Shore Bet for Big Whitetail Bucks

“Maryland’s Eastern Shore whitetail hunts are a bargain,” I said to my poker buddy as he complained about the high cost of Mid-Western deer hunts.  “Instead of $3,000 and up, a quality hunt with a good chance for a P&Y buck is half that price.”  I used to write for Mid-Atlantic Game and Fish Magazine, where my job was to write about the big deer taken in Maryland.  Continually, those “best-of-the-year-deer came from the Eastern Shore.

Maryland is Super Hunter Friendly

A Whitetail deer tag in the Mid-West can cost $300-$500 and one of the areas I hunt in South Dakota, tags go for $1,000.  Those are just tags, plus you must buy a general hunting license, conservation stamp, archery, tag, etc.  The price of a Maryland Nonresident Hunting License is $160.00. For those aged 65 and above, Maryland offers a Nonresident Senior Hunting License at a cost of $65.00. This is available for purchase in the year a nonresident hunter turns 65. For younger enthusiasts under 16, a Nonresident Junior Hunting License is available at $80.00.  This is a full year’s license and includes up to four bucks, 10 does, two wild turkeys and small game. Such a deal!

Why Shore Bucks are Big.

Maryland’s Eastern Shore is blessed with rich, fertile soil that grows excellent crops that are bordered by dense pine growth, swamps, and an impenetrable plant called phragmites.  This weed grows prolifically on the Shore, is 8-10 feet tall and as thick as dog hair.  Additionally, this region is known for waterfowl hunting and many farms are leased specifically for waterfowl.  As a result, these landowners don’t welcome deer hunters because they compete for lucrative leases, making them sanctuaries for excellent age structure.

Pick Your Season

Jeff Harrison took this big Maryland buck on September 15th, the usual opening day.  Recently, Maryland has moved their season to the first week of September giving you the chance for a velvet buck.  Lush croplands are visited regularly in early season, but hunters must prepare for mosquitoes and warm weather.  November 15th is the typical rut peak, and the two weeks prior are dynamite for rut-style hunting.  Maryland’s archery season closes on January 31, giving archers great late-season opportunities.  Crossbows, recurves, and compounds are legal in all regular archery seasons.

What’s it Like

I hunted with George Hopkins a few years ago and visit each February at the Great American Outdoor Show to catch up.  He and his son operate in Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties, known for big deer, and spread their clients over a series of farms in a huge area.  They plant corn, soybeans, clover and sunflowers to entice deer and baiting is allowed.  They offer archery, muzzleloading, and shotgun hunt from 3-6 days, ranging from three to six days costing $1200 to $2,000.  The Eastern Shore is known for hospitality and it’s easy to combine a hunting trip/family vacation in the area.  Known as “The Land of Pleasant Living,” great restaurants abound.  A web search will turn up numerous outfitters on the Shore or to contact Hopkins Deer Hunting, click here.  Good Luck!