The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering a new special edition hard card for fishing, hunting and boating licenses to commemorate the United States’ 250th birthday. The card features historic artwork celebrating Maryland’s wildlife and outdoor heritage.
The new card is available for purchase on the MD Outdoors licensing website. It features a landscape of marshes and fields filled with pheasants, flying geese, ducks, striped bass, blue crabs, a squirrel and a rabbit. In the center is the outline of an oyster with an image of working watermen.
The image is a relic from Maryland’s past, having served as the frontispiece for the Maryland Conservationist magazine between 1924 and 1947. The magazine was the official publication of the Maryland Conservation Department’s Game Division, a predecessor of today’s Department of Natural Resources. The image was provided to the magazine “Compliments of Field & Stream,” with no artist listed. It appeared in the magazine’s first edition in January 1924 and for the last time in January 1947.
To bring the design into the 21st century and honor the country, DNR has added touches of red, white and blue. The card also includes the Maryland 250 logo and tagline, “Maryland’s Story is America’s Story.” The special edition card will only be available through the end of the year.
DNR introduced the new $10 durable hard cards for hunting, fishing and boating licenses last year as part of the transition to the MD Outdoors online license sales system. The cards provide an easy way for anglers, hunters and boaters to carry their license information in wallets, tackle boxes or on vessels.
Other designs available in the MD Outdoors store include hard cards featuring a blue crab, deer, waterfowl and a meandering river lined with trees displaying fall colors.
The special edition card celebrates Maryland’s rich outdoor heritage and connection to the nation’s history. The artwork reflects the state’s long tradition of conservation and appreciation for its natural resources.
For Southern Maryland residents in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties, the card offers a way to show pride in the region’s fishing, hunting and boating traditions. The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries have long been central to local outdoor recreation and economy.
The Maryland 250 commemoration highlights the state’s role in American history. The special license card connects that history to modern outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy the state’s natural resources today.
DNR encourages license holders to consider the commemorative card as a collectible item that supports the state’s outdoor traditions. The limited availability through the end of the year makes it a unique keepsake for 2026.
The hard cards are part of DNR’s efforts to modernize and improve the licensing experience for Maryland’s outdoor enthusiasts. The durable format provides a convenient alternative to paper licenses while celebrating the state’s heritage.
Anglers, hunters and boaters can purchase the special edition card through the MD Outdoors website. The platform also offers other commemorative designs and standard licenses.
The new card is expected to be popular among those who value Maryland’s outdoor history and want to support conservation efforts. Proceeds from license sales help fund DNR programs that protect and enhance the state’s natural resources.
As Maryland celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday, the special license card serves as a reminder of the state’s deep connection to its land, water and wildlife. The historic artwork brings a piece of Maryland’s conservation past into the present for today’s outdoor enthusiasts.
