Maryland Hunting Seasons 2026-2027 – Dates, Licenses & Game Management Areas
If you’re planning time in the field this year, this guide is built to save you a lot of back-and-forth. We reviewed the latest official Maryland information available online, with special attention to DNR and the state’s current 2026–2027 regulations pages. Below, you’ll find the current game calendar, big game breakdowns, turkey dates, waterfowl details, permit rules, youth opportunities, and public land planning notes in one place.
Whether you live in-state or you’re traveling in, it’s smart to verify the exact county, zone, and method rules before you head out. Maryland can be straightforward in one category and very specific in another.
📅 Quick Reference Points
| Species / Group | 2026–2027 Open Dates | Legal Methods | Youth / Junior Opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery starts Sept. 11, 2026; firearms and muzzleloader split by region and bag class | Archery, muzzleloader, firearms, primitive on special dates | Junior deer hunt: Nov. 14 statewide, Nov. 15 in certain counties |
| Turkey | Fall: Oct. 31–Nov. 8, 2026; Winter: Jan. 21–23, 2027; Spring: Apr. 19–May 24, 2027 | Shotgun, bow, crossbow; fall has broader legal weapon options | Junior turkey days: Apr. 17 and Apr. 18, 2027 in certain counties |
| Black Bear | Oct. 26–31, 2026 | Firearms, muzzleloader, archery, crossbow, legal air guns meeting bear standards | No separate junior-only bear dates listed |
| Sika Deer | Follows posted deer framework in applicable areas | Archery, muzzleloader, firearms | Junior deer days apply |
| Small Game | Squirrel starts Sept. 5, rabbit Nov. 7, quail Nov. 7, pheasant Nov. 7 | Shotgun, rimfire/airgun where lawful, archery in some cases | Youth emphasis mostly tied to deer, turkey, waterfowl, and special managed events |
| Waterfowl / Migratory Birds | Teal opens Sept. 17, 2026; regular duck and goose segments vary by zone | Shotgun and migratory bird-legal methods only | Youth, veteran, and military waterfowl days: Nov. 7, 2026 and Feb. 6, 2027 |
🦌 Big Game Overview
Maryland’s big game picture is mostly about white-tailed deer, sika deer in the right areas, and black bear in the western counties. There is no general elk hunt listed in the official 2026–2027 materials we reviewed.
| Species | Segment | Dates | Legal Methods | Permit / Tag Notes | Zones / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer, Antlered | Archery | Sept. 11–Oct. 21; Oct. 25–Nov. 27; Dec. 14–18; Jan. 3–7; Jan. 8–10 in Region A only; Jan. 11–31 | Bow / crossbow under archery rules | Hunting license + archery stamp; bonus antlered stamp needed for extra qualifying buck in Region B | Regional bag rules matter |
| White-tailed Deer, Antlered | Muzzleloader | Oct. 22–24; Dec. 19–Jan. 2 | Muzzleloader | Hunting license + muzzleloader stamp | Statewide framework, regional bag rules |
| White-tailed Deer, Antlered | Firearms / Modern Gun | Nov. 28–Dec. 12; Jan. 8–10 in Region B only | Firearms allowed under county designations | Standard deer requirements apply | Firearms county rules matter |
| White-tailed Deer, Antlerless Region A | Archery / Muzzleloader / Firearms | Archery Sept. 11–Jan. 31; Muzzleloader Oct. 22–24 and Dec. 26–Jan. 2; Firearms Dec. 5–12 | Method-specific | Region A total antlerless limit is tighter than Region B | Check official deer region map |
| White-tailed Deer, Antlerless Region B | Archery / Muzzleloader / Firearms | Archery Sept. 11–Jan. 31; Muzzleloader Oct. 22–24, Oct. 26–31, Dec. 19–Jan. 2; Firearms Nov. 28–Dec. 12 and Jan. 8–10 | Method-specific | Region B allows much larger antlerless harvest; suburban zone is especially liberal | Region B and suburban rules can differ a lot |
| Sika Deer | Archery / Muzzleloader / Firearms | Archery Sept. 11–Oct. 21, Oct. 25–Nov. 27, Dec. 14–18, Jan. 3–7, Jan. 11–31; Muzzleloader Oct. 22–24 and Dec. 19–Jan. 2, plus Oct. 26–31 for antlerless only in Region B; Firearms Nov. 28–Dec. 12 and Jan. 8–10 | Archery, muzzleloader, firearms | Sika stamp required | Mainly relevant in traditional sika range |
| Black Bear | General Bear Hunt | Oct. 26–31, 2026 | Legal rifles, shotguns with single projectile, handguns, muzzleloaders, bows, crossbows, qualifying air guns | Black bear permit required through lottery; one bear per hunter/team | Open only in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties |
A few big game details that matter
- Junior deer hunt days are Nov. 14, 2026 statewide and Nov. 15 in certain counties.
