ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The first segment of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer season for white-tailed and sika deer runs statewide from Oct. 16 to 18, 2025, followed by an antlerless-only period in Region B from Oct. 20 to 25. Region B encompasses the central, southern and eastern parts of the state, including Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties in Southern Maryland. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources sets these dates as part of the 2025-2026 hunting calendar to align with cooler weather and peak deer activity, aiding in population control.
“The early muzzleloader season is a great opportunity enjoy the colors of autumn while putting venison in the freezer,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “Coinciding with cooler weather and increased deer activity makes it a great time to be out in the woods helping to manage Maryland’s deer herd.”
For white-tailed deer, the statewide bag limit stands at two antlered bucks for the season, with hunters in Region B eligible for one additional bonus buck via a Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp, though not during the early muzzleloader period. Antlerless bag limits vary by region: 10 in Region B for archery, muzzleloader and firearms combined, reflecting efforts to curb overpopulation in areas with high deer densities. An antler-point restriction applies, requiring at least three points on one antler for most antlered deer beyond the first, exempting juniors 16 and under.
Sika deer seasons mirror white-tailed dates, open statewide for either sex from Oct. 16 to 18 and antlerless-only from Oct. 20 to 25. Sika, an introduced species from Asia, thrive in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties, with populations estimated at 10,000 to 12,000, offering unique hunts near Southern Maryland’s waterways. Hunters need a sika stamp alongside the muzzleloader stamp, with a bag limit of three sika total, no more than one antlered — defined as having at least one antler above the hairline.
Safety protocols emphasize inspecting tree stands and using full-body harnesses with prusik knots for secure tethering from ground level. The department reports tree stand falls as a leading cause of hunting injuries, with proper gear reducing risks in Maryland’s varied terrain.
New for 2025, the MD Outdoors online licensing system and free mobile app streamline purchases, renewals and reporting. Licenses are available online, at agents or by calling 866-344-8889. Muzzleloader stamps cost $25 for residents, $130 for nonresidents, required for all deer hunts in this period.
Hunters can donate deer to programs like Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, earning a state tax credit of up to $75 per antlerless deer processed and donated, with no annual cap under recent legislation. Donations support food banks, with over 1,000 deer processed annually statewide, aiding communities in Southern Maryland where venison supplements local pantries. Processors in Calvert and St. Mary’s counties participate, handling field-dressed deer for distribution.
In Southern Maryland, public lands like Parkers Creek Wildlife Management Area in Calvert County (1,877 acres) and Popes Creek WMA in Charles County provide prime spots for muzzleloader hunts, featuring tidal marshes and forests ideal for deer. These areas see moderate use, with reservations required for some sites to manage access. Last season, Region B hunters harvested 73,926 deer, a 16.5% increase, underscoring the region’s role in statewide management.
Maryland’s deer management dates to the early 1900s, with muzzleloader seasons introduced in the 1970s to extend opportunities while controlling harvests. The 2020-2034 White-Tailed Deer Management Plan aims to maintain populations at 200,000 to 250,000, balancing ecological health, crop damage and vehicle collisions. In Region B, surveys show 58% of public land hunters favor population increases, guiding liberal antlerless limits to address overabundance in suburban zones.
Sika deer, established since the 1910s on Assateague Island and spreading westward, require targeted management to prevent competition with native white-tails. Dorchester County’s marshes, accessible from Southern Maryland via Route 50, host guided hunts and public lands like Fishing Bay WMA.
Full regulations appear in the Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping, covering registration via the app within 24 hours. Junior hunt days precede the season, fostering youth involvement in conservation. With deer-vehicle crashes costing millions annually, controlled hunts in Southern Maryland’s rural routes promote safety and sustainability.
