Migratory Bird Hunting Laws in Maryland: Seasons, Permits, and Rules Every Hunter Must Know
October 18, 2026
Maryland sits squarely in the Atlantic Flyway, and that geography shapes nearly every rule a waterfowl or upland migratory bird hunter will encounter here. Before you load a shell or set a decoy spread on the Eastern Shore, you need to understand migratory bird hunting laws in Maryland — from which species are legal targets to how you tag and transport your harvest.
These regulations exist because migratory birds cross state and even national borders, which means Maryland’s rules work alongside federal law rather than replacing it. This guide walks through season dates, licensing, legal equipment, baiting restrictions, and the penalties you’ll face for getting it wrong.
Important Note: Migratory bird regulations are set annually and can change based on federal flyway council recommendations. Always verify current-year dates and bag limits directly with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources before heading afield.
Which Birds Count as Migratory Game Birds in Maryland
Not every bird you can legally shoot in Maryland falls under migratory bird law. The category specifically includes waterfowl, doves, woodcock, snipe, rails, and a handful of other species managed jointly by the state and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Ducks make up the largest share of harvest activity, and Maryland manages them by zone and species group. The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) is the most heavily hunted upland migratory species, prized for its fast, erratic flight pattern that makes wing-shooting genuinely challenging. Woodcock, sometimes called timberdoodles, are a secretive forest-dwelling species that migrate through Maryland’s wooded bottomlands each fall. Rails — sora and Virginia rail among them — inhabit the state’s tidal marshes and offer a niche hunting opportunity that few pursue compared to waterfowl. Wilson’s snipe round out the list, favoring wet fields and marsh edges.
Canada geese deserve a special note because Maryland manages two distinct populations differently: resident Canada geese (which nest locally) get an early September season, while migratory Atlantic Population Canada geese arriving from northern breeding grounds are hunted later in fall and winter. Light geese — snow geese and their relatives — get their own conservation order season designed to reduce overpopulation that’s damaging Arctic tundra breeding habitat.
If you’re also interested in waterfowl-specific rules, Maryland’s duck hunting laws go into more depth on species-specific identification and zone boundaries. Hunters who split time between upland and migratory pursuits should also review the state’s broader hunting laws in Maryland for licensing basics that apply across species.
Migratory Bird Hunting Season Dates in Maryland
Maryland’s migratory bird seasons open with mourning dove and early resident Canada goose hunting on September 1, kicking off what state wildlife officials describe as the start of fall migration opportunity. Wildlife and Heritage Director Karina Stonesifer noted that September marks the beginning of the fall migration period, bringing opportunities for hunters as seasons open for mourning doves and early resident Canada geese.
For the 2026-2027 season, dove hunting runs in three split segments: the first season runs Sept. 1 through Oct. 17 (with shooting hours for this segment limited to noon to sunset), the second season runs Oct. 24 through Nov. 27, and the third season runs Dec. 19 through Jan. 9, 2027. Woodcock hunters get two windows: a first season from Oct. 24 through Nov. 27, and a second season from Jan. 11 through 27, 2027.
Early resident Canada goose season splits by zone, with the Eastern zone running Sept. 1–15 and the Western zone running Sept. 1–25. The September teal season gives waterfowlers an early-fall opportunity before the regular duck season opens, running Sept. 17–26, with a daily bag limit of six teal.
Regular duck season (including coots) is split into three segments per zone. In the Eastern Zone, the regular duck season runs Oct. 10–17, 2026, Nov. 14–27, 2026, and Dec. 15, 2026–Jan. 30, 2027. The Western Zone opens slightly earlier in its first segment: Oct. 3–17, 2026, Nov. 21–27, 2026, and Dec. 15, 2026–Jan. 30, 2027.
