Maryland Duck Season 2026-2027: Dates, Zones, Limits & Rules
Maryland’s duck season runs in segments spread across fall and winter, from early October through the end of January, with the final stretch closing on January 30, 2027. The state is divided into two duck hunting zones — Eastern and Western — each with its own opening dates, and both zones use a split season structure with three segments apiece. Before you go afield, you’ll need a valid hunting license, a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp, free HIP certification, and — if you’re 16 or older — a Federal Duck Stamp.
One caution up front: migratory bird regulations are set annually within federal frameworks and can change from year to year. Always confirm the current rules with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before your first hunt of the season. The good news for 2026-2027: the Maryland DNR has confirmed that this year’s migratory game bird seasons have been finalized and published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, so the dates below are official, not proposed Maryland DNR.
Maryland Duck Season 2026-2027 at a Glance
| Information | 2026-2027 Details |
|---|---|
| Regular Duck Season | Split season; Eastern Zone: Oct. 10–17, Nov. 14–27, Dec. 15–Jan. 30. Western Zone: Oct. 3–17, Nov. 21–27, Dec. 15–Jan. 30 |
| Hunting Zones | Two zones: Eastern Duck Season Zone and Western Duck Season Zone |
| Daily Bag Limit | 6 ducks, with species sub-limits |
| Possession Limit | Three times the daily bag limit (18) |
| Shooting Hours | One-half hour before sunrise to sunset |
| Youth Waterfowl Days | Nov. 7, 2026 and Feb. 6, 2027 (statewide) |
| Veteran/Military Days | Same statewide days: Nov. 7, 2026 and Feb. 6, 2027 |
| Early Teal Season | Sept. 17–26, 2026; 6 teal daily |
| Required License | Maryland hunting license (resident or nonresident) |
| Maryland Waterfowl Stamp | Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp — $15, required for all migratory bird hunters |
| Federal Duck Stamp | Required for waterfowl hunters 16 and older ($25 traditional / $29 E-Stamp) |
| HIP Registration | Required; free, issued with the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp |
Maryland Duck Season Dates for 2026-2027
Maryland uses a split, three-segment duck season in both zones. Opening day differs by zone, so know which zone you’re standing in before opening morning.
| Duck Hunting Zone | Segment 1 | Segment 2 | Segment 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Zone | Oct. 10–17, 2026 | Nov. 14–27, 2026 | Dec. 15, 2026 – Jan. 30, 2027 |
| Western Zone | Oct. 3–17, 2026 | Nov. 21–27, 2026 | Dec. 15, 2026 – Jan. 30, 2027 |
Key dates to mark on your calendar:
- Eastern Zone opening day: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
- Western Zone opening day: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
- Both zones close: Saturday, Jan. 30, 2027
- Black duck season (when the 2-black-duck sub-limit may be filled): Eastern Zone — Nov. 14–27 and Dec. 15–Jan. 30; Western Zone — Nov. 21–27 and Dec. 15–Jan. 30. Black ducks may only be taken during these designated Black Duck Season segments eRegulations Maryland.
Note that the former Special Sea Duck Season is no longer part of the federal framework. Maryland retained its Sea Duck Zone, but sea ducks (scoters, long-tailed ducks, eiders) now count within the regular 6-duck daily bag limit anywhere in the state during the regular duck season.
Maryland Duck Hunting Zones
Maryland divides the state into two duck hunting zones with slightly staggered seasons. The dividing line runs down the Baltimore–Washington corridor, which matters if you hunt anywhere near the metro area.
Eastern Duck Season Zone includes Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester counties, plus the portions of Baltimore, Howard, Prince George’s, and Montgomery counties east of a line following I-83 south from the Pennsylvania line, down I-695 (Outer Loop) to I-95, then I-495 (Outer Loop) to the Virginia shore of the Potomac River. In plain terms: the entire Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland, plus the Baltimore–Annapolis–DC corridor east of the beltways.
Western Duck Season Zone includes Allegany, Carroll, Garrett, Frederick, and Washington counties, plus the portions of Baltimore, Howard, Prince George’s, and Montgomery counties west of that same line — essentially the mountain west and the far western Baltimore and DC suburbs.
