2015 Maryland Fall Turkey Season Totals

Hunters reported taking 116 wild turkeys during Maryland's three-county fall turkey season. The one week season ended on Nov. 7. The harvest was 13 percent lower than 2014, when hunters harvested 134 birds.

Harvests by county:

Allegany County 36
Garrett 49
Washington 31


source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

2015 Maryland Teal Season

green winged teal

Maryland's September teal hunting season will open on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 and continue through Wednesday, September 30, 2015.

September Teal Season Highlights:

Shooting hours are one half-hour before sunrise to sunset
   
The daily bag limit is six teal (blue or green-winged)

The possession limit for teal is three times the daily bag limit

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey recorded about 8.5 million blue-winged teal and 4.1 million green-winged teal in 2015.

For more information about Maryland hunting seasons and regulations, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website.

Maryland Hunting Coalition Rally in Annapolis

High winds and freezing temperatures did not deter Maryland’s hunting community from attending a Hunter’s Rally at the State House on February 5, 2015. The event, which was organized by the Maryland Hunting Coalition, brought together hunters from across the State to meet lawmakers as they traveled to and from the State House.

“We were not there to lobby for a particular issue or to make speeches. We were there simply to meet lawmakers and ask they support our traditional privileges to hunt, trap and lawfully use our firearms” stated Allan Ellis, Executive Director of the Maryland Hunting Coalition.

During the rally, an estimated 75 plus lawmakers expressed their support for hunting in Maryland.

source: Maryland Hunting Coalition

2013-14 Maryland Deer Harvest

Maryland hunters harvested 95,863 deer during the archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons combined (September 6, 2013 through January 31, 2014).

The 2013-2014 statewide harvest includes:

30,998 antlered and 62,164 antlerless white-tailed deer
1,116 antlered and 1,585 antlerless sika deer

Region A (Garrett, Allegany and western Washington counties) hunters reported 9,176 deer (5,186 antlered and 3,990 antlerless).

Frederick County led the harvest totals this year with 8,040 deer, followed by Washington County with 6,376 and Baltimore County at 6,336. Carroll and Montgomery counties rounded out the top five with 5,915 and 5,889 deer, respectively.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

2013 Maryland Deer Harvest Totals

Hunters reported taking 36,942 deer during the statewide, two-week firearm deer season, which ended on December 14. This harvest represents a 2 percent increase compared to the 36,127 deer taken during the 2012 firearm season.

Overall hunters reported seeing more deer than last year in many parts of the state, but challenging weather slowed the harvest slightly.

The two-week firearm harvest included 12,254 antlered and 23,706 antlerless white-tailed deer and 394 antlered and 588 antlerless sika deer.

source: Maryland DNR

2013 Maryland Deer Season

Maryland's firearm deer season opens Saturday, November 30 and runs through December 14, 2013. During the two week season, hunters who possess a valid hunting license or are exempt from the Maryland hunting license requirements may use firearms to hunt white-tailed and sika deer.

Maryland deer hunting regulations can be found on the DNR website. The 2013-14 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping also contains detailed information about all of Maryland’s hunting seasons.

Deer hunters are encouraged to donate any extra deer they may harvest to the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry program. The deer are processed at participating butchers and processors free of charge and the venison is then given to local food banks.

For more information, contact the Wildlife & Heritage Service at 410-260-8540.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

2013-2014 Maryland Sika Deer Archery Season

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced that the State's sika deer archery season runs from September 6 through January 31 in Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Maryland sika deer bow hunters are allowed to harvest two deer, one of which may be antlered.

2013-2014 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Seasons

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced the the state's 2013-2014 early migratory game bird hunting seasons. Dove season marks the traditional start of hunting activity each year in Maryland.

Dove, split season

First Season: September 2 – October 5

Second Season: November 6 – 29

Third Season: December 21 – January 1


Woodcock, split season

First Season: October 31- November 29

Second Season: January 11 – 25

Early resident Canada goose season

Eastern zone: September 2 – 14

Western zone: September 2 – 25


Teal, September season

September 16 – 30

Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling 1-800-327-BAND (2263) or online at www.reportband.gov.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland Waterfowl Regulations Meeting

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed late season waterfowl hunting regulations at 7 p.m. on August 19 at Chesapeake College.

The proposed seasons and bag limits will be announced in early August after DNR receives the framework from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

source: MD DNR

2013 Maryland Spring Turkey Season

Maryland hunters reported harvesting a total of 3,344 wild turkeys during the 2013 spring turkey season. The 2013 turkey harvest exceeds the previous record harvest of 3,136 set in 2005.