Migratory Atlantic Population Canada goose season (distinct from the early resident season) runs Nov. 24–27, 2026 and Dec. 15, 2026–Jan. 30, 2027, with a daily bag limit of two and possession limit of six, followed by a late segment from Feb. 1–Mar. 10, 2027 with a daily bag limit of five and possession limit of 15.
| Species/Group | Season Segment Dates (2026-2027) | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | Sept. 1–Oct. 17; Oct. 24–Nov. 27; Dec. 19–Jan. 9, 2027 | 15 |
| Woodcock | Oct. 24–Nov. 27, 2026; Jan. 11–27, 2027 | 3 (per eRegulations listings) |
| September Teal | Sept. 17–26, 2026 | 6 |
| Early Resident Canada Goose (Eastern) | Sept. 1–15, 2026 | 8 |
| Early Resident Canada Goose (Western) | Sept. 1–25, 2026 | 8 |
| Ducks, Eastern Zone | Oct. 10–17; Nov. 14–27, 2026; Dec. 15, 2026–Jan. 30, 2027 | 6 (overall species limits apply) |
| Ducks, Western Zone | Oct. 3–17; Nov. 21–27, 2026; Dec. 15, 2026–Jan. 30, 2027 | 6 (overall species limits apply) |
| Migratory Canada Goose (AP) | Nov. 24–27, 2026; Dec. 15, 2026–Jan. 30, 2027; Feb. 1–Mar. 10, 2027 | 2 (early), 5 (late) |
| Rails (sora, Virginia) | Sept. 1–Nov. 20, 2026 | 25 aggregate (per some listings) |
Shooting hours matter as much as calendar dates. Unless otherwise noted, official shooting hours begin 30 minutes before sunrise and end at sunset for all early migratory game bird hunting seasons. The September teal season follows the same pattern, running a half-hour before sunrise to sunset, while early Canada goose hunters get extended shooting hours running a half-hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset.
Pro Tip: Note that the first dove season segment runs on restricted shooting hours (noon to sunset) rather than the standard half-hour-before-sunrise start — a detail that trips up hunters used to the usual early-morning opener.
One rule applies across every migratory bird season in Maryland regardless of species or zone: migratory game birds may not be hunted on Sundays. This blue-law holdover affects weekend planning more than almost any other single regulation, so build it into your hunting calendar from the start. These dates were still pending final federal sign-off as of mid-2026, since zone lines and federal approval matter, as Maryland’s posted 2026–2027 migratory bird dates were marked contingent on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval.
License, Stamp and HIP Requirements for Migratory Bird Hunting in Maryland
Licensing migratory bird hunting in Maryland involves more layers than general small-game hunting, and missing just one stamp can turn a legal hunt into a citation. A hunting license is required to hunt migratory game birds (with exceptions), and a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp printed validation is required of all hunters to hunt all migratory game birds in Maryland.
Even landowners who are otherwise exempt from needing a general hunting license still need the migratory bird stamp. All migratory bird hunters, including landowners who are license-exempt, must purchase a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp/Harvest Information Program Permit and possess the printed receipt while hunting.
Pricing breaks down as follows, based on current fee listings:
- Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp/HIP Permit: $15, required of all hunters to hunt all migratory game birds in Maryland
- Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp): required of all hunters 16 years of age or older to hunt brant, coots, ducks and geese, priced around $25 through the official Duck Stamp store or roughly $29 through Maryland licensing vendors
- Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification: free, and bundled into the stamp purchase process for most hunters
The stamp itself no longer exists as a physical sticker for most hunters. The Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp now consists of a printed validation on your hunting license that serves as proof of purchase, and hunters must possess this validation while hunting migratory game birds. The same applies to the federal side: an E-Stamp may be purchased online through MD Outdoors, any Licensing and Registration Service Center, or a Sport License agent, and hunters receive a printed validation showing proof of purchase.
Key Insight: A resident hunting license alone does not cover everything. It allows you to hunt or trap all legal game birds and mammals in season without additional stamps or permits except deer during bow or muzzleloader season, rails, coots, snipe, woodcock, furbearing mammals, and black bear — anyone hunting migratory game birds needs a license showing purchase of the Migratory Game Bird Stamp.
Light goose hunters face an additional layer during the conservation order season. A $5 Maryland Snow Goose Conservation Order Hunting Season Permit is required to participate in the Light Goose Conservation Order Season, and hunters must possess the printed validation showing proof of purchase of this permit while hunting. Notably, a Federal Duck Stamp is not required when hunting during the Conservation Order Season.
Hunters pursuing other species alongside migratory birds should also check Maryland’s bow hunting laws or coyote hunting regulations, since license requirements and seasons often overlap for hunters pursuing multiple game categories in the same trip.
