Maryland’s sika deer herd started with five animals 100 years ago, and today there are between 10,000 and 20,000 animals. The estimate is so vague because the animals live in thick, swampy terrain where conducting an accurate count is very difficult; the same reason hunting them is such a challenge. Sika are Asian elk, not deer, and share some characteristics with Yellowstone elk. They have a three-note, whistling bugle, make wallows, and rub trees during the rut. They are more nocturnal than whitetail deer except during the mid-October rut when stags roam about searching for hines.
Where to Hunt Sika Deer
Two state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Dorchester County offer sika hunting opportunities. For information about the 1,000-acre Taylor’s Island WMA or the 20,000+-acre Fishing Bay WMA, call the district office at LeCompte WMA: 410-376-3236.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge allows permit hunts. For more information, call 410-228-2677.
Along the ocean in Worcester County, Assateague Island National Seashore allows a full season of sika hunting with separate bag limits from the state. For more information, call 410-641-3030.
Bag limits and other regulations are listed for sika deer in the Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland.
In addition to a Maryland hunting license, you must have insect repellent, hip boots, a boat or canoe (strongly recommended on public hunting lands), and, most importantly, time, patience, and a little luck.
Key Tips for Hunting Public Land
- Terrain & Gear: Expect deep mud, tidal water, and thick phragmites (tall reed grass). Waterproof boots, waders, hip boots, and a GPS unit are essential.
- Go Deep: Sika pressure on public land is high. Users on forums like Saddlehunter Community and public-land DIY hunters recommend walking well past standard parking boundaries and deep into the marsh interior to find less-pressured animals.
- The Rut: The peak of the sika rut happens in mid-to-late October, when stags become vocal, aggressive, and responsive to bugling calls.
- Licenses & Stamps: Residents and non-residents must carry a valid Maryland hunting license, and non-residents also need a non-resident sika deer stamp. Check the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for exact current season dates and bag limits.