This year’s harvest was 7 percent above the 2012 harvest of 3,132, and well above the 10-year average of 2,925. High turkey populations coupled with good weather likely contributed to the record-setting harvest, according to Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Also, Harford, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Frederick counties have experienced considerable increases in wild turkey populations.

The top five counties for turkey harvests were Garrett County (386), Washington (309), Charles (270), Allegany (269), and Dorchester (245).

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

2013 Maryland Spring Turkey Hunting Season

The 2013 Maryland spring turkey season begins with Junior Turkey Hunts on April 13 on public or private land statewide, and April 14 on private land in Caroline, Dorchester, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.

Maryland's spring turkey season runs from April 18 through May 23 statewide.

Junior Turkey Hunts allow licensed youth ages 16 and under to hunt wild turkeys when accompanied by an unarmed adult, 21 and older, who holds a valid Maryland hunting license, or is exempt from the hunting license requirements. Adults may not possess a bow, crossbow or firearm while accompanying a youth hunter during the junior hunt.

Regulations, turkey check-in procedures, and information on public land hunting opportunities can be found at dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide or in the 2012-2013 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping.

source: MD DNR

Maryland 2012-13 Deer Season

During Maryland's bow, muzzleloader and firearm seasons combined (September 7, 2012 through January 31, 2013), hunters harvested 87,541 deer.

According to MD DNR, biologists attribute the 11 percent decline compared to last year’s total to multiple factors, including reduced hunter participation, an abundant acorn crop, and a lower deer population in some areas.

Maryland's 2012-2013 deer harvest includes:

29,366 antlered white-tailed deer

55,763 antlerless white-tailed deer

1,127 antlered  sika deer

1,285 antlerless sika deer

Frederick County led the harvest totals this year with 7,634 deer, followed by Baltimore County with 5,991 and Washington County at 5,762. Montgomery County and Carroll County completed the top five counties with 5,598 and 5,579 deer, respectively.

source: MD DNR

2012 Maryland Deer Season Results

According to preliminary data from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland hunters reported taking 36,088 deer during the 2012 firearm deer season.

The two-week firearm harvest included:

12,329 antlered and 22,721 antlerless white-tailed deer

451 antlered and 587 antlerless sika deer

The harvest was 13 percent lower than the 2011 firearm season, when 41,421 deer were taken. Bad weather on key hunting days and an abundance of acorns were cited by DNR as being possible factors in the reduced harvest.

In Maryland, some hunters are speculating that deer populations could be impacted by diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD).

Maryland 2012-2013 Canada Goose Hunting Season

Maryland’s migratory Atlantic Population (AP) Canada goose hunting season opens November 17 and continues through November 23, 2012. This season reopens on December 11 and continues through January 30, 2013.

The daily bag limit is two geese per day in the AP Canada goose hunting zone. Additional information on waterfowl hunting seasons, regulations and license requirements can be found online athttp://www.dnr.state.md.us/

source:  MD DNR

Maryland 2012 Hunting and Fishing Day Expo

On September 22nd, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host the State’s 2012 National Hunting and Fishing Day Celebration and Expo. The expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore in Marriottsville.

The show will include more than 30 fishing and hunting clubs, conservation organizations and local businesses. A number of interactive activities will be available, including spin casting, waterfowl calling lessons, dog demonstrations, archery and target shooting with expert instructors. There will also be hunting and fishing displays and demonstrations.

Local sponsors of the event include the National Wild Turkey Federation-Maryland Chapter, National Wildlife Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club International- Chesapeake Chapter, Baltimore County Game and Fish Protective Association, Tudor Farms Inc., Maryland Fur Trappers Inc., and the Maryland Bowhunters Society.

The event will take place at the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore, 11518 Marriottsville Rd., Marriottsville, Md. 21104. Citizens who would like more information, or those who are interested in becoming a vendor, may call 410-260-8537 or visit dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Hunt_Trap/NHFD/index.asp

source: MD DNR

2011-12 Maryland Deer Season Statistics

Maryland deer hunters enjoyed the fourth highest harvest on record during the 2011-2012 hunting season. In Maryland, hunters harvested a total of 98,029 deer during the state's bow, muzzleloader and firearm seasons.

The total is just below last year’s harvest of 98,663 deer. The antlered harvest increased 3 percent, while the antlerless harvest declined by the same percentage. In Maryland, 2,657 sika deer were harvested statewide; a 4 percent decrease from last year’s total for this species.

