Maryland’s archery deer season opens Sept. 11 — six days later than last year’s start — kicking off a hunting calendar that runs through Jan. 31, 2027, with breaks for muzzleloader and firearms seasons in between.
“Fall is right around the corner and with it comes a new season for Maryland hunters,” said Karina Stonesifer, director of the Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Heritage Service. “Archery season gives Maryland deer hunters the chance to get afield early, harvest a deer, and take an active, vital role in deer management and wildlife conservation.”
Archery runs in stretches: Sept. 11 through Oct. 21, Oct. 25 through Nov. 27, Dec. 14-18, Jan. 3-7, Jan. 8-10 in Region A only, and Jan. 11-31. Muzzleloader season falls Oct. 22-24 and Dec. 19-Jan. 2, with an antlerless-only muzzleloader stretch in Region B from Oct. 26-31. Firearms season runs Nov. 28-Dec. 12, plus Jan. 8-10 in Region B only. A seventh annual Primitive Deer Hunt Days, for hunters using vertical longbows and recurve bows, runs Feb. 1-3, 2027.
Bag limits vary by region. Region A — Allegany, Garrett, and western Washington County — allows up to two antlerless white-tailed deer during archery season, capped at two total across all weapon seasons combined and one per day, with one additional antlerless deer allowed during Primitive Deer Hunt Days. In the rest of the state, Region B, the antlerless archery limit is 15 — except in the Urban/Suburban Deer Management Zone covering Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties, where the archery antlerless limit remains unlimited, continuing a policy from prior seasons rather than a new change this year.
The statewide antlered limit is two deer, no more than one per weapon season, though a Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp allows a hunter to take a second antlered deer in the same season or a third in a season where they haven’t yet taken one — with Region A still capped at two total and one per season regardless of the stamp. An antler-point restriction remains in place, requiring most antlered deer beyond the first to have at least three points on one antler; junior and apprentice license holders 16 and younger are exempt. Sika deer hunters need a separate sika stamp on top of the archery stamp; the sika archery bag limit is three, with no more than one antlered.
New this year, DNR has established formal drone regulations for hunters: using a drone to locate or recover wounded or expired game remains legal, but using one to hunt, trap, or pursue wildlife is illegal. Hunters are required to contact Natural Resources Police before and after using a drone to search for a wounded or expired animal.
DNR also renewed its standard tree stand safety guidance, recommending hunters inspect stands carefully, wear a full-body harness at all times in or climbing to and from a stand, and use a sliding “prusik” knot tethered above the stand for continuous fall protection. Licenses and stamps can be purchased through the MD Outdoors app or website, at a licensing agent, or by phone at 866-344-8889. Hunters are also encouraged to donate harvested deer to food banks, with a state tax credit available as an incentive.
