Planning a Maryland Pheasant Hunt This Winter? The Birds Are Stocked, Not Wild
November 9, 2026
Pheasant hunting season in Maryland 2026-27 opens November 7, 2026, and runs through February 28, 2027. That is nearly four months of legal hunting, but there is a catch: Maryland’s DNR has said plainly that sustainable wild pheasant populations no longer exist in the state.
So the birds you chase are released or escaped ones, and your best chances come from knowing where and when stocking happens. This article covers the season dates, bag limits, Sunday rules, blaze orange, public land options, and the special stocked hunts offered in November.
If you hunt other game here too, our guides to dove hunting season in Maryland and turkey hunting season in Maryland pair well with this one.
Pheasant Hunting Season Dates in Maryland 2026-27
The statewide pheasant season runs from November 7, 2026 through February 28, 2027, and it applies to all counties. There is no zone split, so you can hunt the same dates in Garrett County as you can on the Eastern Shore.
Maryland also sets a separate falconry season. Falconers can fly at pheasant under their own dates and limits, and they need a falconry permit on top of their regular licenses.
| Season | Dates | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Regular pheasant season | Nov. 7, 2026 to Feb. 28, 2027 | All counties |
| Stocked youth and new-hunter hunts | Nov. 21 and 22, 2026 | Select public lands |
Youth Pheasant Hunting Season in Maryland
Maryland does not run a separate youth-only pheasant season, but it does offer something arguably better for beginners. According to the Mentored Hunt Program listing, the pheasant hunts take place on public lands across the state on November 21 and 22, 2026.
These hunts are aimed at apprentice license holders, junior hunters, and other newcomers, with a reservation or application step. Last year’s version of the program followed the same pattern, with stocked hunts on public lands the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Pro Tip: Apply as early as the DNR opens the Mentored Hunt Program. These events fill because stocked birds and mentors are limited.
Pheasant Season Zones, Regions and Counties in Maryland
You do not have to learn zone lines for pheasant. The season dates, bag limit, and possession limit are the same in every county.
Counties matter in other ways, though. Sunday hunting is open only in certain counties, and public land access varies by tract. Those differences are covered in the Sunday section below.
Pheasant Hunting License, Stamp and Permit Requirements in Maryland
You need a valid Maryland hunting license to take pheasant, plus any other credentials Maryland requires for your hunter category. The DNR’s Hunting Seasons Calendar is the official source for each season’s rules and the place to confirm current license details.
Falconers need a falconry permit in addition to their licenses. Hunters who join a managed public-land pheasant hunt may also need to apply through the DNR for a spot.
Fees change from year to year, so check the DNR’s license page before you buy rather than relying on a number you saw last season.
Nonresident Pheasant Hunting in Maryland
Out-of-state hunters can pursue pheasant in Maryland under the same season dates and bag limits as residents. The difference is the license: nonresidents buy a nonresident hunting license through the DNR.
If you are driving in from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, or West Virginia, plan around public land tracts and private permission instead of expecting open habitat. Our guides to Pennsylvania and Delaware seasons help if you hunt across state lines.
Pheasant Bag and Possession Limits in Maryland
The limit is 2 pheasants per day, either sex, with 4 in possession. That limit applies in all counties for the whole season.
The bag has been two birds since the DNR proposed raising it from one male in its 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 regulation cycle. The DNR’s stated reasoning was to simplify the hunting of released or escaped birds.
| Hunter Type | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Standard hunter | 2, either sex | 4 |
| Falconer (per the DNR’s proposed 2026-27 table) | 2, either sex | See DNR calendar |
Rooster-Only and Hen Rules for Pheasant Hunting in Maryland
Maryland has no rooster-only rule. Your two daily birds can be roosters, hens, or one of each.
That is a real contrast with the Midwest, where roosters-only is common to protect breeding hens. Here, wild reproduction is not what drives the limits, so hens are fair game.
Pheasant Shooting Hours in Maryland
On Monday through Saturday, small game shooting hours follow the standard Maryland small game schedule, which begins one-half hour before sunrise. Check the DNR calendar for the exact closing time on your hunt date, since it moves with daylight.
Sunday hours are different in some counties. In Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties, Sunday hunting ends at 10:30 am.
Legal Weapons, Shot Size and Methods for Pheasant in Maryland
Most pheasant hunters use a shotgun, and that is the practical choice for flushing birds over dogs. Maryland’s DNR guide governs the details of legal firearms, shot, and methods for small game, so read the upland section of the current Guide to Hunting and Trapping before opening day.
Because pheasant often hold on private or managed land, you also need to know the property’s own rules. Some stocked-hunt sites and clubs set their own shot requirements on top of state law.
Pro Tip: Confirm shot type with the landowner or hunt manager. Public areas that restrict lead shot for doves may have different rules for upland birds, and it is easier to ask than to guess.
Blaze Orange and Safety Rules for Pheasant Hunters in Maryland
Maryland generally requires hunters to wear fluorescent orange or pink. According to Hunter-Ed.com, hunters and companions must wear a solid blaze orange hat or a vest or jacket with at least 250 square inches of blaze orange or pink on the front and back.
An outer garment that is at least 50% hunter orange can substitute for the vest. Exceptions exist for certain hunts, so check the DNR guide for your situation.
