Photo by Vic Attardo.

True enough, many hunters grumble about the complexity of today’s deer management. But many related practices have produce added hunting opportunities.

The challenge of keeping deer numbers in balance with available habitat -- and also within acceptable social levels -- has a way of opening previous off-limits areas to hunting.

Added hunting days and weapon-specific hunts are also part of the current trend.

Yes, hunters may joke about the need for legal counsel to help keep them on the straight-and-narrow in the deer woods.

But there’s no doubt that avid sportsmen and women -- those are willing to explore the ever-evolving options -- now have more opportunities than ever.

Following is a look at Maryland and Delaware’s deer programs, the added hunting opportunities they’ve created and what’s in store for this season.

MARYLAND
The past decade or so has witnessed a significant increase in deer-hunting opportunities in the Free State. The establishment of zones, each with separate bag limits, has been a prime component of this positive development.

Sunday deer hunting has gradually crept into the picture. Crossbows have expanded from being an urban-deer management tool to being acknowledged with specific seasons.

And the Free State sportsmen still also enjoy some of the lengthiest bow seasons anywhere.

Even so, there’s reason for Maryland hunters to expect even more deer options this coming year.

Among the most significant items are additional public hunting lands.

“In Cecil County, the Bainbridge Wildlife Management Area came on line late last year,” notes Brian Eyler, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) deer project leader. “It’s a cooperative WMA. We would expect to have that property again for this season.”

Beginning in late December of last year, the DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service partnered with the Bainbridge Development Corporation (BDC) to expand archery hunting opportunities in Cecil County.

The BDC will allow archery hunting for deer on their 1,200-acre property near Port Deposit.

Interested hunters must obtain a free seasonal permit and make a daily reservation to access the property through the Gwynnbrook Managed Hunt Permit office, located at 3740 Gwynnbrook Avenue in Owings Mills.

Reservations may be made up to eight days in advance. To obtain a seasonal permit or make a daily reservation, call the office at (410) 356-9272 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

“Prather’s Neck WMA, located in southern Washington County, also went online during the late bowhunting season last year,” said Eyler.

“We’re also working on at least two other land acquisitions. I don’t know for sure if they’re going to happen, but more than likely they will. Then it’s just a matter of when we can get a management plan in place.”

“The property offers excellent hunting and wildlife-associated recreation,” said Karina Blizzard, associate director of the Wildlife and Heritage Service, in announcing the addition of the state property earlier this year.

Since the purchase of the 215-acre parcel in 2006 with Program Open Space Funds, a parking lot designed to hold 10 vehicles has been installed to accommodate hunters.

Parking on this single lot will be restricted on a first-come basis.

Prathers Neck WMA may be accessed by traveling south on state Route 56 from Clear Spring, turning left onto Four Locks Road and then continuing onto Ankeney Lane, which ends at the designated hunter parking lot.

For more information, call the Wildlife and Heritage Service, Indian Springs Work Center at (301) 842-2702.

Hunters are reminded that the public land code for checking in deer and turkey for Prathers Neck is 269.

Last season, deer hunters enjoyed Sunday hunting in a list of Maryland counties.