Maryland Hunting Seasons & Prices
2026 big-game season dates and license/tag prices.
Maryland offers 2026 hunting seasons for whitetail across archery, muzzleloader, and firearm methods. Seasons run from September 11, 2026 through January 31, 2027. A hunting license (base) costs $35 for residents and $160 for nonresidents.
Planning reference only — always confirm dates and prices with the state wildlife agency before applying, buying a license, or hunting.
Season dates
Whitetail
| Season | Method | Opens | Closes | Notes | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery (1) | Archery | Sep 11, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Muzzleloader (1) | Muzzleloader | Oct 22, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp may not be used during this segment. | 🔔 |
| Archery (2) | Archery | Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | Sunday hunting only in certain counties during this window. | 🔔 |
| Firearms | Firearm | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 12, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Archery (3) | Archery | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 18, 2026 | 🔔 | |
| Muzzleloader (2) | Muzzleloader | Dec 19, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | 🔔 | |
| Archery (4) | Archery | Jan 3, 2027 | Jan 7, 2027 | Sunday hunting only in certain counties during this window. | 🔔 |
| Archery (Region A only) | Archery | Jan 8, 2027 | Jan 10, 2027 | 🔔 | |
| Firearms (Region B only) | Firearm | Jan 8, 2027 | Jan 10, 2027 | 🔔 | |
| Archery (5) | Archery | Jan 11, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | 🔔 |
License & tag prices
| License | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting License (base) | $35 | $160 | |
| Senior Resident License (65+) | $5 | — | |
| Archery Stamp | $6 | $25 | |
| Muzzleloader Stamp | $6 | — |
Deer hunting needs a base hunting license plus season stamps (archery / muzzleloader); a Sika deer stamp applies in eastern counties.
Source: Maryland DNR hunting licenses, stamps & permits (dnr.maryland.gov)
Maryland hunt units
Explore harvest history, success rates, and draw odds by unit.
Allegany Black bearFrederick Black bearGarrett Black bearWashington Black bearCaroline Sika deerDorchester Sika deerSomerset Sika deerWicomico Sika deerWorcester Sika deerAllegany TurkeyAnne Arundel TurkeyBaltimore Turkey
Browse all Maryland harvest data →Maryland hunting FAQ
- When does whitetail season open in Maryland in 2026?
- Maryland's 2026 whitetail archery season opens September 11 and runs through October 21. Always confirm exact dates with the state wildlife agency before hunting.
- What big-game species can you hunt in Maryland?
- In 2026, Maryland has hunting seasons for whitetail.
- How much is a Maryland hunting license for nonresidents?
- A hunting license (base) in Maryland is $160 for nonresidents and $35 for residents.