We have three seasons: bow, muzzleloader and firearms. In Region A (Garrett and Allegany counties), the bag limit is one antlered and antlerless deer per season.

In Region B (all other counties), the bag limit is two antlered and 10 antlerless deer per season.

During bow season, there's an unlimited antlerless limit in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince Georges counties.

Black Bear
G&F: How did this past season's bear hunt turn out?

Jayne: Maryland has about 550 bears, mainly in the western part of the state. We deem it necessary to keep the population under control, so it doesn't get out of hand like it has in other states. Hunters harvested 51 bears this past season, and the Division allows hunters to harvest only a limited number of bears.

Small Game
G&F: What's your assessment on the small-game populations in the state?

Jayne: Rabbits are the No. 1 small- game species, and their numbers are in good shape. There is no sizable pheasant population in the state. However, quail hunting is good in the eastern counties, and grouse hunting is the top small-game bird in the western portion of the state.

Both bird populations have remained stable in recent years. Maryland has several programs working to protect the habitat for these birds.

Turkeys
G&F: Give us a rundown on the turkey population and hunting.

Jayne: Gobbler hunters enjoyed a good spring season by harvesting 2,455 birds. Fall hunters bagged 205 birds.

Hunters may harvest two bearded birds a season, either two in the spring, or one in the spring and one in the fall, with either a shotgun or bow.

Waterfowl
G&F: Give us a rundown on the waterfowl populations in the state.

Jayne: The resident Canada goose population is estimated at about 85,000 birds, while the migratory populations varies from year to year.

Because the weather this past winter was mild, the numbers of migratory birds was higher.

The largest numbers of small ducks are mallards. Maryland has a healthy black duck population in coastal areas. It's very hard to characterize duck trends because the birds move from state to state along the flyway.

Hunters did have a good waterfowl season this past year.

G&F: Have there been any health issues with waterfowl?

Jayne: The state constantly checks for avian influenza, which has not been a problem in Maryland.

G&F: Do you think the price of fuel will affect hunting in Maryland?

Jayne: We don't expect too many problems with resident hunters because there is plenty of land throughout the state. Sportsmen can find places to hunt close by. Fuel prices will more than likely cut into hunters traveling across the state to hunt and might affect the numbers of out-of-state hunters coming to Maryland.