
DEER COUNTS
The following are preliminary county-by-county totals for deer taken during the two-week modern firearms hunting season:
............ Opening
................ Day ..... 1994 ...... 1993
County ........... 1994 ..... total ...... total
Allegany ........ 1,283 ..... 2,340 ...... 2,206
A. Arundel ........ 289 ....... 880 ........ 827
Baltimore ......... 546 ..... 1,361 ...... 1,309
Calvert ........... 268 ....... 495 ........ 628
Caroline .......... 319 ....... 762 ........ 828
Carroll ........... 616 ..... 1,469 ...... 2,172
Cecil ............. 576 ..... 1,249 ...... 1,477
Charles ........... 607 ..... 1,505 ...... 1,758
Dorchester ...... 1,316 ..... 2,551 ...... 2,623
Frederick ....... 1,004 ..... 2,153 ...... 2,553
Garrett ......... 1,077 ..... 1,944 ...... 2,415
Harford ........... 385 ..... 1,461 ...... 1,353
Howard ............ 302 ....... 660 ........ 597
Kent .............. 903 ..... 1,815 ...... 2,022
Montgomery ........ 391 ..... 1,306 ........ 922
P. George's ....... 177 ....... 606 ........ 521
Q. Anne's ......... 697 ...... 1487 ...... 1,637
St. Mary's ........ 316 ..... 1,017 ...... 1,114
Somerset .......... 427 ..... 1,000 ........ 976
Talbot ............ 417 ....... 996 ...... 1,077
Washington ........ 983 ..... 2,187 ...... 2,413
Wicomico .......... 444 ..... 1,074 ...... 1,246
Worcester ......... 684 ..... 1,537 ...... 1,540
Unknown ............ -- ........ -- ......... 37
Totals .......... 14,438* ... 31,585* ... 34,251
*Note: Totals include kill on Aberdeen Proving Ground and Smithsonian hunt in Anne Arundel County.
Source: Wildlife Division, Department of Natural Resources