Maryland hunters harvested 19,054 deer during the opening weekend of the 2009 firearm season. Hunters took 20 percent more deer during the weekend than last year’s season opener with 15,880 deer.

The numbers reported that 8,072 antlered deer and 10,982 antlerless deer were taken. Sika deer made up 218 of the antlered and 221 of the antlerless deer totals.

"Windy conditions on Saturday may have slowed the harvest slightly, but hunters took advantage of better conditions on Sunday and posted a strong overall harvest for the weekend," Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service Deer Project Leader Brian Eyler said.

The two-week deer firearm season will continue until Sat., Dec. 12. Sunday hunting is permitted in 19 Maryland counties on private land only.