Because the line splits populated counties, two hunters ten miles apart can legally have different opening days. The DNR publishes an official Maryland Waterfowl Hunting Zones Map as an interactive ArcGIS viewer — zoom to your specific hunting property and confirm your zone before opening day.
Maryland Duck Season Bag Limits
The statewide daily bag limit is 6 ducks, but the species sub-limits are where hunters get into trouble. Here is the full 2026-2027 breakdown:
| Duck Species | Daily Limit | Important Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard | 4 (within 6-duck total) | No more than 2 hen mallards |
| Hen Mallard | 2 | Counted within the 4-mallard limit |
| Wood Duck | 3 | — |
| Northern Pintail | 3 | — |
| Canvasback | 2 | — |
| Redhead | 2 | — |
| Scaup | 1 | 2 per day from Jan. 8 – Jan. 30, 2027 |
| Black Duck | 2 | Only during designated Black Duck Season segments (see Section 3) |
| Fulvous Tree Duck | 1 | — |
| Mottled Duck | 1 | — |
| Sea Ducks | 4 (within 6-duck total) | No more than 3 scoters, 3 long-tailed ducks, or 3 eiders; only 1 hen eider |
| Other Ducks | Up to the 6-duck total | Harlequin duck excluded |
Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit — 18 ducks — once birds are transported home, processed, or otherwise in your possession beyond the field.
What License Do You Need to Hunt Ducks in Maryland?
Duck hunting legally in Maryland requires stacking a few credentials on top of each other. Here’s each piece.
Maryland Hunting License
Anyone hunting ducks in Maryland who is 16 or older needs a valid hunting license. Residents pay for an annual license good from the date of purchase through July 31. Nonresidents need the nonresident annual license unless they purchase a short-term option. Resident hunters who complete a hunter education course may qualify for a one-time free annual license, and licensed hunters under 16 purchase a reduced-fee Junior Hunting License. Licenses are sold through the MDOUTDOORS portal, by phone, at DNR service centers, and at sporting goods license agents statewide.
Maryland Waterfowl Stamp (Migratory Game Bird Stamp)
The Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp ($15) is required for all migratory game bird hunters — ducks, geese, coots, doves, rails, snipe, and woodcock — including hunters who are otherwise license-exempt and holders of senior hunting licenses. Proceeds fund migratory bird research and habitat work on Maryland’s public lands. You must carry the printed receipt showing proof of purchase while hunting; Maryland no longer requires you to sign and attach a physical stamp to your license Maryland DNR.
Federal Duck Stamp
The Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp is required for all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older, including those not required to hold a state hunting license. You have two options:
- Traditional stamp — $25, bought at U.S. Post Offices, national wildlife refuges, or duckstamp.com. You must carry the physical, signed stamp while hunting.
- E-Stamp — $29, available instantly through MDOUTDOORS, license agents, or duckstamp.com. You must carry the printed (or mobile wallet) validation while hunting; the paper stamp is mailed later and the electronic validation satisfies the possession requirement.
HIP Registration
The Harvest Information Program (HIP) is a federal data-collection system that helps wildlife agencies estimate migratory bird harvest. Registration is free and is issued automatically when you buy the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp through MDOUTDOORS. Every migratory bird hunter must have HIP certification before hunting, and you must carry your printed validation in the field.
Summary Table
| Requirement | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting License | Required (16+) | Required (16+) | Juniors under 16 buy the reduced-fee Junior License |
| HIP Registration | Required | Required | Free; issued with the MD Migratory Game Bird Stamp |
| Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp | Required | Required | $15; required even for license-exempt hunters |
| Federal Duck Stamp | Required (16+) | Required (16+) | Exempt under age 16; E-Stamp or traditional both valid |
Maryland Duck Hunting License Costs for 2026-2027
Here’s what duck hunting credentials cost this season. Maryland licenses run on a fixed annual cycle expiring July 31.
| License or Permit | Resident Cost | Nonresident Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Hunting License (ages 16–64) | $35.00 | $160.00 |
| Junior Hunting License (under 16) | $15.00 | $80.00 |
| Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Federal Duck Stamp (traditional) | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Federal Duck Stamp (E-Stamp) | $29.00 | $29.00 |
| HIP Registration | Free | Free |
A note on total cost: a resident adult’s full duck-hunting paperwork runs about $75 for the year ($35 + $15 + $25), while a nonresident’s totals roughly $200. Maryland also offers resident senior and other specialized license categories, so if you’re 65 or older, disabled, or a returning veteran, check the DNR license page for reduced options before buying.
