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MarylandDeer & Turkey Season Dates
2026-2027 deer and turkey season dates for Maryland.
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Whitetail Deer
Statewide
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antlered Archery Season | Sep 11, 2026 – Oct 21, 2026 Oct 25, 2026 – Nov 27, 2026 Dec 14, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026 Jan 3, 2027 – Jan 7, 2027 Jan 11, 2027 – Jan 31, 2027 | archery | 2 antlered deer total for all seasons combined; no more than 1 per weapon season; a third antlered deer may be taken only in Region B as a bonus antlered deer |
| Sika Deer Archery Season | Sep 11, 2026 – Oct 21, 2026 Oct 25, 2026 – Nov 27, 2026 Dec 14, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026 Jan 3, 2027 – Jan 7, 2027 Jan 11, 2027 – Jan 31, 2027 | archery | 3 deer, no more than 1 antlered |
| Antlered Muzzleloader Season | Oct 22, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026 Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027 | muzzleloader | 2 antlered deer total for all seasons combined; no more than 1 per weapon season; 2 antlered deer total for all seasons combined; no more than 1 per weapon season; a third antlered deer may be taken only in Region B as a bonus antlered deer |
| Sika Deer Muzzleloader Season - Antlered or Antlerless | Oct 22, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026 Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027 | muzzleloader | 3 deer, no more than 1 antlered |
| Junior Deer Hunt Days | Nov 14, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026 | — | 1 antlered or 1 antlerless deer |
| Sika Deer Firearms Season | Nov 28, 2026 – Dec 12, 2026 Jan 8, 2027 – Jan 10, 2027 | modern_gun | 3 deer, no more than 1 antlered |
| Antlered Firearms Season | Nov 28, 2026 – Dec 12, 2026 | modern_gun | 2 antlered deer total for all seasons combined; no more than 1 per weapon season; a third antlered deer may be taken only in Region B as a bonus antlered deer |
| Primitive Deer Hunt Days | Feb 1, 2027 – Feb 3, 2027 | — | Antlered deer taken with a bow count toward the regular antlered archery bag limit; antlered deer taken with a muzzleloader count toward the regular antlered muzzleloader bag limit. In Region A, antlerless deer taken do not count against the regular Region A antlerless bag limit; in Region B, antlerless deer count toward the regular archery or muzzleloader bag limit. |
Antlered Archery Season: legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Begins Sunday Oct. 25; Sunday hunting dates apply in certain counties only.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Begins Sunday Jan. 3; Sunday hunting dates apply in certain counties only.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Statewide Antler Point Restriction: one antlered deer per year may not meet the 3-point requirement; any additional antlered deer must have at least 3 points on one antler. Junior hunters exempt.
Sika Deer Archery Season: Annual Sika Deer Stamp required. Sika bag limits are independent of white-tailed deer bag limits.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Begins Sunday Oct. 25; Sunday hunting dates apply in certain counties only. Annual Sika Deer Stamp required.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Annual Sika Deer Stamp required.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Begins Sunday Jan. 3; Sunday hunting dates apply in certain counties only. Annual Sika Deer Stamp required.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset An antlered sika deer is a deer with at least one antler visible above the hairline.
Antlered Muzzleloader Season: Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp may not be used during this segment. Only one deer total (antlered or antlerless) may be taken in Region A during these dates.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Statewide Antler Point Restriction applies. Junior hunters exempt.
Sika Deer Muzzleloader Season - Antlered or Antlerless: Annual Sika Deer Stamp required. Bonus Antlered Deer Stamps may not be used to take sika deer.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset An antlered sika deer is a deer with at least one antler visible above the hairline.
Junior Deer Hunt Days: For hunters age 16 or younger only. Nov. 14 statewide; Sunday Nov. 15 in certain counties only. Separate bag limit; does not count towards regular Archery, Muzzleloader or Firearms bag limits. Junior hunters exempt from antler point restriction.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset
Sika Deer Firearms Season: Annual Sika Deer Stamp required.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Ends Sunday Jan. 10. Annual Sika Deer Stamp required.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset An antlered sika deer is a deer with at least one antler visible above the hairline.
