Maryland Waterfowl Season 2025-26
Maryland waterfowl season dates start with Oct 1, 2025-Feb 7, 2026. The table below keeps every listed waterfowl row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Maryland's listed 2025-26 waterfowl season runs Oct 1, 2025-Feb 7, 2026.
General Light Goose opens Oct 1, 2025 and closes Feb 7, 2026.
Regular Season Ducks opens Oct 4, 2025 and closes Jan 31, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Maryland DNR.
Waterfowl
18 listed rowsBrant
Regular Season
Zone: Statewide
Brant
General
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
Early Resident Season
Eastern Hunt Zone includes Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester, and parts of Anne Arundel, Prince George's, and Charles counties.
Zone: Eastern Hunt Zone
Canada Goose
Early Resident Season
Western Hunt Zone includes Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, Washington, and parts of Anne Arundel, Prince George's, and Charles counties.
Zone: Western Hunt Zone
Canada Goose
Late Resident Season
Southern MD Zone: 11/22-11/28 (5/day), 12/15-12/18 (5/day), 12/19-1/3 (1/day), 1/5-1/13 (5/day), 1/14-1/31 (1/day), 2/2-3/7 (5/day). Western MD Zone: 11/22-11/28 (5/day), 12/15-3/7 (5/day). Dates vary by sub-zone.
Zone: Late Resident Season (Southern and Western MD)
Canada Goose
Late Resident Season
Southern MD: 11/22-11/28 (5/day), 12/15-12/18 (5/day), 12/19-1/3 (1/day), 1/5-1/13 (5/day), 1/14-1/31 (1/day), 2/2-3/7 (5/day). Western MD: 11/22-11/28 (5/day), 12/15-3/7 (5/day).
Zone: Late Resident (Southern and Western Maryland)
Canada Goose
Migratory Atlantic Population
Season runs 12/19-1/3 and 1/14-1/31. Zone includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary's, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester, parts of Carroll, Prince George's, and Charles counties.
Zone: Migratory Atlantic Population Zone
Canada Goose
Migratory Atlantic Population
Season segments: 12/19-1/3 and 1/14-1/31. Zone includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary's, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester Counties and portions of Carroll, Prince George's, and Charles Counties.
Zone: Migratory Atlantic Population Hunt Zone
Ducks
Regular Season
Season runs 10/4-10/18, 11/22-11/28, 12/16-1/31.
Zone: Western Zone
Ducks
General
Season segments: 10/4-10/18, 11/22-11/28, 12/16-1/31. Western Zone is that portion of the state not included in the Eastern Zone.
Zone: Western Zone
Ducks
General
Season segments: 10/11-10/18, 11/15-11/28, 12/16-1/31. Eastern Zone includes Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, Saint Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester counties and portions of Baltimore, Howard, Prince George's, and Montgomery counties.
Zone: Eastern Zone
Ducks
Regular Season
Season runs 10/11-10/18, 11/15-11/28, 12/16-1/31.
Zone: Eastern Zone
Light Goose
Regular Season
Season runs 10/1-11/28 and 12/15-1/31, ending 2/7.
Zone: Statewide
Light Goose
General
Season segments: 10/1-11/28 and 12/15-1/31, ending 2/7.
Zone: Statewide
Light Goose
Conservation Order Season
Season runs 12/1-12/13, 2/2-2/6, 2/9-4/15. Zone includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary's, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester, parts of Carroll, Prince George's, and Charles counties.
Zone: Light Goose Conservation Season Zone
Teal
September Season
Zone includes Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester, and parts of Anne Arundel, Prince George's, and Charles counties.
Zone: September Teal Hunt Zone
Waterfowl
Youth/Veteran/Military Hunt Days
Specific dates: 11/1 and 2/7.
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
Youth, Veteran & Military Hunt Days
Youth, Veteran, and Military Hunt Days on 11/1 and 2/7.
Zone: Statewide
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Nearby waterfowl seasons
Maryland Waterfowl Season FAQ
When does waterfowl season open in Maryland?
September 1, 2025 is the earliest listed waterfowl opener in Maryland — early resident season canada goose runs Sep 1-15, 2025. Confirm zone and permit details with Maryland DNR.
What are the 2025-26 waterfowl season dates in Maryland?
Maryland lists 18 waterfowl season windows: Regular Season Brant (Dec 29, 2025-Jan 31, 2026); General Brant (Dec 29, 2025-Jan 31, 2026); Early Resident Season Canada Goose (Sep 1-15, 2025); Early Resident Season Canada Goose (Sep 1-15, 2025); Late Resident Season Canada Goose (Nov 22, 2025-Mar 7, 2026); Late Resident Season Canada Goose (Nov 22, 2025-Mar 7, 2026); Migratory Atlantic Population Canada Goose (Dec 19, 2025-Jan 31, 2026); Migratory Atlantic Population Canada Goose (Dec 19, 2025-Jan 31, 2026); and more. Always verify against Maryland DNR before hunting.
Are there different waterfowl seasons in Maryland?
Yes — Maryland lists separate waterfowl seasons for Regular Season Brant, General Brant, Early Resident Season Canada Goose, Late Resident Season Canada Goose, Migratory Atlantic Population Canada Goose, Regular Season Ducks. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Maryland DNR.
Do I need a license to hunt waterfowl in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and waterfowl hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Maryland DNR.