Local farmers talk 2026 Doe Harvest Challenge coming at top of new year

DELMARVA. – Farmers from across the lower Eastern Shore held a meeting last night for the 2026 “Doe Harvest Challenge,” which is a way for local farmers to combat the deer problem on farmland.

The challenge is on the horizon, and farmers from Somerset, Wicomico, Dorchester, and Worcester are preparing for the event. Mike Knauer represents Dorchester County, he said the doe harvest is a benefit for everybody.

“We help remove the deer that we need to remove from crop damage, and we also help donate deer to the Maryland Food Bank.”

From January 9th to January 11th, each whitetail or sika harvested will allow for hunters to recieve a ticket. From there, they will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win $1,000.

Knauer says the deer population has devastated his county.

“Sika deer has been a huge problem for us the last 15 to 20 years. And talking to these guys, they are starting to migrate across the Nanticoke, so eventually if we don’t control them in Dorchester, it could be a bigger problem for the other counties.”

It’s a team effort to help control the deer population. Knauer tells WMDT that sika deer are different from whitetails. They are typically tougher and durable, many swimming through the rivers to get to crops. They also tend to move in large groups, in an attempt to run off whitetails.

Farmers are hoping to get more youth involved in this challenge. Knauer tells WMDT, not only would they be productive, but, it could raise them up to be future farmers of the next generation.

“Get the young people involved in hunting, so many of them get hung up playing video games, stuck in the house. So really this is just another avenue to get them outside.”

Knauer saying the farm bureaus across the lower shore are aiming big for this years harvest.

“I think every year, we try to increase the number of deer we harvest. I think last year we set a goal of 600, I think we were a little shy on that, but the weather didn’t cooperate. We’re always trying to make it bigger and better.”

Designated check-in stations will be open Jan 9th – 11th, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. And will open again from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Listed below are the locations in each county.

DORCHESTER COUNTY

East New Market Volunteer Fire Dept.

4020 ENM Bypass East New Market, MD

The Duck Shop Butcher Shop.

2025 Hudson Rd. Cambridge, MD

SOMERSET COUNTY

Winks Sporting Goods

12122 Carol Lane #A Princess Anne, MD

Wright’s Butcher Shop

26920 Siloam Rd. Salisbury, MD

WICOMICO COUNTY

Longhorn Butcher Shop

5296 Morris Rd. Pittsville, MD

Cosquay Farms

7890 Rockawaalkin Rd. Hebron, MD

WORCESTER COUNTY

Newark Station- Sunoco Gas Station

7167 Worcester Highway Newark, MD

Arthur’s Shooter Supply

7234 Old O.C. Rd. Berlin, MD