ANNAPOLIS — Southern Maryland’s young hunters, veterans and active-duty service members get two days on the water to themselves this season. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has set aside Saturday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027, as special waterfowl hunting days for those groups, the department announced.
On those days, eligible hunters may take ducks, geese and coots on both designated public land and private land. The state ran the same two-day format last season, the Chronicle reported.
Who can hunt
- Hunters 16 or younger.
- Military veterans of any age, as defined in Section 101 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code.
- Members of the armed forces on active duty, including National Guard and Reserve members on active duty other than for training.
Youth hunters must be accompanied by an unarmed adult at least 21 years old, or by eligible military personnel who are also taking part in the hunt. That makes the days a natural fit for Southern Maryland’s military families, many tied to Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Joint Base Andrews.
Licenses and stamps
All eligible hunters and adult mentors need a Maryland hunting license unless they are exempt. Any adult who hunts must buy both a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp and a Federal Duck Stamp. Youth hunters, including those with an apprentice license, need the Maryland stamp but do not need the federal stamp if they are under 16.
Licenses, stamps and permits are sold online, by phone at 855-855-3906, at DNR service centers and at more than 250 sport license agents statewide.
Bag limits
Bag limits match the regular seasons, with these exceptions, according to DNR:
- Two black ducks.
- Two scaup.
- Two Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Canada Goose Hunting Zone.
- Five Canada geese in the Late Southern and Western Maryland Resident Goose Zones.
Hunters should check which goose zone they are in before heading out, since the limit more than doubles between zones.
Where to go
Public hunting lands and wildlife management areas are listed on pages 60 to 63 of the 2026-27 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping. Closer to home, the state manages wildlife management areas in Charles County, including Chicamuxen and Myrtle Grove; check each area’s rules before hunting.
Newcomers can learn more at a DNR hunting outreach event, through an apprentice hunting license or by taking a hunter education course, listed statewide on the DNR website. Questions go to the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service at 410-260-8540.