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days in Maryland
Maryland sets aside two statewide Youth, Veteran, and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days each season — Nov. 7, 2026, and Feb. 6, 2027. These fall outside the regular duck season segments, giving young hunters first crack at birds without competition from the general crowd.
- Eligibility: Youth hunters age 16 or younger may participate on these special days.
- Supervision: Each youth must be accompanied by an unarmed adult age 21 or older holding a valid hunting license (or being license-exempt). The accompanying adult cannot carry a gun — the day is for the kids.
- Licenses and stamps: Youth hunters must have a license (or qualify for exemption), the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp validation, and HIP certification. Youth under 16 are exempt from the Federal Duck Stamp.
- Bag limits: The daily bag limit is 6 ducks with the same species sub-limits as the regular season — except scaup is 2 per day — plus 15 coots, 25 light geese, 1 brant, and Canada geese (2 in the Atlantic Population Zone, 5 in the Late Southern or Western Resident zones).
- Shooting hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Both zones are open on youth days, and the statewide structure means Chesapeake Bay marshes, Eastern Shore impoundments, and western farm ponds are all in play.
Veteran and Active-Duty Military Waterfowl Hunting Days
Maryland combines its veteran and military opportunity with the youth days: Nov. 7, 2026, and Feb. 6, 2027.
- Who qualifies: Military veterans as defined in federal migratory bird regulations, and active-duty service members (including National Guard and Reservists on active duty).
- Documentation: Carry documentation of military service — typically a veteran designation on a government ID, DD Form 214, or active-duty credentials — along with your licenses.
- Required credentials: A valid hunting license (or exemption), Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp, HIP certification, and Federal Duck Stamp if 16 or older.
- Bag limits: The same generous special-day limits apply — 6 ducks with full species sub-limits (2 scaup daily), plus coots, light geese, brant, and Canada geese as listed above.
These days are distinct from the regular season: they’re extra opportunities, they’re statewide, and regular-season zone boundaries still determine which species timing you’re effectively adding onto, but the duck bag framework is identical to the youth day structure.
Early Teal Season in Maryland
Yes — Maryland offers a Special September Teal Season for 2026:
- Dates: Sept. 17 – Sept. 26, 2026
- Legal species: Blue-winged teal and green-winged teal only
- Daily bag limit: 6 teal
- Possession limit: 18
- Shooting hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset (same as regular duck season)
- Licenses and permits: All regular migratory bird credentials apply — hunting license (or exemption), Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp, HIP, and Federal Duck Stamp if 16 or older.
Keep in mind that early teal regulations differ meaningfully from the regular duck season: only teal count, and species identification is critical because early-migration blue-winged and green-winged teal share marshes with wood ducks and other species you cannot take in September.
Maryland Duck Hunting Shooting Hours
Legal shooting hours for all duck and coot seasons in Maryland are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. This applies to:
- The regular duck season (both zones and all segments)
- The September Teal Season
- Youth, Veteran, and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days
Hunters used to longer seasons in other states should note Maryland does not extend hours after sunset for ducks — that’s reserved for the early resident Canada goose and Light Goose Conservation Order seasons. The DNR publishes an official sunrise/sunset table on its waterfowl hunting page each season, and some public hunting areas, WMAs, and refuges impose their own access hours or gate schedules. Verify the rules for your specific property before setting your alarm.
Where Can You Hunt Ducks in Maryland?
Maryland’s duck hunting access falls into three buckets, and each comes with its own rulebook.
Public Land
Maryland offers substantial public waterfowl opportunity across state wildlife management areas (WMAs), Chesapeake Bay and tidal marsh properties, and national wildlife refuges, most famously Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on the Eastern Shore. The DNR maintains a consolidated Waterfowl Hunting Areas listing that maps public hunting lands statewide. Key points:
- Each area sets its own rules on access, shooting hours, blind use, and boat or walk-in access — read the property-specific regulations before hunting.