Antlered Firearms Season: legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Statewide Antler Point Restriction applies. Junior hunters exempt.
Primitive Deer Hunt Days: All deer hunters must wear fluorescent color clothing during Primitive Deer Hunt Days.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Statewide Antler Point Restriction applies. Junior hunters exempt. Long bows, recurve bows, or flintlock and sidelock percussion muzzleloading rifles or handguns only; muzzleloading revolvers prohibited; draw-locks and telescopic or other electronic aiming devices prohibited.
Region A
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless Archery Season - Region A | Sep 11, 2026 – Oct 21, 2026 Oct 25, 2026 – Nov 27, 2026 Dec 14, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026 Jan 3, 2027 – Jan 31, 2027 | archery | Up to 2 antlerless deer per weapon season, no more than 2 total for all seasons combined; only 1 antlerless deer per day |
| Antlerless Muzzleloader Season - Region A | Oct 22, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026 Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027 | muzzleloader | Up to 2 antlerless deer per weapon season, no more than 2 total for all seasons combined; only 1 antlerless deer per day |
| Junior Deer Hunt Days | Nov 14, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026 | — | 1 antlered or 1 antlerless deer |
| Antlerless Firearms Season - Region A | Dec 5, 2026 – Dec 12, 2026 | modern_gun | Up to 2 antlerless deer per weapon season, no more than 2 total for all seasons combined; only 1 antlerless deer per day |
| Antlered Archery Season - Region A | Jan 8, 2027 – Jan 10, 2027 | archery | 2 antlered deer total for all seasons combined; no more than 1 per weapon season; a third antlered deer may be taken only in Region B as a bonus antlered deer |
Antlerless Archery Season - Region A: An additional antlerless deer may be taken during Primitive Deer Hunt Days.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Begins Sunday Oct. 25; Sunday hunting dates apply in certain counties only. An additional antlerless deer may be taken during Primitive Deer Hunt Days.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Begins Sunday Jan. 3; Sunday hunting dates apply in certain counties only. An additional antlerless deer may be taken during Primitive Deer Hunt Days.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset
Antlerless Muzzleloader Season - Region A: Only one deer total (antlered or antlerless) may be taken in Region A during these dates.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset An additional antlerless deer may be taken during Primitive Deer Hunt Days.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset
Junior Deer Hunt Days: For hunters age 16 or younger only. Nov. 14 statewide; Sunday Nov. 15 in certain counties only. Separate bag limit; does not count towards regular Archery, Muzzleloader or Firearms bag limits. Junior hunters exempt from antler point restriction.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset
Antlerless Firearms Season - Region A: An additional antlerless deer may be taken during Primitive Deer Hunt Days.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset
Antlered Archery Season - Region A: Region A only. Ends Sunday Jan. 10.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Statewide Antler Point Restriction: one antlered deer per year may not meet the 3-point requirement; any additional antlered deer must have at least 3 points on one antler. Junior hunters exempt.
