Maryland DNR Announces Junior Deer Hunt Day

Annapolis, Md. (October 29, 2009) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites young hunters to participate in Maryland’s 15th Junior Deer Hunt day on Saturday, November 14, 2009.

Firearms hunting for white-tailed and sika deer will be open to hunters age 16 and younger who are accompanied by an unarmed, licensed (or exempt from license requirement) adult who is at least 21.

“Junior deer hunt day is dedicated to mentoring young people in the traditions of hunting and promoting an appreciation of our natural resources,” said Pete Jayne, DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service Associate Director for Game Management. “The day provides an opportunity for experienced adult deer hunters to pass on the knowledge and skills required for safe, effective and ethical hunting.”

All hunters participating are required to pass a hunter education course. The Maryland hunter education course includes instruction and testing in safety, hunter responsibility, firearms handling and the principles of wildlife management.

Successful junior deer hunters are encouraged to visit one of Maryland’s junior hunter certificate agents to receive a special certificate for any deer they harvest. This certificate is available to successful junior hunters during any of the Maryland deer hunting seasons.

Participating certificate agents, as well as complete bag limits, season dates, deer registration procedures and other information, can be viewed at www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide.

The Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping 2009-2010 issued with each hunting license contains detailed information about all of Maryland’s hunting seasons.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov