Maryland

Maryland Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply (2026)

Complete guide to Maryland hunting license costs, requirements, seasons, and regulations for the Aug 1, 2025 – Jul 31, 2026 season.

Last updated: March 2026

Resident License $35 General hunting

Non-Resident License $160 General hunting

Hunter Education Required Born after 1960-01-01

Online Purchase Yes Aug 1, 2025 – Jul 31, 2026

LICENSE FEES

Maryland Hunting License Fees 2026

Current hunting license costs for residents and non-residents. License year: Aug 1, 2025 – Jul 31, 2026.

Resident Licenses

Resident Regular Hunting (16-64) $35 —

Resident Senior Hunting (65+) $5 —

Resident Junior Hunting (Under 16) $10.50 —

Resident Apprentice Hunting $15 —

Non-Resident Licenses

Non-Resident Regular Hunting (16+) — $160

Non-Resident Senior Hunting (65+) — $65

Non-Resident Junior (Under 16) — $65

Non-Resident Apprentice — $40

Tags & Permits

Deer (White-tailed) Free Free

Sika Deer Stamp $10 $25

Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp $10 $25

Turkey Free Free

Black Bear (Lottery) Free Free

Endorsements & Stamps

Archery Stamp $6 Required for archery deer; NR: $25

Muzzleloader Stamp $6 Required for muzzleloader deer; NR: $25

Migratory Game Bird Stamp $9 Required for migratory birds incl. waterfowl, dove, woodcock

Federal Duck Stamp $25 Required for waterfowl 16+; valid Jul 1 – Jun 30

HIP Certification Free Free; required for migratory bird hunters

Furbearer Permit $25 Required for trapping/hunting furbearers (fox, raccoon, etc.)

PURCHASE

How to Buy a Maryland Hunting License

Multiple convenient options to get your license quickly.

Buy Online (Recommended)

Visit compass.dnr.maryland.gov or MD Outdoors app. Create account (SSN last 4 digits required). Select hunting license ($35 res / $160 NR). Add stamps: archery ($6), muzzleloader ($6), sika ($10). Add Bonus Antlered Stamp ($10) for 3rd buck. Add Migratory Game Bird Stamp ($9) if waterfowl/dove. Apply for bear lottery if interested. Pay and print license

Buy In Person

Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's, Walmart stores, Local sporting goods stores, DNR regional offices

Buy By Phone

Call 410-260-8540. Service fee may apply

Shop for hunting gear at our partners:

Bass Pro Shops → Cabela's → Amazon → Academy Sports →

Pro Tip

The easiest way to buy your Maryland hunting license is online through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. You'll get your license instantly and can start hunting right away.

EDUCATION

Hunter Education Requirements in Maryland

Who needs it: All hunters born on or after January 1, 1960

Online course: Available — Cost: Free

Field day required: Yes, in-person field day required

Minimum age: 10 years old

Apprentice/deferral program: Available — hunt under supervision while completing education

Military exemption: Yes, active duty military may be exempt

Start Your Hunter Education Course

EXEMPTIONS

Who Can Hunt for Free (or at a Discount) in Maryland?

Youth (Under 16) $10.50 license Junior hunting; youth hunting days offer free license

Senior (65+) $5 license Residents 65+ pay just $5; may purchase in calendar year turning 65

Disabled Veteran Free Service-connected disabled veterans receive free licenses

Active Military Resident rates Active duty stationed in MD pay resident rates

Landowner Free on own land MD resident landowners hunt own property without license; still need harvest reporting

Apprentice Hunter No hunter ed needed $15 res / $40 NR; hunt with licensed mentor for up to 2 years

SEASONS

Maryland Hunting Seasons 2026-2027

Key hunting season dates and weapon restrictions.

