Migratory Game Bird Seasons & Limits

Migratory Game Birds are: brant, coots, doves, ducks, geese, rails, snipe and woodcock.

Brant, ducks and geese are referred to as waterfowl.

There is no open season for gallinules, harlequin ducks, moorhens or swans.

The September Teal Season is open in these counties:

• Calvert
• Caroline
• Cecil
• Dorchester
• Harford
• Kent
• Queen Anne’s
• St. Mary’s
• Somerset
• Talbot
• Wicomico
• Worcester; and
• that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; and
• that part of Prince George’s County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and
• that part of Charles County east of Route 301.
• The daily bag limit is six teal. The bag limit may include blue-winged and green-winged teal. The possession limit is 18.
• Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for September Teal Season.

The Eastern Duck Season Zone is open in these counties: Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Saint Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester counties; and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, Prince George’s, and Montgomery counties east of a line beginning at I83 at the Pennsylvania state line, following I83 south to the intersection of I83 and I695 (Outer Loop), south following I695 (Outer Loop) to its intersection with I95, south following I95 to its intersection with I495 (Outer Loop), and following I495 (Outer Loop) to the Virginia shore of the Potomac River.

The Western Duck Season Zone open in these counties: Allegany, Carroll, Garrett, Frederick and Washington counties; and: those portions of Baltimore, Howard, Prince George’s, and Montgomery counties west of a line beginning at I83 at the Pennsylvania state line, following I83 south to the intersection of I83 and I695 (Outer Loop), south following I695 (Outer Loop) to its intersection with I95, south following I95 to its intersection with I495 (Outer Loop), and following I495 (Outer Loop) to the Virginia shore of the Potomac River.

To view the designated hunting areas, access the Maryland Duck Zone Map.

The daily bag limit for the Regular Duck Season in both the Eastern and Western Duck Zones is:

• 6 ducks, no more than:
  • 4 mallards (only 2 can be hens)
  • 3 wood ducks
  • 2 black ducks (Black Duck Season only)
  • 2 canvasbacks
  • 3 pintails
  • 2 redheads
  • 1 scaup per day (2 per day from Jan. 9 – Jan. 31)
  • 1 fulvous tree duck
  • 1 mottled duck
  • 4 sea ducks: no more than 3 scoters, 3 long-tailed ducks, or 3 eiders (only 1 eider hen).
• All other species of ducks may be taken up to the six duck limit.
• There is no open season for harlequin ducks.
• The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.
• Shooting hours for all duck and coot seasons are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
• In addition to the duck bag limit hunters may take 15 coots per day.

Sea Ducks (Scoters, Long-tailed Duck and Eiders)

• The Special Sea Duck Season is no longer included as an option for states in the federal framework of regulations for migratory game birds. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has retained the Sea Duck Zone in its entirety and sea ducks can be harvested within that zone, or anywhere else in Maryland, as part of the 6 duck daily bag limit during the regular duck season. The bag limit includes 4 sea ducks with no more than 3 scoters, 3 long-tailed ducks, or 3 eiders (only 1 eider hen). For maps and additional details, visit the Special Sea Duck Zone page on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.
• In the portions of the Special Sea Duck Zone that do not overlap the Offshore Waterfowl Hunting Zone, hunters may only shoot sea ducks. These ducks will count toward the regular daily duck bag limit. You can view the zone maps on Maryland’s ArcGIS portal.
• Prominent locations where the Sea Duck Zone does not overlap the Offshore Waterfowl Zone include the Eastern Bay, and the lower Chester, Choptank, and Little Choptank Rivers.

Statewide Youth, Veteran and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days are open for hunters age 16 or younger, military veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) of any age and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training).

To hunt during these days:

• Youth hunters, military veterans and active duty military personnel must have a hunting license or be exempt from the license requirement (see Who May Hunt Without a license). Military Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel must also carry appropriate credentials identifying them as such.
• These hunters must possess the printed validation showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp and Harvest Information Program certification.
• A Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp is not required of those under 16 years of age. This stamp is required of those who are at least 16 years old.
• Youth hunters hunting on these days must be accompanied in the field by an individual who:
  • Is 21 years old or older;
  • Possesses a valid Maryland hunting license (an Apprentice Hunting License does not meet this requirement), or is exempt from hunting license requirements;
  • Is unarmed;
  • Is not participating in other waterfowl seasons that are open on the youth days; and
  • May assist with decoys, call waterfowl and retrieve downed birds.

Note: Active military and honorably discharged veterans at least 21 years old may possess hunting weapons and hunt while also providing assistance to eligible youth hunters.

The daily bag limit for each Youth, Veteran and Military Waterfowl Hunting Day is:

• 6 ducks, no more than:
  • 4 sea ducks (no more than 3 scoters, 3 long-tailed ducks or 3 eiders)
  • 4 mallards (only 2 can be hens)
  • 3 wood ducks
  • 2 black ducks
  • 2 canvasbacks
  • 3 pintails
  • 2 redheads
  • 2 scaup
  • 1 fulvous tree duck
  • 1 mottled duck
• 1 brant
• 1 Canada goose in the Atlantic Population Goose Hunt Zone or
• 5 Canada geese in the Late Resident Goose Hunt Zone
• 15 coots
• 25 light geese
• Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for Youth, Veteran and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days.