Region B
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless Archery Season - Region B | Sep 11, 2026 – Oct 21, 2026 Oct 25, 2026 – Nov 27, 2026 Dec 14, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026 Jan 3, 2027 – Jan 7, 2027 Jan 11, 2027 – Jan 31, 2027 | archery | 15 (Unlimited antlerless in the Suburban Deer Management Zone: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties) |
| Antlerless Muzzleloader Season - Region B | Oct 22, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026 Oct 26, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026 Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027 | muzzleloader | 10 |
| Sika Deer Muzzleloader Season - Antlerless Only | Oct 26, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026 | muzzleloader | 3 deer, no more than 1 antlered |
| Junior Deer Hunt Days | Nov 14, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026 | — | 3 deer, no more than 1 may be antlered |
| Antlerless Firearms Season - Region B | Nov 28, 2026 – Dec 12, 2026 Jan 8, 2027 – Jan 10, 2027 | modern_gun | 10 |
| Antlered Firearms Season - Region B | Jan 8, 2027 – Jan 10, 2027 | modern_gun | 2 antlered deer total for all seasons combined; no more than 1 per weapon season; a third antlered deer may be taken only in Region B as a bonus antlered deer |
Antlerless Archery Season - Region B: legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Begins Sunday Oct. 25; Sunday hunting dates apply in certain counties only.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Begins Sunday Jan. 3; Sunday hunting dates apply in certain counties only.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset
Antlerless Muzzleloader Season - Region B: legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset
Sika Deer Muzzleloader Season - Antlerless Only: Antlerless only. Region B only. Annual Sika Deer Stamp required.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset
Junior Deer Hunt Days: For hunters age 16 or younger only. Nov. 14 statewide; Sunday Nov. 15 in certain counties only. Separate bag limit; does not count towards regular Archery, Muzzleloader or Firearms bag limits. Junior hunters exempt from antler point restriction.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset
Antlerless Firearms Season - Region B: legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Ends Sunday Jan. 10.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset
Antlered Firearms Season - Region B: Region B only. Ends Sunday Jan. 10.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Statewide Antler Point Restriction applies. Junior hunters exempt.
Whitetail Deer source: eregulations.com
Turkey
Statewide
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Turkey Season | Jan 21, 2027 – Jan 23, 2027 | — | Combined bag limit with 2026 Fall Season is 1 turkey of either sex |
| Junior Turkey Hunt Days | Apr 17, 2027 – Apr 18, 2027 | — | 1 bearded turkey per day |
| Spring Turkey Season - Early Period | Apr 19, 2027 – May 10, 2027 | — | 1 bearded turkey per day, 2 bearded turkeys per season |
| Spring Turkey Season - Late Period | May 11, 2027 – May 24, 2027 | — | 1 bearded turkey per day, 2 bearded turkeys per season |
Winter Turkey Season: legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Shotguns (#4 shot or smaller), crossbows, vertical bows, or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts only. No baiting.
Junior Turkey Hunt Days: For hunters age 16 or younger only. Must be accompanied by an unarmed adult 21+ with valid hunting license. Only bearded turkeys may be harvested. Counts toward Spring Season bag limit. Sunday, April 18 hunting varies in certain counties per Sunday hunting chart. Shotguns (#4 shot or smaller), crossbows, vertical bows, or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts only. No baiting. No dogs or organized drives.
Spring Turkey Season - Early Period: Only bearded turkeys may be harvested. Includes Sundays in certain counties, see Sunday hunting chart for Sunday hours within those counties. Shotguns (#4 shot or smaller), crossbows, vertical bows, or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts only. No baiting. No dogs or organized drives.
Spring Turkey Season - Late Period: Only bearded turkeys may be harvested. Includes Sundays in certain counties, see Sunday hunting chart for Sunday hours within those counties. Shotguns (#4 shot or smaller), crossbows, vertical bows, or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts only. No baiting. No dogs or organized drives.
Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Turkey Season | Oct 31, 2026 – Nov 8, 2026 | — | Combined bag limit with 2027 Winter Season is 1 turkey of either sex |
Fall Turkey Season: Includes Sundays in hunt area counties, see Sunday hunting chart. Hunters encouraged to wear daylight fluorescent clothing. Bait exemption: legal 150+ yards from bait legally placed for other species during fall season only.; legal hours start: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset Airguns (arrows, bolts or bullets), crossbows, handguns, shotguns (#4 shot or smaller or solid single projectile), rifles or vertical bows only. No baiting (except 150+ yard exemption for other species bait).
Turkey source: eregulations.com
Season dates and regulations can change. Always verify current dates with the Maryland state wildlife agency before you hunt.
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