Maryland Airport

2021 Deer Management Plan

Submitted by: Bryan Day

Precision Firearm Services

On behalf of The Maryland Airport

Date: January 1st, 2021

Table of Contents:

A. Introduction 1

B. Area Specific Analysis of Deer Problem 2

C. Projected impacts to local, state and ecological conditions 2

D. Previous measures taken 3

E. Methods of removal 3

F. Notification of management activities 4

G. Protocol for carcass handling and collection of biological data 4

Appendix A: Sharpshooters and qualifications 5

Appendix B: Past practice, Letter of Authority 6

Appendix C: Property Maps 9

Appendix D: Charles County Attorney General Notification 11

Appendix E: Landowner / Facility Operator Approval 12

1

Introduction

This operation plan outlines deer management activities for the Maryland Airport

located in Indian Head Maryland. The Airport is located on approximately 410

acres at the intersection of Bumpy Oak and Livingston roads in a predominately

rural area. Adjacent properties are heavily wooded with significant tracts of

forest conservation. The airport also borders the Mattawoman National

Environmental Area. The airport runway, hangars, terminal and other commercial

areas comprise approximately 40% of the total acreage. The airport property

directly south of the main runway (approximately 20% of the total acreage) was

cleared in 2015 and is now covered in dense thicket. The remaining 30% of the

property is wooded. The airport and adjacent property are prime habitat for

whitetail deer. Deer in the vicinity of the runway or taxiway are safety hazard to

aviation and must be controlled to prevent potentially deadly collisions. The

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Academy of Sciences

(NAS) have developed manuals for wildlife management to help mitigate this

hazard. According to NAS publication AIRPORT WILDLIFE AND POPULATION

MANAGEMENT, “Airports are highly encouraged to adopt a “zero tolerance”

policy for deer and other large vertebrates at airports. Shooting is the best

procedure for removing the deer if fencing is inadequate to keep them away from

an airport or if they breached the airport’s fence … Nighttime shooting is often

the most effective means and can help to keep the program out of public view”.

This advice is echoed in the FAA publication “Wildlife Hazard Management at

Airports; A Manual for Airport Personnel”

The objective of this plan is to outline the safest possible approach to ensure a

stable population and aviation safety. The initial population estimates done in

2018 indicated the need to reduce a population of approximately 110 by

approximately 1/4 to 80. Surveys performed after the initial analysis and

experience gained in 2019 and 2020 indicate a larger population than expected.

This may be due to favorable weather and habitat as well as the margin of error

inherent is statistically based surveys. Current estimates and field experience

indicate a need to cull 60 deer in 2021. Qualified sharpshooters will use

specialized equipment and tactics to ensure public safety at all times.

2

Area Specific Analysis of Deer Problems

The Maryland Airport sits in an area of prime whitetail habitat that offers an abundance of food,

water and safe spaces. Despite recreational hunting, there remains an overabundance of

deer. Deer frequent the runways and surrounding areas creating a potential threat to life and

property.

Population Estimate

Line transect spotlight surveys were conducted on December 22, December 29 and December

30 2018 to estimate the deer population. Using a thermal imager and a vehicle travelling in

straight line traversing 4100 feet of runway area, 15 deer were counted on the first night, 5

were counted on the second night and 14 were counted on the third. Average width of the

survey area was 450 feet yielding a sample area of 1,845,00 square feet or 42.4 acres.

Extrapolating the average number of sightings (11.4) to the total airport acreage of 410

produces an estimate of 110 deer on the property. Subsequent surveys done July 23, 2019

(19 deer) and August 17, 2019 (34 deer) counted a significantly higher average of 26.5 deer in

the same 42.4 acre area indicating an overall population of 255 deer. While this number may

somewhat high, camera and foot surveys confirm the original estimates were significantly low.

The current estimate, based on all available data, indicates the need to reduce the population

by 60 animals in 2021.

Number of deer to be removed

Based on the spotlight surveys, trail camera data and informal browse surveys, the deer

population on the airport appears to be growing steadily. The 2020 LOA issued by Maryland

DNR specified 60 deer to be removed. Stabilizing the population to prevent excessive risk of

collision with aircraft will require removal of 60 deer in 2021. Safety of airport operations

requires ongoing deer management activities. Execution of this plan will be phased as needed

throughout the year. Population studies will be conducted yearly to determine effectiveness of

this approach.