- Primitive deer hunt days are Feb. 1–3, 2027.
- For black bear, dogs, drones, bait, scent attractants, and electronic calls are prohibited.
- Bear hunters and helpers must wear daylight fluorescent color clothing.
- A harvested bear must be taken to an official checking station within 24 hours.
Elk and Bobcat — No Open Seasons
Worth stating plainly because people ask every year: there is no elk season in Maryland, and bobcats are fully protected with a closed season. The same goes for Delmarva fox squirrels and snowshoe hares.
🦃 Turkey Dates
Turkey regulations are pretty readable once you separate spring, fall, winter, and junior dates. Before the general opener, a special youth weekend precedes the main spring turkey hunt in Maryland, which runs through May across the state’s coastal and piedmont forests.
| Hunt Type | Dates | Area | Bag Limit | Legal Methods | Restrictions / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Turkey Hunt | Apr. 17, 2027 | Statewide | 1 bearded turkey per day | Shotgun, crossbow, vertical bow, arrow/bolt-shooting air gun | Hunters 16 or younger only; must be with an unarmed adult 21+ |
| Junior Turkey Hunt Sunday | Apr. 18, 2027 | Certain counties only | 1 bearded turkey per day | Same as above | Sunday rules vary by county/public land |
| Spring Turkey | Apr. 19–May 24, 2027 | Statewide | 1 bearded turkey per day, 2 for the full spring run | Shotgun, crossbow, vertical bow, arrow/bolt air gun | Only bearded birds; hours shift from noon closure early to sunset later in the run |
| Fall Turkey | Oct. 31–Nov. 8, 2026 | Allegany, Garrett, Washington | Combined fall/winter limit of 1 turkey of either sex | Airguns, bows, crossbows, handguns, shotguns, rifles | Extra caution advised because it overlaps with other active big game dates |
| Winter Turkey | Jan. 21–23, 2027 | Statewide | Combined fall/winter limit of 1 turkey of either sex | Shotgun, crossbow, vertical bow, arrow/bolt air gun | Same combined cap with fall segment |
If you want a simpler walkthrough of permit basics on your own site, a good internal companion page is Maryland hunting license guide.
🦝 Furbearer Opportunities
This category is a mix of year-round opportunity for a few species and tight trapping windows for others. A furbearer permit is required to hunt, chase, or trap furbearers.
| Species | Dates | Method | Limit | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Year-round | Firearms, archery, air gun hunting | No limit | Day and night allowed statewide |
| Coyote Trapping | Oct. 31–Feb. 15 east of Bay/Susquehanna; Nov. 14–Feb. 28 west of Bay/Susquehanna | Trapping | No limit | Zone timing differs |
| Fox | County-based dates; some places Aug. 1–July 31, others Oct. 31–Feb. 15 or Nov. 14–Feb. 28 | Hunting and trapping | No limit | County matters a lot here |
| Raccoon / Opossum Chasing | Aug. 1–Oct. 14 and Mar. 16–July 31 | Chasing only, no kill | — | Statewide |
| Raccoon / Opossum Hunting | Oct. 15–Mar. 15 | Firearms, archery, air gun, dogs | No limit | Statewide |
| Raccoon / Skunk / Opossum Trapping | Nov. 14–Mar. 15 east; Oct. 31–Mar. 15 west | Trapping | No limit | Split zone dates |
| Skunk Hunting | Oct. 31–Mar. 15 | Firearms, archery, air gun | No limit | Statewide |
| Muskrat / Mink | County-based from Nov. 14 or Dec. 15 or Jan. 1 through Mar. 15 | Trapping only | No limit | County grouping applies |
| River Otter | Dec. 1 or Dec. 15–Mar. 15 depending on county | Trapping only | 2 or 10 depending on county | Western counties are more restricted |
| Beaver | Dec. 1 or Dec. 15–Mar. 15 | Trapping only | No limit | Earlier opener in Allegany and Garrett |
| Fisher / Long-tailed Weasel | Oct. 31–Feb. 1 | Trapping | 4 per day / 4 per season | Limited opportunity |
| Bobcat | Closed | — | — | No open take listed |
🐦 Small Game Section
Here’s the practical table most people actually need when planning quick trips.