• The daily bag limit is one brant and the possession limit is three.
• Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

The Eastern Zone season is open in these counties:

• Calvert
• Caroline
• Cecil
• Dorchester
• Harford
• Kent
• Queen Anne’s
• St. Mary’s
• Somerset
• Talbot
• Wicomico
• Worcester; and
• that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; and
• that part of Prince George’s County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and
• that part of Charles County east of Route 301.

The Western Zone season is open in these counties:

• Allegany
• Baltimore
• Carroll
• Frederick
• Garrett
• Howard
• Montgomery
• Washington; and
• that part of Anne Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; and
• that part of Prince George’s County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and
• that part of Charles County west of Route 301.
• The Eastern and Western Zone daily bag limit is eight geese and the possession limit is 24.
• Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset for both zones.
• Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells may be used to take resident Canada geese during these September seasons only.

The Atlantic Population Hunt Zone includes these counties:

• Anne Arundel
• Baltimore
• Calvert
• Caroline
• Cecil
• Dorchester
• Harford
• Howard
• Kent
• Queen Anne’s
• Somerset
• St. Mary’s
• Talbot
• Wicomico
• Worcester; and
• that portion of Carroll County east of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and east of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line; and
• that portion of Prince George’s County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and
• that portion of Charles County east of Route 301.
• The daily bag limit is 1 goose (in the Atlantic Population Hunt Zone) and the possession limit is three.
• The bag limit may include Canada geese, cackling geese and white-fronted geese.
• Shooting hours for this season and zone are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

The Late Resident Southern Maryland Zone includes these counties: Montgomery County; and that portion of Prince George’s County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that portion of Charles County west of Route 301.

• Includes Canada geese, cackling geese and white-fronted geese singly or in aggregate.
• Shooting hours for this season and zone are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

The Late Resident Western Maryland Canada Goose Zone includes these counties: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Washington, and that portion of Carroll County west of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line.

• Includes Canada geese, cackling geese and white-fronted geese singly or in aggregate.
• Shooting hours for this season and zone are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

• A Maryland hunting license (or resident Delaware hunting license) is required to hunt light geese in Maryland during the Light Goose Season (see Hunting Licenses, Stamps and Permits).
• The daily bag limit is 25 light geese and there is no possession limit.
• The bag limit may include greater snow geese, lesser snow geese and Ross’s geese.
• Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for the light goose hunting season.

The Light Goose Conservation Order Season Zone includes these counties:

• Anne Arundel
• Baltimore
• Calvert
• Caroline
• Cecil
• Dorchester
• Harford
• Howard
• Kent
• Queen Anne’s
• Somerset
• St. Mary’s
• Talbot
• Wicomico
• Worcester; and
• that portion of Carroll County east of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and east of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line; and
• that portion of Prince George’s County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and
• that portion of Charles County east of Route 301.
• The Light Goose Conservation Order Season provides additional hunting opportunities and methods to help reduce light goose over-population.
• A Maryland hunting license (or resident Delaware hunting license) is required to hunt light geese in Maryland during the Light Goose Conservation Order Season (see Hunting Licenses, Stamps and Permits).
• Hunters must possess the printed validation showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp and Harvest Information Program certification to hunt during the Maryland Light Goose Conservation Order Season.
• A $5 Maryland Snow Goose Conservation Order Hunting Season Permit 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.
• A Federal Duck Stamp is not required when hunting during the Conservation Order Season.
• The Light Goose Conservation Order Season and Zone does not include areas mapped or described as Sea Duck Zone only.
• There is no bag limit or possession limit for the Light Goose Conservation Order Season.
• Hunters may take greater snow geese, lesser snow geese and Ross’s geese.
• Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset during the Light Goose Conservation Order Season.
• Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells and electronic calls of light geese may be used during the Light Goose Conservation Order Season.

• The daily bag limit is 15 for doves. The possession limit for doves is 45.
• Shooting hours for the Sept. 1, 2025–Oct. 14, 2025 dove season segment are 12 noon to sunset. For dove season dates after Oct. 19, 2025, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

• The daily bag limit is three woodcock and the possession limit is nine.
• Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for woodcock.

• Clapper and King Rails: The daily bag limit is 10 (with no more than one king rail). The possession limit is 30 clapper and king rails (with no more than three king rails).
• Sora and Virginia Rails: The daily bag limit is 25 and the possession limit for these rails is 75.
• Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for rails.

• The daily bag limit is eight common snipe and the possession limit is 24.
• Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for common snipe.

In addition to the regular open seasons, the Extended Falconry Season dates are as follows for hunting migratory game birds:

• Mourning Doves: Jan. 10, 2026–Jan. 29, 2026
• Rails: Nov. 21, 2025–Jan. 2, 2026
• Woodcock: Oct. 1, 2025–Oct. 24, 2025
  Jan. 31, 2026–Mar. 7, 2026
• Ducks: Feb. 2, 2026–Mar. 7, 2026
• Brant: Feb. 2, 2026–Mar. 7, 2026
• Light Geese: Feb. 21, 2026–Mar. 7, 2026

Bag limits for each species is three per day, with a possession limit of nine.

• Hunting with birds of prey (here referred to as Falconry) is permitted one half hour before sunrise to sunset, Monday through Saturday. No Sundays are open to hunt migratory birds.
• A valid hunting license, migratory game bird stamps and a Falconry Permit are required to hunt migratory game birds with birds of prey.
• A bird of prey may be used to hunt migratory game birds during any open season.