As 2024 draws near, hunters, both experienced and newbies, are attracted to Maryland’s range of landscapes and rich wildlife. From experts who know their way around to new enthusiasts looking for their first experience, Maryland opens up a wide variety of chances. Over the year, hunters can catch not only big and small game, but also numerous game birds.

In Maryland, you can hunt for whitetail deer in the woods. It’s a thrilling activity. You can also try waterfowl games by the Chesapeake Bay, it’s quite a rush. Maryland has something for every hunter.

Understanding hunter rules and seasonal schedules may be complex. This guide gives a quick snapshot of Maryland’s latest hunting season. It includes important dates, regulations, and helpful tools.

Maryland Hunting Calendar 2024-2025

Big Games

White-tailed Deer

Antlered – Statewide

Archery:
- Sept 6 – Oct 16
- Sundays: Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 10, Nov 17
- Dec 16-20 (Region A only)
- Jan 5-9, Jan 13-31

Muzzleloader:
- Oct 17-19
- Dec 21-Jan 4

Firearm:
- Nov 30-Dec 14
- Jan 10-11 (Region B only)
- Jan 12 (Region A only)

Primitive Hunt:
- Feb 1, 3-4

Antlerless – Region A

(Allegany, Garrett & Washington)

Archery:
- Sept 6 – Oct 16 (2 antlerless)
- Sundays: Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 10, Nov 17, Jan 5-31 (2 antlerless)
- Dec 16-20 (2 antlerless)

Muzzleloader:
- Oct 17-19 (1 antlerless, only 1 deer total for the season in Region A)
- Dec 28-Jan 4 (2 antlerless)

Firearm:
- Dec 7-14 (2 antlerless)

Primitive Hunt:
- Feb 1, 3-4 (1 antlerless, separate bag limit)

Antlerless – Region B

(Anne Arundel , Baltimore , Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery , Prince George’s , Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington (Zone 1), Wicomico & Worcester counties)

Archery:
- Sept 6 – Oct 16,
- Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 10, Nov 17, Dec 16-20, Jan 5-9, Jan 13-31 (15 antlerless per season)

Muzzleloader:
- Oct 17-19 (10 antlerless),
- Oct 21-26 (10 antlerless),
- Dec 21-Jan 4 (10 antlerless)

Firearm:
- Nov 30-Dec 14 (10 antlerless),
- Jan 10-12 (Sundays, 10 antlerless)

Primitive Hunt: Feb 1, 3-4

Junior Deer Hunt

Region A: Sunday, November 16 (1 deer)
Region B: Sunday, November 17 (3 deer, max 1 antlered)

Sika Deer

Archery:
- Sept 6 – Oct 16
- Sundays: Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 10, Nov 17, Dec 16-20, Jan 5-9, Jan 13-31

Muzzleloader:
- Oct 17-19
- Oct 21-26 (Region B only – antlerless only)

Firearm:
- Same dates as White-tailed deer firearm season

Primitive Hunt:
- Feb 1, 3-4

Bag Limit

3 deer total, no more than 1 antlered (except Primitive Hunt)

Black Bear

Dates:
- 2024: October 21 – October 26
- 2025: October 20 – October 25
Location: Allegany, Garrett, Frederick, and Washington counties

Permit Required

Daily Bag Limit: 1 bear per day
Possession Limit: 1 bear per season

Turkey

Fall:

2024: Nov 2 – Nov 10
2025: Nov 1 – Nov 9
Location: Allegany, Garrett & Washington counties
Bag Limit: 1 per day (either sex), season total: 1 (either sex)

Winter:

2025: Jan 23 – Jan 25
Location: All counties
Bag Limit: 1 (either sex)

Spring – Junior Hunt:

2025: April 12-13
Location: All counties
Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey

Spring:

2025: April 18 – May 23
Location: All counties
Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey

Small Games

Rabbits

Eastern Cottontail Rabbit:
Nov 2 – Feb 28
Nov 1 – Feb 28
Limit of 4 and a season limit of 8.

Squirrel

Gray, Red (Piney), & Eastern Fox Squirrel

Sep 2 – Feb 28
Sep 1 – Feb 28
Limit of 6 and a season limit of 12.

Delmarva Fox Squirrel

Closed season throughout

Upland Birds

Crow

Aug 15 – Mar 15 (both years)
Location: All counties
No bag or possession limit
Allowed Wednesdays through Saturdays only during this extended season

Pheasant

Nov 2 – Feb 28
Bag of 2 birds (either sex) and a season limit of 4.

