Upland game species include bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbit, crows, and ring-necked pheasant.
Hunting Hours
One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
Licensing Requirements
A Regular Hunting License, Junior Hunting License, Senior Hunting License or Nonresident Hunting License is required to hunt upland game. See Licenses & Permits for descriptions, prices, and availability of licenses, stamps, and permits.
Legal Hunting Devices
For information on legal firearms and archery equipment for hunting upland game, refer to Firearms, Bow & Falconry Regulations.
Other Regulations
- The head, plumage and feet shall remain attached to all pheasants to permit identification of species and sex while being transported from the place where killed to the place of final disposition. This does not pertain to captive-reared pheasants taken on Regulated Shooting Areas.
- The use of decoys, calls and/or recordings for hunting crows is allowed. Hunters must wear fluorescent orange when hunting upland game except crows. For more information see, fluorescent orange.
Upland Wildlife Habitat Fund
The UPLAND WILDLIFE HABITAT FUND was created by legislation to help restore Maryland’s declining upland wildlife population. Donations made to the fund will be used only for the purpose of restoring upland wildlife habitat. Contributions to the fund can be made at any location selling Maryland hunting and fishing licenses. All donations qualify as charitable deductions for income tax purposes. Individuals and corporations may also contribute to the fund by check or money order made payable to the:
Upland Wildlife Habitat Fund
Maryland DNR—Wildlife & Heritage Service
Upland Wildlife Habitat Fund
580 Taylor Avenue
Tawes State Office Bldg., E-1
Annapolis, MD 21401
|
Species |
Open Season |
Location |
Bag Limit |
Possession Limit |
|
Crow |
Aug. 15–Mar. 15 Wed.–Sat. Only |
All counties |
No limit |
No limit |
|
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit |
Nov. 5–Feb. 29 |
All counties |
4 per day |
8 |
|
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit – Falconry |
Nov. 5– Mar. 31 |
All counties |
4 per day |
8 |
|
Pheasant Male only |
Nov. 5–Dec. 31 |
All counties |
1 per day |
2 |
|
Pheasant – Falconry, both sexes |
Nov. 5–Mar. 31 |
All counties |
1 per day |
2 |
|
Quail |
CLOSED SEASON |
Allegany & Garrett counties |
— |
— |
|
Nov. 5–Jan. 14 |
Lands owned or managed by DNR excluding Allegany & Garrett counties. |
6 per day, no more than 3 per day on lands owned or managed by DNR |
12 in all counties and zones combined |
|
|
Nov. 5–Feb. 15 |
Private lands east of I-83 from PA south to I-695 to I-95 south to VA |
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|
Nov. 5–Jan. 14 |
Private lands west of I-83 from PA south to I-695 to I-95 south to VA, excluding Allegany & Garrett counties. |
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|
Quail – Falconry |
Nov. 5–Mar. 31 |
All counties |
4 per day |
8 |
|
Showshoe Hare |
CLOSED SEASON |
— |
— |
— |
