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Planning Updated Jan 29, 2026

Maryland Deer Rifle/Firearm Season 2025, 2026

Rifle/Firearm deer hunting dates for Maryland.

Recorded dates, not hunting permission

Status assessment: 2026-10-14 UTC (static build snapshot). Static activity badges and day counts use this build assessment, not a live check. Interactive finder results show their own UTC assessment day.

1 of 2 recorded windows have date-review evidence. Other rows remain unverified. Historical records are retained and are not a current-season promise.

Check your current agency regulations, GMU or zone, hunt code, license and access restrictions before hunting. An agency link or successful publication fetch does not verify a row. Reviewed base dates do not cover every license-specific exception.

Date evidence: Official date source. Review dates apply only to the stated row scope, not an entire state or current license eligibility.

Maryland Deer Rifle/Firearm Season

Find rifle deer hunting season dates for Maryland. Plan your 2025, 2026 rifle hunt with dates, zones, and equipment requirements.

2 rifle seasons 1 recorded scope 2025, 2026 Rifle/Firearm

Rifle/Firearm Season Coming Soon

1 rifle season opening within 60 days

Garrett County RegionA — private-land antlered white-tailed deer

Nov 28 - Dec 12, 2026

45d away

Actual publisher-linked2026–27 LR7 guide, printed20/PDF22, lists antlered firearms Nov28–Dec12. Printed18/PDF20 places Garrett in RegionA; printed24/PDF26 opens private-land firearms on Sundays Nov29 and Dec6 in Garrett. This is private-land antlered base dates only. Printed19/PDF21 permits legal rifles in Garrett; printed30/PDF32 requires rifles smaller than .30 caliber to develop at least1,200 foot-pounds muzzle energy, while .30 caliber and larger have no minimum muzzle energy requirement. Check current license/permit or exemptions, antler-point/bag limits, ammunition, fluorescent clothing, hours, tagging/reporting, CWD, permission/access and closures; not individual permission. Jan8–10 RegionB extension, antlerless, sika, public-land/managed hunts and other dates are excluded. Government calendar403 remains a source gap; current linked LR7 is used, not older search-listed LR2.

Rifle/Firearm Deer Season Dates

2 rifle seasons in Maryland

Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Nov 28 - Dec 12, 2026

Date window reviewed 2026-10-09; verify license-specific exceptions

Official date source
Garrett County RegionA — private-land antlered white-tailed deer Upcoming Actual publisher-linked2026–27 LR7 guide, printed20/PDF22, lists antlered firearms Nov28–Dec12. Printed18/PDF20 places Garrett in RegionA; printed24/PDF26 opens private-land firearms on Sundays Nov29 and Dec6 in Garrett. This is private-land antlered base dates only. Printed19/PDF21 permits legal rifles in Garrett; printed30/PDF32 requires rifles smaller than .30 caliber to develop at least1,200 foot-pounds muzzle energy, while .30 caliber and larger have no minimum muzzle energy requirement. Check current license/permit or exemptions, antler-point/bag limits, ammunition, fluorescent clothing, hours, tagging/reporting, CWD, permission/access and closures; not individual permission. Jan8–10 RegionB extension, antlerless, sika, public-land/managed hunts and other dates are excluded. Government calendar403 remains a source gap; current linked LR7 is used, not older search-listed LR2.
Nov 29 - Dec 13, 2025

Unverified date record; agency review required

Zone not recorded Historical record Firearms season

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Zone-Specific Rifle/Firearm Dates

Maryland has different rifle deer dates by zone. Zones include: Garrett County RegionA — private-land antlered white-tailed deer. Check official state regulations for zone boundaries.

Important Note for Maryland

Only Garrett County RegionA private-land antlered white-tailed deer firearms base dates were reviewed from actual linked2026–27 LR7 guide, including its Nov29 and Dec6 private-land Sundays. No RegionB January extension, antlerless/sika/public/managed or other hunt coverage is verified. Check current license/permits, antler-point/bag, rifle/ammunition, clothing/hours, reporting, CWD, access/permission and closures. Historical rows/license-year metadata remain unverified; government calendar403 is an explicit source gap.

Maryland Deer Rifle/Firearm Hunting FAQ

Common questions about rifle deer hunting in Maryland

When does rifle deer season start in Maryland?

Recorded windows, not one continuous season: 2026-11-28 to 2026-12-12; 2025-11-29 to 2025-12-13. Historical and unverified records may be included. Check each row's evidence and your current GMU/hunt code and license before hunting.

What caliber rifles are legal for deer in Maryland?

Maryland has minimum caliber and cartridge requirements for deer hunting. Common requirements include minimum bullet diameter and energy specifications. Verify current rifle regulations with the state wildlife agency.

Are there different rifle deer zones in Maryland?

Yes, Maryland has zone-specific rifle deer seasons. Zones include: Garrett County RegionA — private-land antlered white-tailed deer. Each zone may have different dates and regulations.

Do I need a special tag for rifle deer hunting in Maryland?

You need a valid Maryland hunting license and applicable deer tags or permits. Some states offer rifle-specific tags or have separate quotas. Check current license requirements and availability.

What other methods can I use to hunt deer in Maryland?

Besides rifle, Maryland offers deer seasons for: Archery, Shotgun, Muzzleloader. Each method has different season dates and regulations.

Rifle/Firearm Deer in Other States

Compare rifle seasons across states

View All Maryland Deer Seasons

See all hunting methods for deer in Maryland.

All Deer Seasons

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