Quail

Nov 2 – Jan 15
Daily: 6
Season Limit: 12
Location:
- Private lands east of the Susquehanna River
- All lands west of the Susquehanna River (excluding Garrett & Allegany counties)
- Closed season on lands managed by DNR east of the Susquehanna River and in Garrett & Allegany counties (both years).

Ruffed Grouse

Oct 5 – Dec 31
All counties

Daily: 2
Season Limit: 4

Maryland Falconry Seasons

Rabbit, Quail, Pheasant: Nov 1 – Mar 31 (all species)
- Daily Bag Limit: 4 (rabbit & quail) / 2 (pheasant)
- Season Limit: 8 (rabbit & quail) / 4 (pheasant)
Forest Game: (check regulations for confirmation)
- Ruffed Grouse: Oct 1 – Mar 31 (daily bag: 2, season limit: 4)
- Squirrel (Gray, Fox, Red): Sep 1 – Mar 31 (daily bag: 6, season limit: 12)

Furbearers

Beaver

Dec 15 – Mar 15 (all counties except Garrett & Allegany)
Dec 1 – Mar 15 (Garrett & Allegany counties)

Coyote

West of Chesapeake Bay & Susquehanna River: Nov 1 – Feb 15
East of Chesapeake Bay & Susquehanna River: Nov 15 – Feb 28

Fox (Red & Gray)

Nov 1 – Feb 15 (Allegany, Anne Arundel, etc.)
Nov 15 – Feb 28 (Caroline, Cecil, etc.)
Year-round hunting in Charles & Dorchester counties (Aug 1 – Jul 31)

Fisher

Nov 1 – Feb 1 statewide
Nov 15 – Feb 15

Muskrat & Mink

Dec 15 – Mar 15 (Baltimore, Cecil, etc.)
Jan 1 – Mar 15 (Anne Arundel, Calvert, etc.)

Otter

Dec 15 – Mar 15 (Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington counties)
Dec 1 – Mar 15 (Garrett and Allegany counties)

Raccoon & Opossum

Chasing for fun (no kill): Aug 1 – Oct 14 & Mar 16 – Jul 31 (all counties)
Hunting with firearms, archery, airguns, and dogs: Oct 15 – Mar 15 (all counties, day & night)

Trapping varies by location:

West of Chesapeake Bay & Susquehanna River: Nov 1 – Mar 15
East of Chesapeake Bay & Susquehanna River: Nov 15 – Mar 15

Skunk

Nov 1 – Mar 15

Bag Limits for Furbearers

Species	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Beaver	No Limit	No Limit
Coyote	No Limit	No Limit
Fox (Red & Gray)	Varies by location and season	Check regulations
Fisher	Statewide: 2 (Nov 1 – Feb 1)	2 per season (Nov 1 – Feb 1)
	Specific counties: No Limit (Nov 15 – Feb 15)	No Limit
Muskrat & Mink	No Limit	No Limit
Otter	Varies by location	Check regulations
Raccoon & Opossum	No Limit	No Limit
Skunk	No Limit	No Limit

Migratory Birds And Waterfowls

Canada Geese

Eastern Zone (Special Early Resident): Sep 2-14, 2024
Western Zone (Special Early Resident): Sep 2-25, 2024
Atlantic Population: Dec 20, 2024 – Jan 4 & Jan 14-31, 2025
Resident Population: Nov 23-29, 2024 & Dec 16-Mar 6, 2025

Light Geese

Oct 1- Nov 29, 2024 & Dec 16- Jan 31, 2025 & Feb 8, 2025

Light Goose Conservation Order

Dec. 2 – Dec. 14, 2024, Feb. 1 – Feb. 7, 2025, Feb. 10 – Apr. 15, 2025

Ducks, Coots, Mergansers

Eastern Zone:

Oct 12-19, Nov 16-29 & Dec 16-Jan 31

Western Zone:

Oct 5-19, Nov 23-29 & Dec 16-Jan 31

Black Duck

Same season dates as ducks for each zone.

Youth/Veteran/Military

Special waterfowl hunting days on Nov 2, 2024 & Feb 8, 2025

September Teal

Sep 16-30, 2024

Atlantic Brant

Dec 28, 2024 – Jan 31, 2025

Mourning Dove

Sep 2-Oct 19, Oct 26-Nov 29, Dec 21-Jan 10 (2024-2025)