- Wear orange or pink on every upland trip, not just during deer firearms season.
- Put an orange vest or bandana on your dog if it ranges out of sight.
- Tell someone your hunting area and expected return time.
Wild vs. Stocked Pheasants in Maryland
This is the section that changes how you plan. The DNR’s regulation proposal documents say sustainable wild-reproducing pheasant populations no longer exist in Maryland, and that pheasant have not been found in huntable numbers for at least 15 years as of that document.
The birds you find are released for hunting and dog training or have escaped from those releases. That means success depends on where birds are put out, not on classic wild habitat.
Think of it as put-and-take hunting. Treat it like a managed, planned outing, and your expectations will match the reality.
Where to Hunt Pheasants in Maryland: Public Land and Walk-In Access
Your most reliable public option is the DNR’s stocked pheasant hunts, which run on public lands across the state on November 21 and 22, 2026. Beyond those events, Maryland’s wildlife management areas and state forests are open to small game hunting under their own rules.
The DNR’s Free Public Hunting Permit Program document notes that pheasant hunting without lottery authorization is prohibited in designated areas during the special pheasant hunt. That means you should check whether your chosen tract is closed to non-participants on event days.
Maryland does not run a large walk-in access program like Plains states do. Look to WMAs, state forests, and hunt clubs instead.
Hunting Pheasants on Private Land in Maryland
Private land is where many Maryland pheasant hunters spend their season, usually at licensed shooting preserves or on farms with permission. One rule is firm: Maryland requires written permission to hunt or trap on private property.
Carry that written permission with you in the field. A text message is not a substitute for what the DNR describes, so ask the landowner for a signed note.
Pheasant Population Outlook in Maryland This Season
Expect low numbers of birds outside stocked sites. Project Upland reports that ruffed grouse, pheasant, and bobwhite quail populations have drastically declined over several decades.
The better question for 2026-27 is where and when birds will be released. DNR stocked hunts on November 21 and 22 are the clearest scheduled opportunity, and shooting preserves can offer more flexible dates through the winter.
Best Time to Hunt Pheasants in Maryland
For public land, the best window is the stocked-hunt weekend of November 21 and 22, when birds are put out on purpose. For the rest of the season, early morning hunts after opening week often have lighter pressure.
Late-season hunting from December through February can be productive on preserves, where birds are stocked on a schedule. Cold, calm days help dogs hold scent.
| Window | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Nov. 7 opener | Season opens statewide; pressure is highest |
| Nov. 21 to 22 | DNR stocked public-land hunts for new, lapsed, and youth hunters |
| Dec. through Feb. | Lower pressure; best on preserves and private land with permission |
Hunting Pheasants with Dogs in Maryland
Dogs matter more in a stocked-bird setting than most hunters expect. Released pheasants run and hold in cover, and a pointer or flushing breed gets you shots you would otherwise miss.
The DNR notes that pheasants are released for hunting and dog training purposes, so training areas and preserves are often busy. Keep your dog under control, wear orange on both of you, and ask landowners about their dog policies before you arrive.
Sunday Pheasant Hunting in Maryland
Pheasants can be hunted on Sundays in Maryland during the regular season, but only in certain counties and locations. The DNR’s Sunday small game chart lists the species that qualify: rabbits, squirrels, quail, ruffed grouse, and pheasants.
- Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington: Private and designated public lands, with the same shooting hours as Monday through Saturday.
- Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot: Private lands only, from one-half hour before sunrise until 10:30 am.
- Somerset: Private lands and public land leased to a hunt club only, with the same 10:30 am Sunday cutoff.
Counties not listed are closed to Sunday small game hunting. See the Maryland eRegulations small game page for the designated public tracts in each county.
Tagging, Transporting and Possessing Pheasants in Maryland
Maryland does not require a harvest tag for pheasant. You do need to stay within the 4-bird possession limit, which counts birds in your vehicle, freezer, or camp.
When you transport birds, keep them in a condition that lets a game warden identify the species. If you give birds to a friend, keep a note of the date and your name in case you are asked.
Planning a larger Maryland hunting year? Our guides to West Virginia and North Carolina seasons cover neighboring options.
Pheasant Hunting Season in Maryland 2026-27: Frequently Asked Questions
When does pheasant season open in Maryland in 2026-27?
It opens November 7, 2026, and closes February 28, 2027, in all counties.
How many pheasants can I take per day?
You can take 2 per day, either sex, with 4 in possession.
Are there wild pheasants in Maryland?
No sustainable wild population exists, according to the DNR. Birds are released or escaped from releases.
Can I hunt pheasant on Sunday?
Yes, in certain counties and on certain lands only. Check the Sunday small game chart before you go.
Do I need written permission on private land?
Yes. Maryland requires written permission to hunt or trap on private property.
Is there a youth pheasant hunt?
The DNR runs stocked public-land hunts on November 21 and 22, 2026, through its Mentored Hunt Program, for apprentice, junior, and new hunters.
Pheasant season in Maryland is short on wild birds but long on calendar. Mark November 7 for the opener, November 21 and 22 for the stocked public hunts, and pack your orange, written permission, and a good dog. Bookmark the DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar and check it once more before you head out.