Maryland Bear Season 2026
Maryland bear season dates start with Oct 26-31, 2026. The table below keeps every listed bear row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Maryland's listed 2026 bear season runs Oct 26-31, 2026.
General Black Bear opens Oct 26, 2026 and closes Oct 31, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Maryland DNR.
Bear
Black Bear
General
Two bear hunt zones that are permit specific. Bear hunt zone 1: AL, FR, GA, WA. Bear hunt zone 2: FR, WA.
Zone: Bear Hunt Zones 1 and 2 (Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Washington counties). Permit required.
Black Bear
General
2026 bear hunting season open for six days (October 26-31, 2026). Not a quota hunt; hunters not required to check in each evening. Only one black bear may be harvested by a permittee/sub-permittee hunting team. Sub-permittees may hunt regardless of whether permittee is actively hunting. Permittees and sub-permittees not required to maintain visual contact while hunting.
Zone: Zone 1 (Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Washington counties) and Zone 2 (Frederick, Washington counties)
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Nearby bear seasons
Maryland Bear Season FAQ
When does bear season open in Maryland?
October 26, 2026 is the earliest listed bear opener in Maryland — general black bear runs Oct 26-31, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Maryland DNR.
What are the 2026 bear season dates in Maryland?
Maryland lists 2 bear season windows: General Black Bear (Oct 26-31, 2026); General Black Bear (Oct 26-31, 2026). Always verify against Maryland DNR before hunting.
Do I need a license to hunt bear in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and bear hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Maryland DNR.