Exploring Maryland’s 2025-2026 Hunting Calendar: What’s New in This Year

As 2025 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 2025-2026

🦌 White-Tailed Deer Hunting

Antlered Deer (Statewide)

• Archery:
  • Sept 5 – Oct 15
  • Oct 19 – Nov 28
  • Dec 15 – Dec 19
  • Jan 4 – Jan 8
  • Jan 12 – Jan 31
• Muzzleloader:
  • Oct 16 – Oct 18
  • Dec 20 – Jan 3
• Firearms:
  • Nov 29 – Dec 13
  • Jan 9 – Jan 11
• Bag Limit: 2 total (max 1 per weapon season)
• Bonus: 3rd deer allowed in Region B with stamp

Antlerless Deer

Region A (Western MD)

• Archery: Sept 5 – Jan 31
• Muzzleloader:
  • Oct 16 – Oct 18
  • Dec 27 – Jan 3
• Firearms: Dec 6 – Dec 13
• Bag Limit: Up to 2

Region B (Eastern MD)

• Archery: Sept 5 – Jan 31
• 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 suburbs)

🦌 Sika Deer

• Seasons: Same as white-tailed deer
• Bag Limit: 3 total (max 1 antlered)
• Requirement: Sika Deer Stamp
• Zones: Eastern Shore counties

🐻 Black Bear

• Season: October 2025 (dates TBD)
• Counties: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Washington
• Bag Limit: 1 per hunter/team
• Permit: Lottery (July 15 – Aug 31)
• Fee: $15 (non-refundable)
• Drawing: Sept 3, 2025

🦃 Turkey Hunting

Spring 2026

• Dates: Apr 18 – May 23
• Bag Limit: 1 daily, 2 per season
• Hours:
  • Apr 18 – May 9: Sunrise to noon
  • May 10 – May 23: Sunrise to sunset

Fall 2025

• Dates: Nov 1 – Nov 9
• Counties: Allegany, Garrett, Washington
• Bag Limit: 1 (combined with winter)

Winter 2026

• Dates: Jan 22 – Jan 24
• Statewide: Yes
• Bag Limit: 1 (combined with fall)

Youth Days 2026

• Dates: Apr 11 – Apr 12
• Age: ≤16
• Supervision: Armed adult 21+ required
• Bag Limit: 1 daily

🦊 Furbearers

Fox

• Charles/Dorchester: Aug 1 – Jul 31
• Eastern Shore: Nov 15 – Feb 28
• Western: Nov 1 – Feb 15

Raccoon & Opossum

• Season: Oct 15 – Mar 15
• Methods: Firearms, archery, air gun, dogs
• Time: Day & night

Coyote

• Season: Year-round
• Methods: Firearms, archery, air gun

Beaver (Trapping Only)

• Most Counties: Dec 15 – Mar 15
• Allegany/Garrett: Dec 1 – Mar 15

🐦 Upland Birds

Ruffed Grouse

• Season: Oct 4 – Dec 31
• Bag Limit: 2 daily, 4 possession

Pheasant

• Season: Nov 1 – Feb 28
• Bag Limit: 2 daily, 4 possession

Quail

• Season: Nov 1 – Jan 15
• Closed: Allegany/Garrett & DNR lands east of Susquehanna
• Bag Limit: 6 daily, 12 possession

🐿️ Small Game

Squirrel

• Season: Sept 6 – Feb 28
• Bag Limit: 6 daily, 12 possession

Rabbit

• Season: Nov 1 – Feb 28
• Bag Limit: 4 daily, 8 possession

Crow

• Season: Aug 15 – Mar 15 (Wed–Sat only)

🕊️ Migratory Birds

Dove

• Season: Sept 1 – Jan 9
• Bag Limit: 15 daily

Woodcock

• Season:
  • Oct 25 – Nov 28
  • Jan 12 – Jan 28
• Bag Limit: 3 daily

Teal (Special Season)

• Dates: Sept 18 – 27
• Bag Limit: 6 daily

Ducks

• Eastern Zone:
  • Oct 11 – 18
  • Nov 15 – 28
  • Dec 16 – Jan 31
• Western Zone:
  • Oct 4 – 18
  • Nov 22 – 28
  • Dec 16 – Jan 31

Canada Goose

• Early Season:
  • Eastern: Sept 1 – 15
  • Western: Sept 1 – 25
• Atlantic Population:
  • Dec 19 – Jan 3
  • Jan 14 – 31

Bag Limits for Furbearers

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

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

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
• Recent Posts

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.

Latest posts by Eric Hale (see all)

• North Dakota’s Hunting Guide: 2025-2026 Season Dates And Regulations - August 18, 2025
• 2025 Hawaii Hunting Dates and Hotspots - August 18, 2025
• Guide to New Hampshire Hunting: 2025-2026 Seasons and Rules - August 13, 2025