| Species | Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dove | Sept. 1–Oct. 17, 2026; Oct. 24–Nov. 27, 2026; Dec. 19, 2026–Jan. 9, 2027 | 15 | Migratory bird rules apply |
| Squirrel | Sept. 5, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027 | 6 | Gray, red, and eastern fox squirrel open |
| Rabbit | Nov. 7, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027 | 4 | All counties |
| Quail | Nov. 7, 2026–Jan. 15, 2027 where open | 6 | Closed in Allegany and Garrett; closed on DNR-managed lands east of the Susquehanna |
| Ruffed Grouse | Oct. 3–Dec. 31, 2026 | 2 | All counties |
| Pheasant | Nov. 7, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027 | 2 | Either sex |
| Crow | Aug. 15, 2026–Mar. 15, 2027 | No limit | Wednesday through Saturday only |
| Woodcock | Oct. 24–Nov. 27, 2026; Jan. 11–27, 2027 | 3 | Possession limit 9 |
| Common Snipe | Sept. 26, 2026–Jan. 28, 2027 | 8 | Possession limit 24 |
| Rails | Sept. 1–Nov. 20, 2026 | 10 clapper/king with max 1 king; 25 sora/virginia | Possession limits apply |
Small game Sunday access is not universal. It depends on county and, in some places, whether you’re on private land or named public tracts.
🦆 Complete Waterfowl Seasons
The Chesapeake region is waterfowl country, plain and simple — and the 2026–27 lineup is long. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sets the federal framework, and Maryland’s seasons fit inside it, which is why you see the early teal window in September and the split duck segments through January. Here’s the complete slate:
| Species | 2026–27 Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Special September Teal | Sept. 17–26, 2026 | 6 ducks (incl. 4 teal) |
| Ducks – Eastern Zone | Oct. 10–17; Nov. 14–27; Dec. 15 – Jan. 30, 2027 | 6 ducks – max 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 wood ducks, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 1 scaup (2 after Jan. 8); 4 sea ducks cap |
| Ducks – Western Zone | Oct. 3–17; Nov. 21–27; Dec. 15 – Jan. 30, 2027 | Same 6-duck structure |
| Brant | Dec. 28 – Jan. 30, 2027 | 2 per day |
| Early Resident Canada Goose – Eastern Zone | Sept. 1–15, 2026 | 8 geese |
| Early Resident Canada Goose – Western Zone | Sept. 1–25, 2026 | 8 geese |
| Canada Goose (Atlantic Population) | Nov. 24–27; Dec. 15 – Jan. 30, 2027 | 2 geese |
| Late Southern MD Resident Goose | Nov. 21–23; Nov. 24–27; Dec. 15 – Jan. 30; Feb. 1 – Mar. 10, 2027 | 5; then 2; then 2; then 5 by segment |
| Late Western MD Resident Goose | Nov. 21–27; Dec. 15 – Mar. 10, 2027 | 5 geese |
| Light Geese (snow & Ross’s) | Nov. 7–27; Nov. 30 – Feb. 6; Feb. 8 – Mar. 10, 2027 (Eastern Zone) | 25 per day |
| Mourning Dove | Sept. 1 – Oct. 17; Oct. 24 – Nov. 27; Dec. 19 – Jan. 9, 2027 | 15 per day |
| Woodcock | Oct. 24 – Nov. 27; Jan. 11–27, 2027 | 3 per day |
| Rails (clapper/king, sora/Virginia) | Sept. 1 – Nov. 20, 2026 | 10 (1 king max) / 25 |
| Common Snipe | Sept. 26 – Jan. 28, 2027 | 8 per day |
| Coots | Parallel to duck segments | 15 per day |
| Youth / Veteran / Military Waterfowl Days | Within season framework | 6 ducks; 2 or 5 Canada geese by zone; 25 light geese; 15 coots |
Paperwork comes with the territory: you need a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (the duck stamp, about $25–29 depending on where you buy it) plus the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp ($15), and both stamps must be signed in ink before you board the boat or step into the blind. Hunters working the tidal marshes should also keep the black duck cap and sea duck zone in mind — some of the most productive flats on the Eastern Shore fall under the special sea du
🐗 Other Available Game
This section is useful because it catches the oddball questions people usually ask at the last minute.