King & Clapper Rail

Sep 2-Nov 21, 2024

Sora & Virginia Rail

Sep 2-Nov 21, 2024

Common Snipe

Sep 28, 2024 – Jan 30, 2025

Woodcock

Oct 26-Nov 29, 2024 & Jan 13-29, 2025

Waterfowl and Migratory Bag Limits

Species	Bag Limit
Canada Geese (Early Resident – Eastern)	8
Canada Geese (Early Resident – Western)	8
September Teal	6
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers	6
Black Duck (part of duck limit)	Included in 6 duck limit
Youth/Veteran/Military Waterfowl Days	6 ducks, 2/5 Canada geese, 2 brant, 25 light geese, 15 coots
Atlantic Population Canada Geese	2
Resident Population Canada Geese	5
Atlantic Brant	1
Light Geese	25
Light Goose Conservation Order	No Limit
Mourning Dove	15
King and Clapper Rail	10 (max 1 King Rail)
Sora and Virginia Rail	25
Common Snipe	8
Woodcock	3pen_spark

MD Hunting Regulations

General:

It’s important for hunters to carry identification, stay off alcohol, and abide by specific regulations. These include rules around light usage, building proximity, and gun usage.
Set traps and caught wildlife must be dealt with as per prescribed laws.

Private Property:

Getting approval in writing from property owners is a must before hunting on private land.
Any harm that happens when pursuingon someone’s land becomes the hunter’s responsibility.
To defend against trespassing, landowners should put up clear signs marking their property limits.

Sunday Hunting:

Activities such as falconry and fox hunting are permitted on Sundays

State-Owned Lands:

Different regulations apply to target practice, hunting blinds, and tree stands on state-owned grounds.
Trapping and bait on these lands needs permits.

Fluorescent Clothing:

Except in certain cases, hunters need to sport fluorescent attire for safety

Additional Information:

Maryland provides perks like hunting, fishing, and park entry to veterans, those in active service, and disabled folks.
Help is out there to fight fraud and human trafficking.
Public lands place importance on ease of access for individuals who have disabilities.

Hunting License in Maryland

Hunting Licenses	Resident	Nonresident
Full Season	$35	$160
Apprentice (1st time/junior)	$15	$40
Junior (Under 16)	$15	N/A
Senior (65+)	$5	$65
3-Day Waterfowl/Small Game (Non-residents)	N/A	$65
Trapping	N/A	$50
Stamps
Migratory Game Bird	Included	Included
Archery	$6	$25
Muzzleloader	$6	$25
Bonus Antlered	$10	$25
Sika Deer (NEW)	$10	$25
Permits
Free Public	Free	N/A
Individual Furbearer	$5	$5
Snow Goose Conservation Order	$5	N/A
Black Bear Hunt Lottery Application (Non-refundable)	$15	N/A

Obtaining Licenses:

You can usually get licenses online through the COMPASS portal, over the phone, or through retail agents.
But remember, DNR Service Centers are a bit different. They demand appointments, and they’ll only help you with boat registration.

Top Maryland Hunting Locations

Maryland, a wildlife paradise, captivates with its mix of landscapes and abundance of game species. From the widespread Chesapeake Bay to Western Maryland’s dense forests, it provides an array of hunting options. Let’s explore suitable spots for certain species:

Waterfowl:

Eastern Shore: The Eastern Shore, known for its rich waterfowl variety in places like Kent County and Queen Anne’s County, is a haven for hunters. With ducks, geese, and swans aplenty, it provides stellar possibilities. Hunters have a choice. Public or private hunting regions , all catering to waterfowl fans.
Chesapeake Bay: The vast Chesapeake Bay, along with its nearby wetlands, is a favorite stop for migratory water birds. During the season, people can aim for birds such as Canada geese, scaup, canvasback, and widgeon.

Deer:

Savage River State Forest (Western Maryland): Garrett County is home to Savage River State Forest, a favorite spot for white-tailed deers. Mixtures of thick woods and hilly landscapes might make hunting a bit tough, but equally gratifying.
Dorchester County (Eastern Shore): Dorchester County on the Eastern Shore is a hotspot for hunters, thanks to the Sika deer that call it home. An array of public hunting grounds and private hunting leases span across the county.

Turkey:

Swallow Falls State Park (Western Maryland): Garrett County’s Swallow Falls State Park, with its mature hardwood forests and rolling hills, provides excellent habitat for wild turkeys. Hunters can utilize various strategies, including calling and stalking, to bag a spring or fall turkey.
Wicomico County (Eastern Shore): This is perfect for the turkeys. You can hunt in public places, or on private land. It’s challenging, but worth it.

Small Game:

Green Ridge State Forest (Western Maryland): In Allegany and Washington Counties, Green Ridge State Forest is a great spot for small games. You might encounter cottontail rabbits, squirrels, or ruffed grouse amidst the varied landscapes.
Patuxent Research Refuge (Southern Maryland): It’s another fabulous venue for small game seekers with targets like rabbits, squirrels, and foxes. However, don’t forget to verify refuge rules for exact hunting seasons and authorized zones.

Author
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Eric Hale

Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com

Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.