White-tailed/Sika Deer Archery Sep 6 – Jan 31 Bow and crossbow; nearly 5-month season; longest in East

White-tailed/Sika Deer Youth Deer Day Mid-Oct – 1 day Any legal weapon; supervised youth

White-tailed/Sika Deer Muzzleloader Oct 18 – Oct 25 Muzzleloader; stamp required

White-tailed/Sika Deer Firearms Nov 29 – Dec 13 Rifle, shotgun; 2-week season

White-tailed/Sika Deer Late Muzzleloader Dec 18 – Dec 31 Muzzleloader; antlerless focus

Black Bear Bear Hunt (Lottery) Oct – Oct Rifle, muzzleloader, bow; Garrett/Allegany; 2nd lottery Frederick/Washington

Turkey Youth Spring Mid-Apr – 1 day Shotgun, bow; supervised youth

Turkey Spring Apr 19 – May 24 Shotgun, bow

Turkey Fall Oct 25 – Nov 1 Shotgun, bow

Dove Regular (3 splits) Sep 1 – Jan 15 Shotgun; non-toxic shot required in some fields

Woodcock Regular Oct-Nov – Varies Shotgun; HIP required

Rabbit Regular Nov 1 – Feb 28 Shotgun; cottontail

Squirrel Regular Sep 6 – Jan 31 Shotgun, .22 rifle

Pheasant (Stocked) Regular Nov – Jan Shotgun; DNR stocks WMAs

Ruffed Grouse Regular Oct – Jan Shotgun; western MD mountains

Duck/Waterfowl Regular Oct-Jan – Zone-specific Shotgun (non-toxic); Chesapeake Bay hunting

Canada Goose Early/Regular Sep-Mar – Zone-specific Shotgun; early season Sep; resident goose management

Coyote Year-Round Jan 1 – Dec 31 No limit; any legal weapon

BAG LIMITS

Maryland Bag Limits

Daily and seasonal harvest limits for major game species.

White-tailed Deer 1 2 antlered + antlerless varies by region Bonus Antlered Stamp allows 3rd buck; liberal antlerless in some counties

Sika Deer 1 1 antlered + unlimited antlerless Eastern Shore (Dorchester County); unique to MD; $10/$25 stamp

Black Bear 1 1 Lottery only; western MD mountains; growing population

Turkey (Spring) 1 2 Bearded turkeys

Turkey (Fall) 1 1 Either sex

Dove 15 No season limit 3 seasonal splits; Eastern Shore prime habitat

Rabbit 4 No season limit Cottontail

Squirrel 5 No season limit Gray and fox squirrel

COMPARE

How Maryland Compares to Neighboring States

See how hunting license costs stack up in the region.

Maryland $35 $160

Pennsylvania $20.97 $101.97 Delaware $39.50 $199.50 Virginia $23 $110 West Virginia $19 $119

Compare All 50 States

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland Hunting Licenses

How much is a hunting license in Maryland?

Resident: $35 (16-64). Senior 65+: $5 — cheapest in the US. Youth: $10.50. NR: $160. NR senior: $65. Apprentice: $15/$40. Archery stamp $6 and muzzleloader stamp $6 additional.

Can I hunt sika deer?

Yes — Maryland is one of the ONLY states with free-ranging sika deer, found on the Eastern Shore (Dorchester County marshland). Sika Deer Stamp: $10 res / $25 NR. Antlerless sika limits are UNLIMITED.

How many deer can I take?

2 antlered bucks (3 with $10 Bonus Antlered Stamp). Antlerless limits vary by county — some areas allow unlimited. Maryland is known for liberal antlerless harvest to manage suburban deer populations.

How long is archery season?

Sep 6 – Jan 31 — nearly 5 months and one of the longest in the eastern US. Crossbows legal. Archery Stamp: $6 res / $25 NR. Great for suburban and rural deer management zones.

Is there a bear hunt?

Yes — MD has a lottery bear hunt in western MD mountains (Garrett/Allegany counties). A 2nd lottery covers Frederick/Washington counties. Free to apply. Growing bear population ~2,000+.

What about Chesapeake Bay waterfowl?

Maryland's Chesapeake Bay is a premier waterfowl destination. Migratory Game Bird Stamp ($9), Federal Duck Stamp ($25), and HIP required. Canada goose early season Sep with additional regular season.

Do seniors get discounts?

Yes — MD residents 65+ pay only $5 for hunting (vs. $35 regular). NR seniors: $65 (vs. $160). One of the most generous senior programs in the mid-Atlantic.

Can I buy online?

Yes, at compass.dnr.maryland.gov (MD Outdoors system). Also available on MD Outdoors mobile app. Need last 4 SSN digits. Also at Bass Pro, Walmart, and sporting goods stores.