Deer Firearms Hunting Season Opens Nov. 30

Maryland’s Most Popular Hunt Runs Through Dec. 14

Photo by Reinhardt Sahmel

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces that the two-week firearm hunting season for sika and white-tailed deer opens Nov. 30 and runs through Dec. 14. 

Sunday deer hunting is available in all but three counties for the deer firearm season and remains a critical component to deer population management and provides recreational opportunities for all resident and visiting hunters. 

“The two-week firearms season continues to be our most popular season with deer hunters,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “Nearly 50,000 hunters will take to the field with friends and families over the next two weeks to pursue one of their favorite past times. Along with the recreational value, the resulting deer harvest helps greatly with managing the state’s deer population.”

Hunters should consult the 2019-2020 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping for deer firearms season bag limits and other regulations and information.

During firearms season, Maryland requires deer hunters and their companions to wear daylight fluorescent orange or daylight fluorescent pink in one of the following manners: a cap of solid fluorescent daylight orange or pink, a vest or jacket containing back and front panels of at least 250 square inches of fluorescent daylight orange or pink, or an outer garment of camouflage daylight fluorescent orange or pink worn above the waist and containing at least 50 percent daylight fluorescent color.

Hunters should carefully inspect all tree stands and always wear a full-body safety harness while climbing in or out and while in the stand. The department strongly recommends using a sliding knot, commonly known as a prusik knot, attached to a line that is secured above the stand that allows the hunter to be safely tethered to the tree as soon as they leave the ground.

Maryland hunters are encouraged to donate any extra deer they may harvest to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. Hunters are reminded that they may claim a tax credit of up to $50 for each legally harvested deer that is processed and donated to a nonprofit food sharing program. The maximum credit in any one tax year is $200 per hunter. The approved form to claim this credit is available online.