In Deer Management Region A (Garrett, Allegany, and western Washington counties) hunters reported taking 10,358 deer this year, up 11 percent from 2010-11.
The reported harvest in the remainder of the State, Region B, declined 2 percent to 87,671 deer this year.

Frederick County once again led the harvest totals for the State with 8,378 deer, followed by Baltimore County with 6,804 and Washington County with 6,753 deer.

Sunday deer hunting contributed to deer harvests in Maryland. The Junior Deer Hunt, traditionally held on a Saturday, included the following Sunday in 20 of 23 counties for the first time this year. Sunday hunting accounted for a total of 6,278 deer, 6 percent of the 2011-12 harvest.

source: MD DNR

2011-2012 Maryland Waterfowl Hunting Seasons

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced details of the 2011-2012 late waterfowl hunting seasons.

Waterfowl hunters may take up to six ducks per day during the season’s three segments: October 15-October 22, November 12-November 25, and December 13-January 28.

The Atlantic Population Canada goose hunting season will include a daily bag limit of two geese and will be split into two segments: November 19-November 25; and December 15-January 28.

Greater and lesser snow geese and Ross's geese are collectively referred to as “light geese”. These birds have become so abundant that they are causing harm to wetland habitats throughout their range.

During the Conservation Order season, hunters may use unplugged shotguns, electronic calls and hunt from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset with no daily bag or possession limits.

The Light Goose Conservation Order season will run November 28-December 10 and then again January 30-April 14. Hunters are required to purchase a Snow Goose Conservation Order Hunting Season Permit to participate in this special season.

All waterfowl hunters, including landowners who are license exempt, must possess proof of purchase of the 2011-2012 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp (HIP certification permit included). They are available at dnr.maryland.gov/service/license.asp or by calling 1-800-918-2870.

All waterfowl hunters age 16 and over must also possess the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) while hunting waterfowl.

Federal Duck Stamps are available at most U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, and some DNR sport license agents. Hunters may purchase an electronic Federal Duck Stamp from Maryland DNR sport licensing agents. Hunters may also purchase a stamp by either calling toll-free 1-800-DUCK499, 1-800-STAMP24 or order online at www.duckstamp.com.

The Federal Duck Stamp must be signed across the face by the hunter to be valid, but they do not have to be attached to the hunting license.

More information about the Maryland 2011-2012 late waterfowl hunting season dates and bag limits may be viewed at dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/lwfchart.asp

Maryland Elk Reintroduction Study

The Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation (MLSF), the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) recently announced the formation of a partnership to determine the viability of elk reintroduction to Western Maryland.

The biological, social and economic feasibility assessments will require a minimum of 12 months to complete and will be thoroughly evaluated before any decision is made.

According to MLSF Chairman David Sutherland, "Elk once roamed Maryland but have been absent since the 1700s."

The Sportsmen’s Foundation will contract with a professional consulting group to conduct a formal survey of public opinion on the question of returning elk to the State. DNR will oversee development of the survey, which will include outreach to farmers and other stakeholders that may be impacted by a return of the species

In addition, the agency will conduct an assessment of potential elk habitat in western Maryland.

source: MD DNR

Maryland 2010 Deer Season

Maryland deer hunters endured less than favorable weather conditions for the two-week deer firearm season and harvested an estimated 40,694 deer. The total included 13,605 antlered deer and 27,089 antlerless deer. Included in the totals were 516 antlered and 565 antlerless sika deer.Overall, the harvest was down 9 percent decrease from last year’s harvest.

Region A deer hunters (Garrett, Allegany and western Washington counties) reported 4,422 deer for the two-week season, a decline of 8 percent from last year’s harvest of 4,809 deer. The antlered harvest decreased an estimated 4 percent from 2,620 deer last year to 2,528 deer this year, while the antlerless harvest decreased 14 percent from 2,189 deer to 1,894 deer.

Maryland’s two-week late muzzleloader season opens Saturday, December 18 and closes on January 1, 2011.

source: MD DNR

Maryland Duck Hunting

Scaup Ducks (Bluebills)

Duck hunting continues to be an extremely popular sport in Maryland. Some waterfowl hunters hunt on public lands while others own land or can find a private land to lease for hunting ducks or other wild game.

Other hunting opportunities in Maryland are found by hunting clubs. These groups obtain hunting rights thru leases, land purchases or other means.

Hunting guides are another great asset for Maryland duck hunting enthusiasts. Hunting guides handle access issues, know the layout and are familiar with regulations and local hunting patterns.

Labrador retrievers and Chesapeake Bay retrievers are by far the two most popular hunting dogs used in the state. Each breed has historical significance in regional waterfowl hunting.