Are you excited and ready for the upcoming deer hunting season? Maryland is known for its abundance of White-tailed deer and Sika deer. As the seasons open, hunters prepare their equipment and purchase their licenses. Ensuring you have everything before a hunt is crucial. Let’s look at all the regulations and open dates for deer hunting season in Maryland from 2022 to 2023.
Season Dates
Season dates in Maryland differ per species of deer, whether they are antlered or not, and what region you plan to hunt in. To completely understand season dates and regulations, you must understand what the State of Maryland considers Region A and B. So let’s take a look at these regions.
Region A
Region A is from Allegany County, Garrett County, and the Western part of Washington County (Zone 2, Private Land Code Areas 250 and 251) that lies West of a line starting at the intersection of Rt. 494 and the Pennsylvania line, going South on Rt. 494 to Rt. 57, going South on Rt. 57 to Rt. 40 at St. Paul’s Church, going West on Rt. 40 to the junction of Big Spring Rd. and Rt. 40 in Clear Spring, going South.
Region B
Region B is from 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, the Eastern part of Washington County, Zone 1, Private Land Code Area 252, which lies East of a line starting at the intersection of Rt. 494 and the Pennsylvania line, going South on Rt. 494 to Rt. 57, going South on Rt.
Junior Deer Hunting Days
| Dates | Region / Species of Deer | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|
| November 12th, Statewide Sunday, November 13th, Specific Countries | Region A- White-Tailed Deer | 1 Antlered, 1 Antlerless |
| Region B- White-Tailed Deer | Three deer, only one may be antlered. | |
| Sika Deer (both regions) | Two deer, one antlered and one antlerless. |
Antlered White-Tailed Deer Season
| Season / Weapon | Date | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sept. 9 – Oct.19, Sunday, Oct. 23, Oct. 24 – Nov. 25, Dec. 12 – Dec. 16, Sunday, Jan. 1, Jan. 2 – Jan. 5, Jan. 9 – Jan. 31 Archery Season is also open Jan. 6 – Jan. 8 in Region A. Feb. 1 – Feb. 3 for Primitive Deer Hunt Days; see the following regulations. | Two deer, and no more than 1 in any weapon season |
| Muzzleloader | Oct. 20 – Oct. 22, Dec. 17 – Dec. 31 Feb. 1 – Feb. 3 for Primitive Deer Hunt Days; see the following regulations. | |
| Firearm | Nov. 26 – Dec. 10, Firearm Season is also open from Jan. 6 – Jan. 8 in Region B only. |
Sika Deer Season
| Season / Weapon | Date | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sept. 9 – Oct. 19, Sunday, Oct. 23, Oct. 24 – Nov. 25, Dec. 12 – Dec. 16, Sunday, Jan. 1, Jan. 2 – Jan. 5, Jan. 9 – Jan. 31 Feb. 1 – Feb. 3 for Primitive Deer Hunt Days; see the following regulations. | 3 deer, no more than 1 antlered |
| Muzzleloader | Antlered or Antlerless: Oct. 20 – Oct. 22 and Dec. 17 – Dec. 31Antlerless Only (Region B only): Oct. 24 – Oct. 29 Feb. 1 – Feb. 3 for Primitive Deer Hunt Days; see the following regulations. | 3 deer, no more than 1 antlered |
| Firearm | Nov. 26 – Dec. 10, Jan. 6 – Jan. 8 | 3 deer, no more than 1 antlered |
Licensing
| License / Tag Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Resident Apprentice Hunting License | $10 |
| Nonresident Apprentice Hunting License | $20 |
| Resident Regular Hunting License | $24.50 |
| Resident Junior Hunting License | $10.50 |
| Resident Senior Hunting License | $5 |
| Nonresident Hunting License | $130 |
| Nonresident Junior Hunting License | $32.50 |
| Nonresident Senior Hunting License | $65 |
What Weapons can you Hunt Deer with in Maryland?
Firearms:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Shotguns | 28 gauge and shoot a solid projectile, you may use #1 Buckshot |
| Centerfire rifle | Must exert 1200 pounds of muzzle energy |
| Handguns | 43 caliber and down with a barrel no longer than four and a half inches. |
Bow and Arrow:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrows | Arrow must be 24 inches in length. |
| Broadheads | Broadheads can be fixed with two blades and must be ⅞ inches wide at their widest point. |
| Bow characteristics | LongBow minimum draw weight for hunting deer is 30 lbs and a draw length of 28’. Recurve Bows minimum draw weight is 30 lbs. |
Crossbow:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Crossbow draw weight | Crossbows have a draw tension that exceeds 75 lbs and must be mechanically safe. |
| Arrows/ bolts | The arrow/ bolt must be at least 18 inches, excluding the broad head. |
| Broadheads | Must be ⅞ inches at the widest point. |
Muzzleloading Rifle:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Powder | Black powder or black powder substitute only. At least 60 grains of black powder. |
| Caliber | Single barrel of .40 caliber or greater, with a 6-inch barrel. |
| Legal projectile | Muzzleloaders can be smoothbore or rifled, lead alloy, all-lead, or copper soft-nosed projectiles. |
| Ignition | Matchlock, flintlock ignition system, percussion ignition system with a primer or percussion cap, or a wheel-lock. |
What Types of Deer Are Popular in Maryland?
Hunters target two types of deer in Maryland: White-tailed Deer and Sika Deer. The Sika Deer is easily noticed by how it keeps its white spots as it matures. The coats range from a dark red color to almost black. During winter, their coats tend to get even darker. A mane forms on the males during winter as well.
Sika Males have noticeably upright antlers with a thick wall and extra buttress from the brow line. They can be found in forests and grasslands and are generally active throughout the day, even during human disruption.
White-tailed deer are typically reddish-brown with a white belly and throat. They have long legs and a lean, muscular build, with males (bucks) being larger than females (does). Bucks grow antlers each year, which they shed in the winter.
White-tailed deer are adaptable animals found in various habitats, including forests, swamps, grasslands, and even suburban areas. However, they are most commonly found in forested areas with clearings, which provide them with food and cover.
What else is Popular to Hunt in Maryland?
Maryland has excellent hunting opportunities if you want to target more than deer. Remember that each species will have a license and permit you must purchase before you are legally allowed to hunt for them. Here are some other animals that you can hunt in Maryland:
- Wild Turkey
- Black Bear
- Rabbits
- Squirrels
- Quail
- Ruffed Grouse
- Pheasant
- Crow