Crimedog, I also live in MD and the bad news is this:

Handgun Regulations
Modern and muzzleloading handguns may be used to hunt forest game (handgun hunting for turkey only during the fall season), upland game (except dove and woodcock) and coyote, fisher, fox, nutria, opossum, raccoon, skunk, woodchuck. However, modern handguns may be used to hunt deer only in those counties where the use of a breech-loading rifle for deer hunting is permitted with the exception that modern handguns may be used to hunt deer throughout Frederick County. Any modern handgun used for deer hunting must have a barrel length of 6 inches or more and use ammunition which produces a muzzle energy of 700 foot-pounds or more.


As far as pistols go, I think my next purchase will be a Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull. I like the Target Grey color and the ring mounts. It's only available in the 7-1/2" barrel now. If you want to go plinking, you can shoot cheaper .45 Colt rounds through it. The .454 Casull and .45 Colt rounds are easier to find also.

I was considering the .460 S&W but everyone I talked to did not like the recoil although the ballistics look better. If you can shoot a .460, I would do that before buying one.

Good luck