| Species / Category | 2026–2027 Status | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Delmarva Fox Squirrel | Closed | No open take listed |
| Snowshoe Hare | Closed | No open take listed |
| Bobcat | Closed | No open harvest listed |
| Swans | Closed | No open swan season listed |
| Gallinules / Moorhens | No open season listed | Not included as open migratory bird opportunity in current materials |
| Sandhill Crane | No open season listed in the official Maryland materials reviewed | Don’t assume availability just because another state offers it |
| Elk | No open season listed | Not part of the current big game calendar |
🗺️ Hunting Zones
Maryland uses several different map systems depending on the species. That’s why one county can be simple for squirrels but very specific for deer or waterfowl.
| Zone Type | What It Covers | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Regions A and B | White-tailed rules and antlerless limits | Bag limits change a lot by region |
| Suburban Deer Zone | Extra antlerless opportunity | Can allow very liberal harvest rules |
| Black Bear Zone | Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Washington | Only place where the bear hunt opens |
| Duck / Goose Zones | Eastern, Western, Atlantic Population, Southern Resident, Western Resident | Dates and limits change by zone |
| Wildlife Management Areas and public lands | WMAs, forests, parks, named public tracts | Access rules, permits, and Sunday access can all differ |
| Official map reference | Maryland DNR public land maps | Best place to start when comparing public land options |
Always separate public land rules from private land permission rules. Maryland’s Sunday access, parking permit needs, and site-specific conditions can change from one tract to the next.
🎟️ Permits, Tags & Licenses
Here’s the clean breakdown of the main fee categories and add-ons.
| License / Add-On | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Hunting License | $35 | $160 | Ages 16–64 |
| Junior Hunting License | $15 | $80 | Under 16 |
| Senior Hunting License | $5 | $65 | Age 65+ |
| Apprentice Hunting License | $15 | $40 | First-time hunters; short online safety course required |
| 3-Day Waterfowl & Small Game | — | $65 | Short-term nonresident option |
| Archery Stamp | $6 | $25 | Required for deer during archery dates |
| Muzzleloader Stamp | $6 | $25 | Required for deer during muzzleloader dates |
| Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp | $10 | $25 | Needed where extra antlered harvest is allowed |
| Sika Deer Stamp | $10 | $200 | Required for sika |
| Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp | $15 | $15 | Required for migratory birds |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $29 | $29 | Required for duck/goose/brant/coot hunters age 16+ |
| Furbearer Permit | $5 individual / $50 group | Same structure | Required to hunt, chase, or trap furbearers |
| Black Bear Permit | Lottery-based | Lottery-based | $15 application through lottery process |
Useful license notes
- Licenses run from the day issued through the next July 31.
- Landowner and farm exemptions do exist, but they do not erase all stamp or record-card requirements.
- A free DNRid and big game harvest record are still needed for deer or turkey if you’re otherwise exempt.
- Service-connected disabled military members may qualify for license exemptions.
- Maryland also offers a Universal Disability Pass for access accommodation.
❓ Maryland Hunting Quick FAQ
1. Are the 2026–2027 duck and goose dates final?
Not fully yet. The latest official posting says those migratory bird dates are still contingent on federal approval, so recheck before opening day.
2. Do junior deer harvests count against the regular deer limit?
No. Deer taken on junior deer days have a separate bag structure from the normal archery, muzzleloader, and firearms limits.
3. Do I need both state and federal waterfowl credentials?
Usually yes. Anyone pursuing migratory birds needs the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp, and duck/goose/brant/coot hunters age 16 or older also need the federal duck stamp.
4. Can I hunt on Sundays?
Sometimes. Sunday rules depend on species, county, and whether you’re on private land or specific named public tracts.
5. Is black bear open statewide?
No. The 2026 bear hunt is limited to Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties, and it requires a lottery permit.
6. Do nonresidents have a short-term option?
Yes. There is a 3-day nonresident waterfowl and small game license.
7. Where should I look for public land access?
Start with the DNR public land map pages, then read the tract-specific rules. Some areas also require the free public hunting permit and dashboard parking permit.
Conclusion
The short version is this: deer opportunities are broad, turkey dates are clear once you separate spring from fall and winter, black bear is tightly controlled through a lottery, furbearer rules need close reading by species and county, and waterfowl hunters should double-check final approval before the opener.
Grab permits early, confirm your stamps, look at the map before you drive, and don’t assume one county works like the next. If you plan ahead, Maryland offers a pretty solid spread of public land access and game choices.
Bookmark this page for the next update cycle and recheck official postings before you go. Before making firm plans, bookmark the Maryland DNR hunting guide and confirm any late updates there.