Landowner Information:
The TCDMA works closely with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to survey properties for deer damage and obtain deer management permits (where applicable) to harvest excess deer. A program of deer population control through safe but effective hunting can result in the following ecological values: fewer deer/vehicle collisions; reduced damage to farm crops, trees, shrubbery, flowers and vegetable gardens; improved habitat for other wildlife species; and lower incidence of Lyme disease. The Tri-County Deer Management Association provides its services to landowners free of charge, and will post the property boundaries against trespassing.
TCDMA
members are trained to safely hunt in areas where deer populations are
excessive, where public safety is of the utmost concern, and where privacy and
discretion are desired. Using legal and
humane hunting measures, the TCDMA can achieve a win-win scenario for the
landowner, the hunter and the natural environment. Controlled hunting is the preferred tool in
the long-term resolution of deer-human conflicts (see the EPA Impact
Report and MD
DNR Report ). With landowner
permission, and where it is safe to do so, TCDMA hunters will use the “weapon
of the season” to harvest excess deer;
however, archery hunting is our primary choice and is the most effective
and safe method to control deer numbers in urban and suburban areas where
firearms use is unsafe.
All members of the TCDMA are experienced bowhunters
from Maryland or nearby Pennsylvania.
Each member has harvested at least five big game animals with a bow and
arrow, each hunter must pass a shooting proficiency test every year, and all
concentrate their hunting in central
The TCDMA insures its members under a two-million-dollar
general liability insurance policy while on project properties. Even though bowhunting
has an extremely low accident rate, each member must waive the liability of
participating landowners against injuries that might occur. The State of
Since each property situation is unique with its own requirements and limitations, the TCDMA will work in every way possible to tailor specific projects to insure satisfaction. However, the TCDMA is not a quick fix. Properly reducing the size of a deer herd and managing it to prevent future overpopulation takes a dedicated long-term effort. Our program primarily focuses on the harvest of excess antlerless deer. A mature doe can produce two or three fawns per year – in areas receiving little or no population control, this birth rate can double the deer numbers annually.
Contact information: via electronic message – info@tcdma.com
via US Post Office – TCDMA, P.O. Box 424, Riderwood, MD 21139-0424