Maryland 2025-2026 Game Season Outlook – Wildlife Management Areas & Dates
Maryland offers diverse hunting opportunities throughout its varied landscapes, from the mountains of Western Maryland to the marshlands of the Eastern Shore. Whether you’re pursuing whitetail deer in the forests, waterfowl in the Chesapeake Bay, or small game in farm country, the Old Line State provides abundant options for outdoor enthusiasts. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the upcoming 2025-2026 field sports calendar in Maryland, including season dates, wildlife management zones, and licensing requirements.
Maryland Hunting Season Quick Reference: Key Species & Dates 2025-2026
Maryland divides its territory into specific management regions for certain game species, particularly for deer. Understanding these regions is crucial for planning your outings. Here’s a quick reference table of major game seasons:
| Species | Season Opens | Season Closes | Primary Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer (Archery) | Sept. 5, 2025 | Jan. 31, 2026 | Bow, Crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer (Firearms) | Nov. 29, 2025 | Jan. 11, 2026 | Rifle, Shotgun |
| Spring Turkey | April 18, 2026 | May 23, 2026 | Shotgun, Bow |
| Fall Turkey | Nov. 1, 2025 | Nov. 9, 2025 | Multiple methods |
| Ducks (Eastern Zone) | Oct. 11, 2025 | Jan. 31, 2026 | Shotgun |
| Canada Goose (Early) | Sept. 1, 2025 | Sept. 25, 2025 | Shotgun |
| Black Bear | October 2025 | TBD | Rifle, Bow |
🦌 All Big Game: Archery & Rifle
White-tailed Deer – The Crown Jewel
Maryland’s white-tailed deer population offers some of the East Coast’s finest opportunities, with two distinct management regions providing varied experiences.
Antlered White-tailed Deer (Statewide)
- Archery Season: Sept. 5–Oct. 15, Oct. 19–Nov. 28, Dec. 15–Dec. 19, Jan. 4–Jan. 8, Jan. 12–Jan. 31
- Muzzleloader Season: Oct. 16–Oct. 18, Dec. 20–Jan. 3
- Firearms Season: Nov. 29–Dec. 13, Jan. 9–Jan. 11
- Bag Limit: 2 total for all seasons combined (max 1 per weapon season)
- Bonus Opportunity: Third antlered deer available in Region B with special stamp
Antlerless White-tailed Deer by Region Region A (Western Maryland)
- Archery: Sept. 5–Jan. 31 (various segments)
- Muzzleloader: Oct. 16–Oct. 18, Dec. 27–Jan. 3
- Firearms: Dec. 6–Dec. 13
- Bag Limit: Up to 2 total for all seasons
Region B (Eastern Maryland)
- Archery: Sept. 5–Jan. 31 (various segments)
- Muzzleloader: Oct. 16–Oct. 25, Dec. 20–Jan. 3
- Firearms: Nov. 29–Dec. 13, Jan. 9–Jan. 11
- Bag Limit: Up to 15 (unlimited in suburban zones)
Sika Deer – The Unique Challenge
Maryland’s sika deer population represents a special opportunity for hunters seeking something different.
- All Seasons: Same dates as white-tailed deer
- Bag Limit: 3 deer, no more than 1 antlered
- Special Requirement: Annual Sika Deer Stamp required 🎟️
- Zones: Primarily Eastern Shore counties
🐻 Black Bear – The Ultimate Trophy
Western Maryland’s black bear population offers an exclusive opportunity through a lottery system.
- Season: October 2025 (specific dates TBD)
- Counties: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Washington only
- Bag Limit: 1 per hunter/team for entire season
- Permit Required: Must enter lottery July 15–Aug. 31
- Application Fee: $15 (non-refundable)
- Lottery Drawing: September 3, 2025
🦃 Turkey Season: Spring, Fall, Youth
Spring Turkey Season 2026
- Dates: April 18–May 23, 2026
- Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey per day, 2 per season
- Hours:
- April 18–May 9: ½ hour before sunrise to noon
- May 10–May 23: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
- Methods: Shotgun (#4 shot or smaller), bow, crossbow, air gun
Fall Turkey Season 2025
- Dates: Nov. 1–Nov. 9, 2025
- Counties: Allegany, Garrett, Washington only
- Bag Limit: 1 turkey of either sex (combined with winter season)
- Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
Youth Turkey Days
- Junior Hunt: April 11–12, 2026
- Age Requirement: 16 years or younger
- Supervision: Must be accompanied by armed adult 21+
- Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey per day
Winter Turkey Season 2026
- Dates: Jan. 22–24, 2026
- Area: Statewide
- Bag Limit: 1 turkey (combined with fall season)
🦝 Furbearers
Maryland’s furbearer seasons provide excellent opportunities for both hunters and trappers throughout the cooler months.