Legal Hunting Methods and Equipment for Migratory Birds in Maryland
Federal regulations define what counts as a legal method of take for migratory birds, and Maryland enforces these alongside its own state-specific additions. The list of prohibited equipment is long and specific. It is illegal to take migratory game birds with air guns shooting bullets, drugs, explosives, traps, fish hooks, nets, pistols, poisons, rifles, snares, stupefying substances or swivel guns.
Shotgun specifications also matter. Federal rules prohibit a shotgun larger than 10 gauge, punt gun, or battery gun, and shotguns used for most migratory bird species must be plugged to hold no more than three shells total, though Maryland makes a seasonal exception: for early Canada goose season, hunters are allowed to use shotguns capable of holding more than three shells.
Non-toxic shot requirements apply specifically to waterfowl and coots. Non-toxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl and coots, and hunters may not use or possess nontoxic shot larger than size number T (0.20 inches in diameter) or use or possess any lead shot while hunting waterfowl and coots. Approved materials go beyond plain steel: the only shot approved as non-toxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is bismuth shot, tungsten-nickel-iron (Hevi-shot), steel shot, tungsten-iron shot, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix, and tin and copper-, nickel-, or zinc-plated steel shot where the plating represents less than 1% of the shot’s weight. Lead-plated shot does not qualify under any circumstance. Lead shot plated with copper, nickel, or other material does not qualify.
Several methods tied to motorized equipment or electronic calls are also banned. Hunters cannot use any motor-driven land, water, or air conveyance, or any sailboat, for the purpose of or resulting in concentrating, driving, rallying, or stirring up any migratory bird. Electronic calling devices are restricted statewide: it is unlawful in Maryland to hunt or attempt to hunt waterfowl while in possession of any electronic device by which bird calls are conveyed or amplified, with an exception for electronic calls of light geese during the Light Goose Conservation Order Season.
Live decoys are also off the table entirely. Federal rules prohibit using live birds as decoys, and hunting from a sink box or similarly concealing floating device is likewise banned. If you’re new to firearms-based hunting and want background on legal weapon categories across game types, Maryland’s bow hunting regulations offer a useful comparison point, even though archery equipment isn’t typically used for migratory birds.
Baiting Laws for Migratory Bird Hunting in Maryland
Baiting rules trip up more hunters than almost any other regulation in this category, partly because the definition of a “baited area” extends well beyond the act of actively scattering corn or grain. A baited area means any area on which salt, grain, or other feed has been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered, if that feed could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on, or over areas where hunters are attempting to take them — and any such area remains a baited area for ten days following the complete removal of all such feed.
That ten-day carryover period is the detail hunters most often overlook. Clearing visible grain from a field the morning of your hunt does not make it legal to hunt there if feed was present within the prior ten days. The baiting prohibition itself is broad: you may not hunt by the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area.
Maryland does carve out a narrow agricultural exception that mirrors federal code. The taking of any migratory game bird, except waterfowl, coots and cranes, is permitted on or over lands that are not otherwise baited areas, where grain or other feed has been distributed or scattered solely as the result of manipulation of an agricultural crop or other feed on the land where grown, or solely as the result of a normal agricultural operation. In other words, hunting a dove field that was legitimately harvested or disked as part of normal farming is different from a field where someone scattered extra grain specifically to attract birds.
Maryland tightens the rule further for top-sown seed. It is unlawful to hunt migratory game birds in areas where seeds or small grains have been top sown or broadcast in a way that functions as a lure. State-owned land adds another layer entirely — regardless of species or exception: it is illegal to place bait for hunting on state lands.
Common Mistake: Assuming a field is “clean” because no grain is visible on the surface. If feed was present and removed within the last ten days, or if seed was broadcast rather than resulting from standard farming practice, the area can still legally qualify as baited.
Because baiting investigations often hinge on field history that hunters can’t verify by sight alone, many waterfowlers in Maryland lease or scout fields well in advance and ask landowners directly about any supplemental feeding, fertilizing, or seeding activity. If you’re comparing baiting standards across states — useful if you hunt multiple flyways — Maryland’s duck hunting laws page and comparable guides like North Carolina’s duck hunting rules or Georgia’s duck hunting regulations show how similar the federal baiting framework stays from state to state, even when season structures differ.