- Tidal waters and offshore blinds carry additional Maryland rules on blind licensing and riparian landowner rights, so offshore hunters should review the DNR’s offshore waterfowl hunting guide.
- Refuges like Blackwater may require permits, hunt within designated compartments only, or restrict certain days.
Private Land
Most of Maryland’s duck hunting — particularly field shoots over mallards and Canada geese — happens on private land. Written permission is strongly recommended and posted property requires explicit permission under Maryland trespass law. Leases and day-fee operations are common on the Eastern Shore, and many landowners post through hunting access programs.
Public Hunting Draws, Reservations, and Blind Sites
Maryland runs a waterfowl blind site licensing process each season — the DNR opens an online lottery and virtual appointment system for licensed blind sites on tidal waters and other designated areas, typically beginning in late summer for the following season. Several managed goose and duck properties also use daily reservations or first-come, first-squared quota hunts. Check the DNR hunting news feed and the waterfowl hunting page for current blind lottery dates and application windows, which are announced annually rather than fixed.
Important Maryland Duck Hunting Regulations
These are the rules most likely to cost you a citation or a bird if you don’t know them:
- Non-toxic shot only. It is illegal to take or hunt for ducks, geese, brant, coots, rails, and snipe with lead shot or while possessing lead shot — this applies to muzzleloaders and even captive-raised mallards on Regulated Shooting Areas.
- Shot size cap. Nontoxic shot larger than No. T (.20 inches in diameter) is prohibited for ducks and other migratory game birds.
- No slugs or sabots. You may not use or possess shotgun pumpkin balls, sabots, or slugs while hunting migratory game birds.
- Shotgun capacity. Only 10-gauge or smaller shotguns are legal, and guns capable of holding more than three shells must be plugged with a one-piece filler that cannot be removed — three shells total in magazine and chamber combined.
- No electronic calls for ducks and geese during regular seasons (electronic calls are permitted only during the Light Goose Conservation Order).
- No baiting. Hunting over bait — including salt, grain, or other attractants that lure birds to an area — violates federal law.
- Wanton waste. You must make a reasonable effort to retrieve all killed or wounded birds, and wounded birds must be killed immediately and counted in your bag.
- Species identification. Sub-limits on hen mallards, black ducks, canvasbacks, and scaup make it your responsibility to identify birds in the field before pulling the trigger.
- Carry your paperwork. Photo ID, your Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp validation, and HIP certification must be in your possession while hunting.
Best Ducks to Hunt in Maryland
Maryland sits on the Atlantic Flyway with the Chesapeake Bay at its heart, and the species mix reflects it.
- Mallard — The bread-and-bird of field hunts on the Eastern Shore and in flooded corn and dairy country. Peak numbers build through December and January as cold weather pushes birds south.
- Black Duck — Maryland’s signature species; the Chesapeake region is the epicenter of American black duck wintering range. Best hunting is in tidal marshes and bay shallows from November through January, and they’re only legal during the designated Black Duck Season segments.
- Wood Duck — Abundant in wooded bottomlands, beaver ponds, and creek bottoms statewide, with the strongest action in the October segments before many birds migrate farther south.
- Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal — Blue-wings dominate the September teal season; green-wings filter in late fall and are a staple of January marsh hunts.
- Canvasback — The Chesapeake’s famous “bluebill of the bay” — historically tied to Brackish shallows and wild celery beds in the mid-Bay region. Numbers are closely managed, so the 2-bird sub-limit matters.
- Scaup — Rafting scaup show up on open bay and river waters in December and January, with the liberal 2-bird limit arriving Jan. 8.
- Redhead — A Chesapeake winter visitor in smaller numbers, often mixed with canvasback rafts.
- Northern Pintail — Early migrants favor tidal shallows and managed moist-soil impoundments; the 3-bird limit reflects generally good flyway numbers.
- Gadwall and American Wigeon — Reliable in brackish impoundments and marsh ponds, particularly on the Eastern Shore’s managed wetlands.
- Sea Ducks — Scoters, long-tailed ducks, and eiders along the coastal bays and Atlantic waters of Worcester County — a uniquely coastal opportunity now folded into the regular 6-duck limit.
