Maryland’s 2026-2027 migratory game bird hunting seasons kick off Sept. 1, with the Department of Natural Resources opening the year’s first opportunities for mourning dove and early resident Canada goose hunters.
“September marks the beginning of the fall migration period, and with that comes opportunities for hunters as seasons open for mourning doves and early resident Canada geese,” said Wildlife and Heritage Director Karina Stonesifer. “The department encourages experienced hunters to share their experience with a novice hunter, so more people can experience all that Maryland’s outdoors has to offer.”
Dove season runs in three segments: Sept. 1 through Oct. 17 (with shooting hours limited to noon until sunset for this stretch only), Oct. 24 through Nov. 27, and Dec. 19 through Jan. 9, 2027. DNR maintains a list of public dove hunting fields on its website. Woodcock season also splits into two parts, Oct. 24 through Nov. 27 and Jan. 11 through 27, 2027.
Early resident Canada goose season runs Sept. 1–15 in the Eastern zone and Sept. 1–25 in the Western zone, with a daily bag limit of 15 birds in both zones — notably higher than the limit hunters will see once the regular season opens Dec. 1 with three birds a day in the Eastern zone and two in the Western zone, running through Feb. 15, 2027. During the early season, hunters may use shotguns capable of holding more than three shells, and shooting hours extend to a half-hour before sunrise through a half-hour after sunset. September teal season runs Sept. 17–26, also with extended shooting hours, and a daily bag limit of six.
Unless otherwise noted, shooting hours for the early seasons run 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset, and migratory birds cannot be hunted on Sundays anywhere in Maryland. This year’s dates are largely consistent with last season’s calendar, shifting only slightly to align with the day of the week.
All migratory bird hunters, including license-exempt landowners, must purchase a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp/Harvest Information Program Permit, which runs about $15, and carry a printed receipt while hunting. Waterfowl hunters 16 and older also need a printed receipt for the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the federal duck stamp, which costs about $29. Licenses, permits, and stamps are available online, by phone at 855-855-3906, at DNR service centers, or through any of the state’s 250 sport license agents.
Hunters who harvest a banded bird are encouraged to report it online; doing so earns a certificate of appreciation detailing the bird’s known biological history. An interactive map of Maryland’s waterfowl hunting zones is available on the DNR website, and questions can be directed to the department at 410-260-8540.
