Migratory Game Bird Hunting

Federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations can be viewed at: dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/MGB_FederalHuntingRegs.pdf

Offshore Waterfowl Hunting Rules and Regulations (offshore duck blinds, sea duck and offshore waterfowl hunting zones) can be viewed at: dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/hunt_trap/offshore_intro.aspx

General Migratory Game Bird Hunting Rules

• Migratory game birds may not be hunted on Sundays.
• A hunter must carry personal photo identification (such as driver’s license) or a secondary form of identification while hunting.
• Written permission is required to hunt on private land.
• A hunting license is required to hunt migratory game birds (with exceptions). See Hunting Licenses, Stamps and Permits (Hunting Licenses) for Armed Forces information and hunting license costs, exceptions, purchasing, requirements and types.
• A Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp (printed validation, Hunting Licenses) is required of all hunters to hunt all migratory game birds in Maryland. This includes persons not required to have a hunting license and holders of senior hunting licenses. An actual stamp is no longer produced.
  • This validation may be obtained through the COMPASS portal at compass.dnr.maryland.gov/ OR any Licensing and Registration Service Center (Addresses & Phone Numbers) OR a Sport License agent.
• A Harvest Information Program Certification is required of all hunters to hunt all migratory game birds. The certification is free and issued with the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp. When you purchase your Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp, you will be asked the following Harvest Information Program questions that are used for harvest survey sampling only:
  • Do you plan to hunt brant this coming hunting season?
  • About how many ducks, geese, doves and woodcock did you bag last season?
  • Did you hunt coots, sea ducks (eiders, long-tailed ducks and scoters), snipe or rails last season?
• Hunters must have the printed validation showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp and Harvest Information Program certification in their possession while hunting migratory game birds.
• A Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Hunting Licenses) is required of all hunters 16 years of age or older to hunt brant, coots, ducks and geese. This includes persons not required to have a hunting license (see Who May Hunt Without a License, Hunting Licenses).
  • This stamp may be purchased from National Wildlife Refuges, Post Offices, online at duckstamp.com and through the COMPASS portal at compass.dnr.maryland.gov/ OR any Licensing and Registration Service Center (Addresses & Phone Numbers) OR a Sport License agent.
  • If you purchase your stamp through COMPASS, a sport license agent, online licensing or a Licensing and Registration Center, you will receive a printed validation showing proof of purchase.
  • Hunters must have a validation showing proof of purchase of Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp in their possession while hunting waterfowl and coots.
  • Waterfowl hunters are no longer required to have the physical Federal Duck Stamp in their possession while hunting.
  • Although the possession of the stamp is no longer required, the U.S. Department of the Interior intends to mail paper stamps to purchasers by March 10 each year.
• A Maryland Snow Goose Conservation Order Hunting Season Permit (Hunting Licenses) is required to participate in the Light Goose Conservation Order Season. Hunters must possess the printed validation showing proof of the purchase of this permit while hunting (see Migratory Game Bird Seasons & Limits).
• A Regulated Shooting Area Hunting License allows you to shoot only captive-raised game birds on a state-licensed Regulated Shooting Area (see Other Licenses, Hunting Licenses). To hunt free-flying, captive-raised mallard ducks or wild waterfowl on a state-licensed Regulated Shooting Area, a hunter must possess a Maryland hunting license, the printed validation showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp and a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp or its proof of purchase (if over the age of 15).
• A Stationary Blind and Blind Site License is required to hunt from an offshore waterfowl blind or blind site in Maryland public waters (see Hunting Licenses). For all Maryland Offshore Waterfowl Hunting information including riparian landowners refer to: https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/hunt_trap/offshore_intro.aspx, 410-260-8538.