Projected impacts of the operation to local, state and ecological

conditions

Deer control procedures outlined in this plan will have no impact to local, state and ecological

conditions.

3

Previous measures taken:

Prior to 2019, deer control at the Maryland Airport was accomplished under a Letter of

Authority issued by Maryland Department of Natural resources. The previous LOAs allowed

shooting of twenty-five deer in a one-year period. Previous LOAs stipulated; “Shooting of deer

is permitted using firearms (rifle or shotgun) or archery equipment (bow or crossbow) and may

only be conducted by the shooters authorized on the face of the LOA.” This plan was

approved in 2019 and again in 2020 to replace the LOAs of past years. Precision Firearms

Services has safely and successfully operated under the previous approvals. The 2021 plan is

a continuance of current and past practice; no new measures are added.

Methods of removal:

Deer removal will be accomplished under this plan by MD DNR certified sharpshooters using

specialized equipment. Sharpshooting will be largely confined to the runway and adjacent

areas but may occur in wooded areas as needed. Public safety will be the highest priority at

all times. Safety of airport operations requires ongoing deer management activities. Execution

of this plan will be phased as needed throughout the year. All sharpshooters will be familiar

with the airport and surrounding properties. Sharpshooters will be a minimum of 150 yards

from any occupied structure and will verify that there is a safe backdrop for each shot.

Sharpshooting will occur from elevated positions, ground blinds or stationary vehicles.

Shooting zones will be directed away from buildings, structures, roads, vehicles, equipment

and bodies of water. Shooting zones will have a clear view to allow sharpshooters to visual

confirm their surroundings, including the foreground and backstop, are secure from movement

of vehicles, aircraft, pedestrians and non-target wildlife. Ground concealment and/or elevated

positions will be used in the areas adjacent to the runways where practical. Stationary

vehicles will be used in runway areas where structures are not permitted. Vehicle shooting

zones are designated in red on the shooting zone map in appendix C. Vehicles may

positioned as needed but will always be parked. All shooting will be from a stable platform.

Sharpshooters will ensure that all activities are appropriate for conditions at the time. Shooting

zones that accommodate ground blinds and/or elevated stands are designated in green on the

shooting zone map. Topography and cover in the green zones comprise a safe backdrop for a

number of possible locations. This enhanced margin of safety allows the sharpshooter to

choose the most advantageous position for weather conditions, time of year and hours of

operation. Sharpshooting will occur during daylight hours as allowed by airport operations and

between the hours of sunset and sunrise as needed. All sharpshooters will be certified by

Maryland DNR and will be listed in Appendix A – Sharpshooters. Sharpshooters will qualify

with each weapon and cartridge to be used. Qualifications will be verified by a certified rifle

instructor, approved by Maryland DNR and listed on the Deer Cooperator permit.

4

Notification of management activities

Notification will be provided to the Maryland Natural resources police and the Charles County

Sheriff’s office prior to commencement of sharpshooting.

Protocol for processing, carcass handling and collection of

biological data

All deer harvested will be field tagged with the DCP number, name of actual shooter, DNRid

and the date of harvest before being field dressed on location and transported to a local

processor or processed by the shooter. Local deer processors may also receive deer for

processing and they will process the deer for human consumption and will take care of meat

preparation, disposal of offal/inedible by-products, and venison donation if the meat is not

taken by the shooters.

Within 24 hours, each deer taken under this authority will be reported via the DNR reporting

system as required under the Deer Cooperator permit. Antlers of any deer taken will be tagged

with the DCP number, shooter name, DNRid and address, county and date of harvest.

The antlers of deer taken under this authority will be taken to the nearest Wildlife & Heritage

Service office within 10 days of possession.

Accurate records of all harvests will be maintained by the permittee and provided to Maryland

DNR as required - Quarterly as specified on the permit and a summary at the conclusion of

management activities.

5

Appendix A: Sharpshooters

The following individuals are authorized to conduct deer control activities as

specified in this plan. Maryland DNR will be notified immediately of any changes.

Changes to this appendix will be limited to authorized individuals and weapons.

Name: Robert Stanly Finson DOB: 10-03-1959

Name: Bryan Michael Day DOB: 12-16-1987

6

Appendix B: Past Practice, 2020 Letter of Authority

7

8

9

Appendix C: Maps - Property Map

10

Appendix C: Maps – Shooting Zones

11

Appendix D: Charles County Attorney General Notification