Carroll County hunters should be aware of several changes in the 1990-1991 deer hunting regulations as issued by the Forest, Park and Wildlife Service of Maryland's Department of Natural Resources:
* Second Deer Stamps: New this season is a regulation which allows hunters to obtain a second deer stamp for each of the three hunting seasons (bow, muzzleloader and firearms). The stamp is valid only for the season for which it is purchased and entitles the bearer to take one additional deer during that season.
In Carroll County, any extra deer taken during firearms season must be antlered. If you possess an antlerless deer permit, you can take an antlered deer first, and then take the antlerless deer, provided you possess a second deer stamp for the firearms season.
* Antlerless Deer Permits: An Antlerless Deer Permit is required to hunt antlerless deer in Carroll County during the regular deer firearms season.
An antlered deer is any deer with two or more points to one antler or a deer with one antler 3 or more inches long, measured from the top of the skull. An antlerless deer is any deer lacking such antlers.
To obtain a permit to take an antlerless deer, an application must be mailed to: Antlerless Deer Permit, Forest, Park and Wildlife Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Tawes State Office Building, Annapolis, Md. 21401.
Permits will be issued by a lottery system and only hunters who are awarded such permits are permitted to take an antlerless deer.
* Bow Season: Season for white-tailed deer runs through Nov. 23, Dec. 3 to 21 and Jan. 7 to 31. The bag limit is one deer and a second deer may be taken only by hunters possessing a Second Deer Bow Stamp.
Bows must be hand-held, hand-drawn and held in drawn position by hand.
Arrows must be sharpened broadheads at least seven-eighths of an inch in width and the bow must have a pull of not less than 30 pounds. Release aids are permitted.
Use of crossbows and poisoned arrows is prohibited. Bows also may be used for hunting during firearms and muzzleloader seasons.
* Muzzleloader Season: Season for white-tailed deer is Dec. 22 to Jan.
5, with a limit of one deer and one additional deer with a Second Deer Muzzleloader Stamp.
Muzzleloaders must be at least .40-caliber and use not less than 60 grains of black powder and propel one all-lead or lead-alloy soft-nosed or expanding bullet or ball at a single discharge. Telescopic and laser sights are forbidden, although visually impaired people with a certificate from an ophthalmologist may apply for a permit to use a telescopic sight.
