CNB HUNTING NEWS: MARYLAND WHITE TALE DEER SEASONS
Thursday, August 24, 2023
2023-2024 White-tailed Deer Seasons and Bag Limits Antlered Deer – Statewide
Definition: An antlered white-tailed deer is a deer with two or more points to one antler, or a deer with at least one antler three or more inches long, measuring from the top of the skull as the deer is in life.
Antler Point Restriction: Deer hunters may harvest one antlered deer during a license year within the established statewide bag limit (including bonus antlered deer) that does not meet the requirement of having at least three points on one antler. Any remaining antlered deer taken within the established bag limit must have at least three points on one antler. Antlered deer can be taken in any order. Junior hunters (16 years old or younger) and apprentice license holders are exempt from the three antler point requirement.
1The statewide antlered white-tailed deer regular bag limit is two deer total, no more than one in any weapon season. A third antlered whitetail may be taken in Region B only with the purchase of a Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp. In Region B, hunters must use a Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp in order to take a second antlered whitetail in one weapon season or, if the hunter has already taken an antlered whitetail in two weapon seasons under the regular bag limit, they may use the bonus stamp to take an antlered whitetail in the remaining weapon season.
If a hunter harvests an antlered whitetail in Region B first, they may use the Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp in Region A to take another antlered deer in the same weapon season. Hunters may not take more than two antlered whitetails total, or more than one antlered whitetail in any weapon season, while hunting in Region A.
The Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp cannot be used the same day that a hunter harvests an antlered whitetail under the regular statewide bag limit (daily antlered bag limit of one).
2023-2024 White-tailed Deer Seasons and Bag Limits
Definition: An antlerless white-tailed measuring from the top of the skull as
Antlerless Deer – Region A Allegany, Garrett & Washington (Zone 2) counties
deer is a female deer or male deer with no antlers or spike antlers less than three inches in length, the deer is in life.
Season
Dates
Weapon Bag Limit
Total Combined Bag Limit
2 Antlerless1
Notes
Archery
Sep 8 – Oct 18 Oct 22 – Nov 24 Dec 11 – Dec 15 Dec 31 – Jan 31
1 Antlerless
Fluorescent orange or pink requirement: Archery hunters are required to wear fluorescent orange or pink when the Deer Muzzleloader Season, Deer Firearm Season or Junior Deer Hunt is open in the deer management region where they are hunting. Archery hunters in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties are required to wear fluorescent orange or pink when the Black Bear Season is open.
Sunday deer hunting: Archery season dates include certain Sundays in select counties. See chart.
Muzzleloader DNR Public Lands2
Muzzleloader All Other Lands
Firearm DNR Public Lands2
Firearm
All Other Lands
Oct 19 – Oct 21
Dec 30
Oct 19 – Oct 21
Dec 28 – Dec 30
Dec 2 Dec 9
Dec 2 Dec 8 – Dec 9
1 Antlerless
1 Antlerless
Region A muzzleloader bag limit: Only 1 deer total (antlered or antlerless) may be taken in Region A during the October 19 – 21, 2023 muzzleloader season.
|
Primitive Hunt Days (See Notes) |
Feb 1 – 3 |
1 Antlerless |
1 Antlerless1 |
Primitive Hunt Days: Hunters may use long bows, recurve bows, flintlock, or sidelock percussion muzzleloaders during these days. The use of telescopic or modern optics is prohibited. An antlerless deer taken during these days does not count against the hunter’s regular Region A antlerless bag limit. Fluorescent orange or pink requirement: All Primitive Days hunters must wear fluorescent orange or pink. |
1No more than two antlerless deer total can be taken in Region A per license year during the Archery, Muzzleloader, and Firearm seasons combined. A third antlerless deer may be harvested during the designated Primitive Season.
2Region A DNR public lands include: Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA, Cunningham Swamp WMA, Dan’s Mountain WMA, Deep Creek Lake State Park (Designated Areas Only), Garrett State Forest, Green Ridge State Forest, Indian Springs WMA, McCoole FMA, Mount Nebo WMA, Potomac State Forest, Prather’s Neck WMA, Rocky Gap State Park (Designated Areas Only), Savage River State Forest, Sideling Hill WMA, Warrior Mountain WMA, Wolf Den Run State Park, Woodmont NRMA, Youghiogheny Reservoir CWMA and Youghiogheny Scenic Wild River NEA.
2023-2024 White-tailed Deer Seasons and Bag Limits
Antlerless Deer – Region B
Anne Arundel1, Baltimore1, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Howard1, Kent, Montgomery1, Prince George’s1, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington (Zone 1), Wicomico & Worcester counties
Definition: An antlerless white-tailed deer is a female deer or male deer with no antlers or spike antlers less than three inches in length, measuring from the top of the skull as the deer is in life.