Deer Management Update Meeting
DEER SITUATION UPDATE MEETING
DORSEY HALL, COLUMBIAJUNE 2ND 2026 at 6:00 PM
· The meeting was conducted by Mr. Tim Maynard from Howard County Recs and Parks.
· 2025-2026 has been a very successful year for deer management in Gray Rock Farm and Dorsey Search communities.
· There have been no complaints and no major issues.
· A total of 81 deer, comprising of 53 does, 6 no-antler bucks, and 22 bucks were managed on several dates in October, November and December – 24 in October, 47 in November and 10 in December.
· The season began with a total of 257 deer being counted, which is 168 per square mile. The season ended with 101 deer being counted which is 66 per square mile. That is a sizeable drop.
· The Plan for 2026-2027 is:10/1 and 10/29/2026, 11/9 and 11/24/2026, 12/14/2026 and 1/5/2027.The teams will begin 30 minutes before sunrise and work until 11:00am.They will of course watch the weather and any school closings.PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE CLOSURE SIGNS THAT ARE POSTED AHEAD OF TIME.
QUESTIONS
· There are 12 zones in Dorsey Hall and 11 zones in Gray Rock. The team members hunt from a tree which they choose appropriately within a zone. They usually need more arrows than they bring.
· The goal of the program is to maintain whatever the lowest number per square mile becomes.
· At present the county is surveying the destroyed trees and other foliage but does not plan to replant until around 40 deer per square mile can be maintained.
· The land between Gray Rock and Millers’ Grant is privately owned so it cannot be included in the Gray Rock Management.
· 66 deer per square mile is still an undesirable number. We were asked to be patient for a couple more years, as the team will ask for more tools to help their cause. Only so many team members can fit into each area, and if the deer are managed too many times or too often, they will avoid the zones.
· There are enough team members available for each date but they do need to be managed.
· There is a county website that publishes the data.
· There is a funding limitation and a full-time staff limitation. Tim Maynard is the only full-time staff member – 6 full timers would be ideal.
· 2025 made a difference. Time will improve the situation.
· Nothing can be done about homeowners feeding the deer as long as it is not in the open areas, but Mr. Maynard emphasized that feeding wildlife does not benefit them or us.
· The following items were mentioned at the end of the meeting regarding future management:Deer surveys; federal regulations regarding use of drones; federal contracts (FAA); contractors need to be identified.