ANNAPOLIS — Maryland’s Atlantic Population migratory Canada goose hunting season opens December 19, 2025, with two segments running through January 3, 2026, and resuming January 14 through January 31, 2026. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the dates as part of the 2025-2026 migratory game bird regulations, which also include split seasons for resident geese in southern and western zones extending into March 2026.
“A Maryland Canada goose hunt is a great opportunity to reconnect with family and friends, or introduce a new hunter to the tradition,” said Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer. “Canada geese are one of Maryland’s iconic gamebirds and the sounds of migrating geese are a sign that fall has arrived.”
The daily bag limit stands at one goose in the AP Canada Goose Hunting Zone, with a possession limit of three times the daily bag. Hunters must adhere to federal frameworks set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which coordinate with Atlantic Flyway states to manage populations based on annual surveys. More details on seasons, regulations and licensing appear on the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service website.
In the Late Southern Maryland Resident Goose Zone, which covers Montgomery County, the portion of Prince George’s County west of Route 3 and Route 301, and the portion of Charles County west of Route 301, boundaries have shifted for the 2025-2026 season. Dates and limits include November 22-28 and December 15-18 with five geese per day and possession of 15; December 19-January 3, 2026, at one per day and possession of three; January 5-13, 2026, at five per day and possession of 15; January 14-31, 2026, at one per day and possession of three; and February 2-March 7, 2026, at five per day and possession of 15.
The Late Western Maryland Resident Canada Goose Zone encompasses Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Washington counties, and the portion of Carroll County west of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line. This zone opens November 22-28 and December 15-March 7, 2026, with a daily bag of five and possession of 15.
Licenses, stamps and permits are available through the MD Outdoors website, DNR service centers or over 250 sport license agents statewide. Public land opportunities feature in DNR resources, with questions directed to the Wildlife and Heritage Service at 410-260-8540.
Canada goose management in Maryland balances conservation with recreational use, distinguishing between migratory Atlantic Population birds, which winter along the coast, and resident geese that remain year-round. Resident populations grew significantly in the late 20th century due to habitat changes from agriculture and urban development, leading to conflicts in parks and farms. Hunting serves as the primary control method, as outlined in DNR guidelines for landowners dealing with overabundant geese . The Atlantic Flyway Council, involving Maryland and other states, sets frameworks based on breeding surveys; for 2025-2026, the AP season reflects stable numbers after restrictions in the 1990s when populations dipped below 1 million, prompting a four-year closure by 1998 to aid recovery.
Historical goose hunting traces to the late 1800s on the Eastern Shore, where market hunters supplied urban markets until regulations in the early 1900s curbed overhunting. By the 1960s, poultry farming expanded feed sources, attracting more wintering geese and boosting guided hunts around Easton and other areas. Maryland’s resident geese, weighing six to 12 pounds with black heads and white cheek patches, thrive in wetlands but adapt to lawns, prompting non-lethal deterrents like habitat modification alongside regulated harvests.
In Southern Maryland, public hunting grounds offer access for waterfowl pursuits. Cedar Point Wildlife Management Area in Charles County spans 1,900 acres of tidal marshes along the Potomac River, ideal for geese with blinds available by lottery. Nanjemoy WMA, also in Charles, covers 3,500 acres with wetlands supporting diverse birds. Myrtle Grove WMA in Charles provides 1,000 acres for seasonal hunts, requiring permits. Bowen WMA in Prince George’s features forested uplands and ponds. Chicamuxen WMA in Charles, at 400 acres, borders the Potomac with water access. Cheltenham WMA in Prince George’s, 200 acres, allows limited waterfowl opportunities. These sites fall under DNR’s Southern Region, where reservations may apply for blinds. Additional spots like Chapel Point State Park in Charles offer tidal marsh habitats for geese, with rules prohibiting permanent structures.
DNR administers a waterfowl blind site licensing system, with a lottery for 2025-2026 held in July for riparian owners and offshore sites . Youth, veteran and military hunters get dedicated days, including February 7, 2026, with bag limits mirroring regular seasons but adjusted for zones: one Canada goose in AP areas, five in resident zones.
Regulations mandate nontoxic shot for waterfowl, with shotguns limited to three shells unless plugs removed for other game. HIP certification is required for migratory bird hunters. Seasons align with federal migratory bird treaties, emphasizing sustainable harvests amid climate shifts affecting flyways.
Geese contribute to Maryland’s outdoor economy, with waterfowl hunting generating licenses and stamps funding habitat restoration. In Southern Maryland, where rivers like the Patuxent and Potomac converge, these pursuits tie into local traditions, drawing participants to WMAs for managed access.