Tips for Hunting During the Maryland Duck Season
- Scout the tides, not just the birds. Chesapeake and coastal waterfowling swings with tide charts; a mudflat that holds 500 birds on a falling tide can be empty six hours later. Time your sits to tidal stage, not just dawn.
- The first October segment is a wood duck game. Early-season birds are local woodies and early mallards on small water. Pack light, hide tight in timber or beaver swamp edges, and be off the water by mid-morning.
- Watch the weather west of you. December and January cold fronts in the Great Lakes and Pennsylvania push new birds into the Chesapeake. Following flyway weather reports tells you when to reset your spread.
- Match your spread to the water. A dozen Mallard-and-black-duck floaters work tidal creeks; big rafts of scaup and canvasback decoys require long-line rigs and big water boats. Don’t fish for ducks with a trout spread.
- Confirm your zone — and the black duck calendar. Since black ducks are only legal during designated segments, being sure of species ID and dates protects both your limit and the resource.
- Manage water levels on managed marshes. If you hunt WMAs with water-control structures, check recent water-level reports or call the regional office — drawdowns and fall rains change access dramatically from one weekend to the next.
- Concealment trumps calling on public ground. Pressured Chesapeake birds see every blind; spend more time on brush cover and face masks and less on the call.
- Identify before you shoot. Hen mallard, canvasback, and scaup sub-limits mean a flock of “generic puddle ducks” can fill your limit fast in the wrong places.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland Duck Season
When does duck season start in Maryland for 2026-2027?
The Western Zone opens first, on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. The Eastern Zone opens Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Both zones run a third segment from Dec. 15 through Jan. 30, 2027.
How many ducks can you shoot in Maryland?
You can take 6 ducks per day, subject to sub-limits: no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 pintails, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 2 black ducks (Black Duck Season only), 1 scaup (2 from Jan. 8–30), 1 fulvous tree duck, and 1 mottled duck. The possession limit is 18 (three times the daily limit).
Do you need a special stamp to hunt ducks in Maryland?
Yes — three credentials beyond a license: the $15 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp (required of all migratory bird hunters, even license-exempt ones), the Federal Duck Stamp ($25 traditional or $29 E-Stamp) if you’re 16 or older, and free HIP certification issued with the state stamp.
What are the Maryland duck hunting zones?
Maryland has an Eastern Zone (Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland, and areas east of the Baltimore–DC beltway corridor) and a Western Zone (Allegany, Carroll, Garrett, Frederick, Washington counties and areas west of the corridor). The zones have different opening dates for the first two season segments. Check the official DNR zone map to confirm which applies to your spot.
Is there a youth waterfowl day in Maryland for 2026-2027?
Yes. Nov. 7, 2026, and Feb. 6, 2027 are statewide Youth, Veteran, and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days. Youth hunters age 16 or younger must be accompanied by an unarmed licensed adult 21 or older, and special-day bag limits allow 6 ducks with 2 scaup daily, plus coots, light geese, and geese.
Is there an early teal season in Maryland?
Yes — Sept. 17–26, 2026, blue-winged and green-winged teal only, 6 birds daily with an 18-bird possession limit, during half-hour-before-sunrise-to-sunset shooting hours.
Can you shoot ducks in the afternoon in Maryland?
No. Duck shooting hours run one-half hour before sunrise to sunset only. Maryland does not extend afternoon hours for ducks, unlike its early Canada goose and light goose conservation seasons.
Can nonresidents hunt ducks in Maryland?
Absolutely. Nonresidents 16 and older need the $160 nonresident annual hunting license, plus the same stamps and HIP as residents: $15 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp, $25 (or $29 E-Stamp) Federal Duck Stamp, and free HIP registration — about $200 total for the season.
Before You Hunt: Check the Latest Maryland Regulations
Migratory bird regulations are re-negotiated every year between federal frameworks and state setting — and public land rules, emergency closures, zone tweaks, and bag-limit adjustments can change between the time you read this and your first hunt. Before opening day, confirm everything at the Maryland DNR’s official waterfowl hunting page and the current-year Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping, and check the rules for your specific WMA, refuge, or blind site. If you hunt across state lines, our guide to the Maryland hunting seasons overview covers the state’s other big-game calendars, and the Delaware duck season guide is a useful companion for Delmarva hunters working both sides of the peninsula.