Fox (Red and Gray)
- Charles/Dorchester Counties: Aug. 1–July 31 (year-round)
- Eastern Shore Counties: Nov. 15–Feb. 28
- Western Counties: Nov. 1–Feb. 15
- Bag Limit: No limit
Raccoon and Opossum
- Season: Oct. 15–March 15
- Methods: Firearms, archery, air gun, dogs
- Time: Day and night permitted
- Bag Limit: No limit
Coyote
- Season: Year-round, all counties
- Time: Day and night
- Methods: Firearms, archery, air gun
- Bag Limit: No limit
Beaver (Trapping Only)
- Most Counties: Dec. 15–March 15
- Allegany/Garrett: Dec. 1–March 15
- Bag Limit: No limit
🐦 Upland Birds
Ruffed Grouse
- Season: Oct. 4–Dec. 31
- Counties: Statewide
- Bag Limit: 2 per day, 4 possession
Pheasant
- Season: Nov. 1–Feb. 28
- Counties: Statewide
- Bag Limit: 2 per day (either sex), 4 possession
Quail
- Season: Nov. 1–Jan. 15
- Restrictions: Closed in Allegany/Garrett counties and on DNR lands east of Susquehanna River
- Bag Limit: 6 per day, 12 possession
🐿️ Upland Animals
Squirrel (Gray, Red, Eastern Fox)
- Season: Sept. 6–Feb. 28
- Counties: Statewide
- Bag Limit: 6 per day, 12 possession
- Note: Delmarva Fox Squirrel remains protected (closed season)
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
- Season: Nov. 1–Feb. 28
- Counties: Statewide
- Bag Limit: 4 per day, 8 possession
Crow
- Season: Aug. 15–March 15
- Schedule: Wednesday–Saturday only
- Bag Limit: No limit
🕊️ Other Small Games
| Species | Season | Bag Limit | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | Sept. 1–Jan. 9 | 15 per day | 45 |
| Woodcock | Oct. 25–Nov. 28, Jan. 12–28 | 3 per day | 9 |
| Rails (Clapper/King) | Sept. 1–Nov. 20 | 10 per day (max 1 king) | 30 |
| Rails (Sora/Virginia) | Sept. 1–Nov. 20 | 25 per day | 75 |
| Common Snipe | Sept. 27–Jan. 29 | 8 per day | 24 |
🦆 Migratory Birds
Special September Teal Season
- Dates: Sept. 18–27, 2025
- Bag Limit: 6 teal per day, 18 possession
- Species: Blue-winged and green-winged teal
- Counties: Eastern Shore and select areas
🦆 Ducks, Scaup, Mergansers, Geese
Duck Seasons by Zone
Eastern Zone
- Regular Season: Oct. 11–18, Nov. 15–28, Dec. 16–Jan. 31
- Black Duck Season: Nov. 15–28, Dec. 16–Jan. 31
- Bag Limit: 6 ducks daily (species restrictions apply)
- Black Duck: 2 per day during designated season
Western Zone
- Regular Season: Oct. 4–18, Nov. 22–28, Dec. 16–Jan. 31
- Black Duck Season: Nov. 22–28, Dec. 16–Jan. 31
- Same bag limits as Eastern Zone
Canada Goose Seasons
Early Resident Season
- Eastern Zone: Sept. 1–15, 2025
- Western Zone: Sept. 1–25, 2025
- Bag Limit: 8 per day, 24 possession
Atlantic Population Season
- Dates: Dec. 19–Jan. 3, Jan. 14–31
- Bag Limit: 1 per day, 3 possession
🦢 Other Waterfowls
Brant
- Season: Dec. 29–Jan. 31
- Bag Limit: 1 per day, 3 possession
Light Geese (Snow/Ross’s)
- Regular Season: Oct. 1–Nov. 28, Dec. 15–Jan. 31, Feb. 7
- Bag Limit: 25 per day, no possession limit
- Conservation Order: Extended season with no limits
Youth/Veteran/Military Waterfowl Days
- Dates: Nov. 1, 2025 and Feb. 7, 2026
- Eligibility: Hunters 16 and under, veterans, active military
- Bag Limits: Same as regular seasons
🎯 More Games
Coots
- Season: Concurrent with duck seasons
- Bag Limit: 15 per day (in addition to duck limit)
Sea Ducks
- Season: During regular duck season
- Bag Limit: 4 sea ducks within 6-duck limit
- Species: Scoters, long-tailed ducks, eiders
Falconry Extended Seasons
Various extended seasons available for licensed falconers, including:
- Mourning Doves: Jan. 10–29
- Ducks: Feb. 2–March 7
- Woodcock: Oct. 1–24, Jan. 31–March 7
- Bag Limit: 3 per day, 9 possession
Sunday Hunting in Maryland 📅
Maryland has expanded Sunday hunting opportunities in recent years, but regulations vary significantly by county. For the 2025 season, Sunday deer hunting is permitted in many counties on specific dates, with some counties restricting hunting to private lands only while others allow hunting on both private lands and designated public areas.
