Maryland’s Incredible Whitetail/Elk Combo Hunt

Jim Shockey is one of America’s best-known hunters and films his world-wide adventures for his TV shows.  Given the nature of Maryland’s Sika deer, it’s no wonder that Shockey visited the Eastern Shore for this unique trophy.  Sika deer, the Asian elk by genus/species, found a home in the swamps of Maryland’s Eastern Shore and has become one of the most challenging game animals in the East.  Known for exceptionally fine-tasting venison, these creatures mimic several of the behaviors of Western elk such as bugling and wallowing.  They differ in size and activity with the Sika moving mostly at first and last light.

Whitetails Too

This giant whitetail deer came from Wicomico County, one of the many counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore that produce giant deer.  This huge buck grossed 203 B&C and is truly every hunter’s dream.  The prospect of taking a big whitetail buck and a Sika stag on the same license is just one of the major reasons this hunting combo is so popular.  Licenses are available online or over-the-counter and non-residents have the same bag limits as residents.

Prime, Prime Time

Sika deer are difficult to hunt because they are very nocturnal and live in dense swamps where vegetation is thick and mosquitoes even thicker.  One of the best times to hunt them is in mid-October during their mating period.  Males bugle by making a high-pitched, multi-tone whistle which can be heard for quite a distance on calm days.  Since these animals chase through swamps, their splashing is a real rush when the sounds suddenly head in your direction.  For 2023, Maryland’s early muzzleloading season opens from October 19 to 21 but excludes archery from these dates.  Many sportsmen choose to bowhunt and muzzleloader hunt during this rutting time.  Also, whitetail deer often have their early rut in mid-October when a few does come into estrus a month earlier than the normal cycle.

What’s It Like

Mid-October is the mating season for Sika deer and the time of peak activity during daylight.  The above picture gives an idea of the type of terrain that you may be hunting in and it’s not for sissies.  I have two friends who cherish this hunt and have been successful, but only with a lot of planning and work.  They use a canoe to get to a remote bay and then search for spots on high grounds in the swamps.  Sikas make trails like Western elk and whitetail deer and they scout until they find several trails crossing and deploy a climbing tree stand.  They wear chest waders since wading through shallow water is a near certainty.  They hunt with muzzleloaders, yet each is an avid archer and they may hunt a day or two with crossbows before the muzzleloading season opens.

Public or Private Land

If you have limited time to scout and prep for this hunt, it may be best to book a guided hunt.  Sika deer hunts have become popular and this is a good way to “learn the ropes” for future excursions on your own.  With the advent of OnX Maps and other mapping apps, locating boundaries is much easier and so is “staying found.”  You will probably have to hunt until the last minutes of legal shooting light and few things are as disorienting as a swamp at night.  The Blackwater Wildlife Refuge is a huge chunk of public land and is popular with hunters.  Sika hunting is legal in all Maryland counties with Worchester being the most popular.  The Maryland DNR offers special hunts on public lands like the Assateague Island National Seashore, however, the drawing deadline for these hunts has passed.

Gearing Up-

Sika deer can be hunted in all three Maryland seasons- archery (including crossbows), muzzleloader, and firearm and if you are unsuccessful in one season, you can use the same license for another season.  A female sika deer will weigh between 40 and 50 pounds with males, stags, approaching 100 pounds.  Since these animals are smaller than whitetail deer, it may seem that heavy whitetail tackle with large cutting broadheads is not as important.  Not so. Not only will your target be small and often standing in weeds or shrubs, but it’s extremely difficult to trail a deer over water and through swamps.  You want as instant of a kill as possible.

Sources for this Hunt

These two out-of-state hunters (PA and NY) took great deer on a Shore hunt and you can too.  Maryland has tons of information on their DNR.Maryland.Gov website and an internet search of Sika deer will bring up numerous websites.  Here are people I’ve hunted with and used as resources.  Hopkins Deer Hunting can be reached at www.Hopkinshunting-Clays.com, www.Bucks-Bears-Stags.com is a comprehensive summary of Maryland hunting options, and Eastern Shore guide Corey Itnyre can be reached at 240-217-3692.  Best of luck.