Maryland’s second muzzleloader deer hunting season runs from Dec. 20, 2025, through Jan. 3, 2026, giving hunters a two-week window to pursue white-tailed and sika deer with muzzleloading rifles, pistols or shotguns across the entire state.
The late season follows the October portion of the split muzzleloader season and overlaps with the Christmas and New Year holidays. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer noted the timing allows hunters to spend time outdoors with family and friends during holiday gatherings.
“The late muzzleloader season coincides with the holidays, offering hunters a chance to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family as they gather together to celebrate,” Stonesifer said. “Many hunters enjoy using traditional and modern muzzleloaders to put venison in their family’s freezer or generously donate a deer they have harvested to in need during the cold holiday season.”
Hunters must hold a valid Maryland hunting license and a muzzleloader stamp to participate, unless they qualify for a license exemption. Anyone targeting sika deer also needs a separate sika stamp. All three items — the base hunting license, muzzleloader stamp and sika stamp — can be purchased online through the MD Outdoors licensing portal, at Sport License agents throughout the state, or by calling DNR Licensing and Registration at 866-344-8889.
The department urges participants to review the 2025-2026 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping for complete rules on bag limits, deer registration requirements, and county-specific regulations before heading afield.
White-tailed deer taken during the late muzzleloader season remain subject to Maryland’s antler-point restriction. Within the annual bag limit, hunters may take one antlered white-tailed buck that has fewer than three points on one antler. Every additional antlered white-tailed buck harvested must have at least three points measuring one inch or longer on one antler. Junior hunters age 16 and younger are exempt from the restriction.
For sika deer, the muzzleloader season bag limit is three deer, only one of which may be antlered. An antlered sika is defined as any deer with at least one antler visible above the hairline. The sika season is open statewide, including Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties where sika populations have expanded in recent decades.
Safety regulations require all deer hunters and anyone accompanying them to wear daylight fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink. Acceptable options include a solid fluorescent cap, a vest or jacket with at least 250 square inches of fluorescent material on the front and back, or a full camouflage fluorescent garment worn above the waist that is at least 50 percent fluorescent color.
Tree-stand safety receives special emphasis from DNR. Hunters should inspect stands and ladders for damage before use and always wear a full-body safety harness. The department recommends attaching a prusik knot or similar sliding tether to a line secured above the stand so the hunter remains connected to the tree from the moment they leave the ground until they return.
Hunters looking to share their harvest can donate venison through participating processors. Maryland offers a state tax credit of up to $500 for processing costs on donated deer, and several regional programs in Southern Maryland accept contributions to help feed families in need. Hunters should contact their local processor for details on participating charities.
Deer harvested during the late muzzleloader season must be checked in through the DNR’s online, phone, or in-person registration system by 9 p.m. the day of the kill. Field dressing and quartering are permitted before check-in, but the head must remain attached to one quarter or intact carcass until registration is complete for Chronic Wasting Disease sampling when required.
The late season provides one of the final opportunities of the 2025-2026 regulatory year to fill freezers or contribute to food-assistance programs before the statewide seasons close.