Some counties restrict Sunday hunting hours to a period from one-half hour before sunrise until 10:30 AM. Be sure to check the specific regulations for your hunting location as these rules change frequently and vary by county.
License and Tag Information 🎟️
All hunters in Maryland must possess the appropriate licenses and permits:
Resident Licenses
- Regular Hunting License: Required for most hunting activities
- Archery Stamp: Required for bow hunting
- Muzzleloader Stamp: Required for black powder hunting
- Migratory Bird Stamp: Required for waterfowl hunting (in addition to Federal Duck Stamp)
- Furbearer Permit: Required for trapping
Non-Resident Options
- Full Season License: Valid for all regular hunting seasons
- Short-Term License: 3-day options available for visitors
- Additional Stamps: Same requirements as residents
Special Permits
- Black Bear Hunting Permit: Obtained through lottery application
- Managed Hunt Permits: Required for certain public land hunts
- Public Land Access Permits: May be required on certain properties
Hunting Zones and Public Land Access 🗺️
Maryland divides the state into specific management regions for certain species:
- Deer Management Region A: Includes Allegany County, Garrett County, and western Washington County
- Deer Management Region B: Includes the remainder of the state
- Bear Hunt Zone: Limited to Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties
- Waterfowl Zones: Various zones for different species, including Eastern/Western Duck zones and goose management areas
Maryland offers public hunting opportunities on various Wildlife Management Areas, State Forests, and other public lands. Some areas require special permits or have specific regulations, so check with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources before planning your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
Q: When does deer season open in Maryland?
A: Archery season opens first on September 6, 2024, followed by muzzleloader season on October 17, 2024, and firearms season on November 30, 2024.
Q: Can I hunt on Sundays in Maryland?
A: Sunday hunting is allowed in many counties but regulations vary widely. Some counties allow Sunday hunting on private lands only, while others permit it on both private and designated public lands. Check the specific regulations for your hunting location.
Q: Do I need a special permit for bear hunting?
A: Yes, bear hunting requires a special permit obtained through a lottery application system. The hunt is limited to Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties.
Q: Where can I find information about public hunting areas?
A: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website provides detailed information about public hunting lands, including Wildlife Management Areas, State Forests, and other public lands.
Q: Are there any special youth hunting opportunities?
A: Yes, Maryland offers Junior Deer Hunt Days (November 16-17, 2024) and Junior Turkey Hunt Days (April 12-13, 2025) specifically for young hunters.
Final Thoughts for Maryland Hunters
Maryland offers diverse sporting opportunities across its varied landscapes. From pursuing deer in the Appalachian highlands to hunting waterfowl along the famed Chesapeake Bay, the state provides excellent adventures for sportsmen and women of all experience levels.
Always remember to check the latest regulations before heading afield, as wildlife management policies can change based on population assessments and conservation needs. Be sure to obtain the proper licenses and tags, and familiarize yourself with boundary lines and zone restrictions for your target species.
For the most current information and any regulation updates, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website or contact your local DNR office. Good luck and safe hunting!
