Annapolis, Maryland – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has released details for the Maryland migratory game bird seasons 2025, with the first hunts starting Sept. 1 for doves and resident Canada geese. Hunters can access full bag limits, dates and shooting hours in the 2025-2026 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping, available online or at license agents. The announcement highlights opportunities across the state’s varied terrain, from coastal marshes to inland fields, drawing both novice and veteran participants.
Karina Stonesifer, director of the department’s Wildlife and Heritage Service, said: “Maryland hunters have been waiting for September with a high degree of anticipation, as fall hunting season begins. Maryland’s diverse landscape and abundant public hunting opportunities offer many options for new and experienced hunters.”
For doves, the Maryland migratory game bird seasons 2025 feature a split schedule: Sept. 1 to Oct. 18 with noon-to-sunset shooting hours, Oct. 25 to Nov. 28, and Dec. 20 to Jan. 9, 2026. Woodcock seasons run Oct. 25 to Nov. 28 and Jan. 12 to 28, 2026. The early resident Canada goose season divides by zone: Sept. 1 to 15 in the eastern zone, which includes Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties plus parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Prince George’s, and Sept. 1 to 25 in the western zone. During this period, shotguns holding more than three shells are permitted, with shooting hours from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset.
The September teal season spans Sept. 18 to 27, allowing six birds daily with hours from a half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Unless specified, other early Maryland migratory game bird seasons 2025 have shooting times from a half-hour before sunrise to sunset. These frameworks align with federal guidelines set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which proposed similar structures in January 2025 for the 2025-26 period to manage populations sustainably.
All hunters must obtain a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp and Harvest Information Program permit, with a printed receipt required in the field. Waterfowl hunters 16 and older need a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp. Purchases occur via the MD Outdoors website, by phone at 855-855-3906, at department centers or through 250 sport license agents. Banded birds should be reported online for a certificate detailing the specimen’s biology.
The Maryland migratory game bird seasons 2025 zones for waterfowl, viewable on the department’s website, guide hunters in areas like the Atlantic Population Zone and Atlantic Flyway Resident Population Zone. Questions go to 410-260-8540. These regulations support population monitoring, with the department conducting surveys on abundance and harvest to inform annual adjustments.
In Southern Maryland, encompassing Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties, public lands offer prime access for the Maryland migratory game bird seasons 2025. Myrtle Grove Wildlife Management Area in Charles County spans 5,000 acres of forest and wetlands, open Monday through Saturday for hunts including migratory birds, with a free public hunting permit required from the regional office. Reservations secure spots, and legal devices vary by species. Nearby, Patuxent Research Refuge provides upland and migratory game bird opportunities, emphasizing ethical practices amid its research focus. Assateague Island National Seashore allows migratory bird hunts with bag limits reported via phone or text, aiding data collection.
Youth waterfowl days encourage participation, with Southern Region permits and reservations needed for managed hunts. The Chesapeake Bay region’s role in the Atlantic Flyway makes it a key stopover, where hunters encounter ducks, geese and other species in habitats like marshes and open water. Partners such as Delta Waterfowl have supported legislation like 2023’s omnibus bills for conservation investments and access enhancements.
Hunting contributes significantly to Maryland’s economy and conservation. In 2018, it generated over $401 million, with hunters spending $50 million on trips and $128 million on equipment annually. Nationally, 2020 figures showed $65 billion in impacts, supporting jobs and wages. Maryland’s 145,000 hunters and 701,000 anglers add $881 million yearly, funding habitat protection through licenses and stamps. The Federal Duck Stamp has raised billions since 1934 for wetland acquisitions, benefiting migratory birds and public use.
The Maryland migratory game bird seasons 2025 build on prior years, like 2024-2025’s similar dove and goose splits, adjusted for population data. Upland options, including quail in certain counties, complement waterfowl pursuits, with Sunday hunting allowed in select areas. The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission and partners have expanded opportunities, adding acres for hunts in 2025. These efforts ensure sustainable harvests, with surveys tracking species like woodcock and teal.
As the Maryland migratory game bird seasons 2025 commence, officials stress safety and compliance, urging reports of violations. The program’s surveys and partnerships maintain healthy populations, allowing continued recreation in areas like Old Bohemia WMA, open for all legal game. Southern Maryland’s proximity to the bay enhances appeal, where ethical hunting supports biodiversity and local traditions.
