The truth about Maryland's deer population can be read in HB9, the Deer Management Bill that was introduced by the MSA, and passed both the Maryland House and Senate in the 2002 Legislative session. The preamble of this bill describes the current state of Maryland's deer population, and the problems it is causing. 

                         “The current population of deer in the State of Maryland, which is estimated at

more than 250,000, is far beyond what the available habitat can accommodate

            Despite the disruption of rural habitat areas because of development projects and

recreational uses, deer are remarkably adaptable to residential areas, including urban

and suburban sprawl areas, where they enjoy safety from natural predators and hunters

                        As demonstrated by a 1998-1999 survey of Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery,

and Prince George's counties in which the number of deer in the areas studied increased

by approximately 50% in the course of only 1 year, this population is not only thriving but 

reproducing at a startling rate

                        When a deer herd reaches its upper density limits, as is now the case, the results

are the poor health and weakened physical condition of the animals themselves, as well as their

overconsumption of native plants, shrubs, and trees that are necessary for the survival of other 

species in the natural ecosystem

In tandem with this multiplication of the deer population have been alarming

spikes in the rate of tick-borne illnesses transmitted to human beings, such

as Lyme disease

The rate of reported deer-vehicle collisions has more than doubled in the State

since 1990, and these collisions have caused multiple fatalities and serious injuries

Deer-vehicle collisions likewise cause property damage of about $10 million per

year, which, in turn, leads to higher insurance rates for all drivers

A recent University of Maryland study found that, because of deer, 92% of the

State's farmers suffer damage to corn, wheat, and soybean crops, an annual

economic loss in excess of $38 million which is considered a conservative estimate because 

it does not include damage to fruits, vegetables, and other crops;

Non-lethal control mechanisms, such as fencing, fertility control, repellents,

relocation, deterrent reflectors along roadways, and behavior modification

by the installation of lights, have proven largely ineffective because they cannot

be used routinely and inexpensively and moreover, they impact only a small number of deer

                        Extended research has shown that hunting is the most effective method to reduce

the size of the deer herd, and it is likewise the most cost-effective method to do

so

Since the annual revenue associated with deer hunting in Maryland is approximately $80 million,

hunters provide a significant boost to local economies, and their license fees also cover all

associated program cost

The increased harvest of deer by hunting is thus necessary for the public interest and to stabilize 

the deer population and manage it more appropriately “

Sources used:

 http://mlis.state.md.us/2002rs/bills/hb/hb0009t.rtf