When does deer season start in Maryland?

No current deer opener is listed for Maryland yet. Check Maryland DNR for the latest published dates.

When is Maryland's firearm deer season?

Maryland does not have a firearm deer row in the current data set yet. Check Maryland DNR for firearm, rifle, or general deer season details.

When does spring turkey open in Maryland?

A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Maryland yet. Check Maryland DNR for the latest turkey dates.

Do I need a license to hunt in Maryland?

Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Maryland hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Maryland DNR.

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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.

General 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.

Last verified: June 15, 2026 · Source: Maryland DNR

Waterfowl

18 listed rows

Brant

General

Closed

—

Dec 29, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

Zone: Statewide

Brant

Regular Season

Closed

—

Dec 29, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

Zone: Statewide

Canada Goose

Early Resident Season

Closed

—

Sep 1-15, 2025

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

Early Resident Season

Closed

—

Sep 1-15, 2025

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

Late Resident Season

Closed

—

Nov 22, 2025-Mar 7, 2026

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

Late Resident Season

Closed

—

Nov 22, 2025-Mar 7, 2026

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

Migratory Atlantic Population

Closed

—

Dec 19, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

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

Canada Goose

Migratory Atlantic Population

Closed

—

Dec 19, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

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

Ducks

General

Closed

—

Oct 4, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

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

Regular Season

Closed

—

Oct 4, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

Season runs 10/4-10/18, 11/22-11/28, 12/16-1/31.

Zone: Western Zone

Ducks

General

Closed

—

Oct 11, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

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

Closed

—

Oct 11, 2025-Jan 31, 2026

Season runs 10/11-10/18, 11/15-11/28, 12/16-1/31.

Zone: Eastern Zone

Show 6 more waterfowl rows

Light Goose

Regular Season

Closed

—

Oct 1, 2025-Feb 7, 2026

Season runs 10/1-11/28 and 12/15-1/31, ending 2/7.

Zone: Statewide

Light Goose

General

Closed

—

Oct 1, 2025-Feb 7, 2026

Season segments: 10/1-11/28 and 12/15-1/31, ending 2/7.

Zone: Statewide

Light Goose

Conservation Order Season

Closed

—

Dec 1, 2025-Apr 15, 2026

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

Closed

—

Sep 18-27, 2025

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

Closed

—

Nov 1, 2025-Feb 7, 2026

Youth, Veteran, and Military Hunt Days on 11/1 and 2/7.

Zone: Statewide

Waterfowl

Youth/Veteran/Military Hunt Days

Closed

—

Nov 1, 2025-Feb 7, 2026

Specific dates: 11/1 and 2/7.

Zone: Statewide