What’s New for 2012–13

More Sunday Hunting

• Sundays have been added for deer hunting on private land only in Caroline, Harford, Somerset, and Worcester counties. See White-tailed Deer and Sika Deer pages.
• Turkey hunting on private land is now allowed in Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Dorchester and St Mary’s counties on all Sundays of the spring season, including the Junior Hunt weekend. See Wild Turkey.

It is now legal to place a cocked, but unloaded crossbow in or on a vehicle. It is illegal to have a crossbow that is cocked and loaded (with an arrow or bolt in the firing position) in or on a vehicle.

Bowhunters must wear fluorescent orange when hunting deer in Allegany and Garrett counties when the black bear season is open.

Otter trapping season has been opened in Allegany and Garrett counties with a season limit of one. Otter pelts must be tagged and the carcass turned in to the Wildlife and Heritage Service. Call 301-334-4255 for more information.

The red and gray fox season has been extended for shooting only.

Hunters taking a deer in the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area may now remove deer leg quarters from that area if no portion of the spinal cord is attached. Deer carcasses or parts may be taken to approved taxidermists. See Deer Regulations for more information on CWD.

Deer Management Region B now has an unlimited bag limit for antlerless white-tailed deer for the Bow Season only.

The Bow Season for white-tailed and sika deer will open on September 7, 2012.

The bag limit for ANTLERED white-tailed deer has been changed. The new bag limit is 3 antlered deer, 1 per weapon season, STATEWIDE (Deer Management Regions A and B). One bonus antlered deer may be taken during one weapon season in REGION B ONLY. A hunter must first purchase a Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp and take two antlerless deer during any combination of the weapon seasons in Region B before taking a bonus buck.

DNR has a new web-based licensing system called COMPASS. It is available 24/7 for self-service online purchases (www.dnr.maryland.gov/service) and 7 AM to 7 PM via our live operator call center at 1-855-855-3906 (license will be emailed). Licenses are available for instant printing and an electronic copy is emailed 30 minutes after purchase. COMPASS includes a new, free DNRid Card that will provide a personal account and convenience for future purchases. Hunters can print additional Big Game Harvest Records and check your deer or turkey, both free, through COMPASS online. All convenience fees have been eliminated.

The days that waterfowl hunting is allowed in the Deal Island WMA impoundment have been changed. See Public Hunting Lands for open hunting dates and permit requirements.