Tagging, Transport and Possession Rules for Migratory Birds in Maryland
Possession limits and tagging requirements govern what happens after the shot, and Maryland enforces both carefully, particularly around identification of species and quantity in the field. The field possession limit is the one daily bag limit you may possess while in the field or returning from the field to your principal means of land transportation, hunting camp, or personal abode, while the possession limit is the maximum number of migratory game birds of a single species or combination of species permitted to be possessed by any one person.
Retrieval obligations are not optional. A person may not kill or wound any migratory game bird without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the bird and include it in the daily bag limit, and wounded birds reduced to possession must immediately be killed and included in your daily bag limit.
Field dressing rules are stricter than many hunters expect. It is unlawful to completely field dress or breast-out any migratory game bird, except dove, before transporting the birds from the field — the head or one fully-feathered wing must remain attached to all birds except doves while being transported from the field until they have arrived at your personal abode or a migratory bird processing facility. This rule exists so conservation officers can identify species and verify compliance with bag limits at any point during transport, not just at the point of harvest.
Tagging becomes mandatory the moment you hand birds to someone else, even temporarily. If you are giving, putting, or leaving migratory game birds at any place or in the possession of another person, you must tag each bird with the hunter’s signature, address, hunting license number or DNRid number, the total number and species of birds killed, and dates the birds were killed — tagging is required even if someone else is transporting the bird for you or the bird has been left for cleaning, storage, shipment, or taxidermy services.
- Keep identifying feathers attached — leave the head or one fully-feathered wing on every bird except dove until you reach home or a processing facility.
- Tag before you transfer — write your signature, address, license number, species, count, and harvest date on a tag before leaving birds with a processor, taxidermist, or another hunter.
- Track your possession limit continuously — remember the field possession limit applies the moment you leave the hunting area, not just at season’s end.
- Label shipped packages correctly — if you ship tagged birds, the package must be marked with sender and recipient names, addresses, and the species/count inside.
Shipping adds one more layer of paperwork. To ship tagged migratory game birds, the package must be conspicuously marked on the outside with the name and address of the person sending the birds, the name and address of the person to whom the birds are being sent, and the number of birds by species contained in the package.
Carrying ID is non-negotiable too. A hunter must carry personal photo identification, such as a driver’s license, or a secondary form of identification while hunting. If you’re hunting private land for migratory birds, written landowner permission is required just as it is for any other species: written permission is required to hunt on private land.
Penalties for Migratory Bird Hunting Violations in Maryland
Migratory bird violations in Maryland are prosecuted under both state natural resources law and federal statute, since the Migratory Bird Treaty Act gives federal wildlife officers concurrent jurisdiction over hunting these species anywhere in the country. That dual authority means a single violation — hunting over bait, for example — can trigger citations from Maryland Natural Resources Police as well as potential federal charges from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Common violations that draw enforcement attention include hunting without the required Migratory Game Bird Stamp or HIP certification, hunting over a baited area, possessing lead or oversized nontoxic shot while waterfowl hunting, exceeding daily bag or possession limits, and failing to leave identifying feathers attached during transport. Each of these ties back to the specific requirements covered earlier in this guide, and ignorance of a rule is not typically accepted as a defense in wildlife court.
Important Note: Penalty structures and fine amounts for wildlife violations can change through legislative session and are set case-by-case based on factors like prior offenses and severity. Contact Maryland Natural Resources Police or consult the Maryland Department of Natural Resources directly for current penalty schedules before assuming any specific fine amount applies to your situation.
Beyond fines, consequences for migratory bird violations can include license suspension or revocation, seizure of firearms and equipment used in the violation, and loss of hunting privileges across state lines through reciprocal wildlife violator compact agreements that many states, including Maryland, participate in. Repeat offenses and cases involving large-scale baiting operations or significant bag limit violations tend to draw harsher penalties and are more likely to involve federal prosecution rather than state-level citations alone.
Given the complexity of overlapping state and federal rules, hunters who regularly pursue waterfowl across multiple states should build a habit of checking both the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hunting guide and federal regulations each season, since bag limits, zone boundaries, and even legal shooting hours can shift from year to year based on flyway council recommendations. For hunters exploring regulations in other states, comparing frameworks like Florida’s duck hunting laws or Washington’s duck hunting regulations can highlight how much of the underlying federal structure — HIP certification, non-toxic shot, baiting prohibitions — stays consistent nationwide even as season dates and zone maps differ.