Maryland’s Early Teal Hunting Season Opens September 17

Green-winged teal, photo by Dean Newman, submitted to the 2018 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.

Maryland will open its fall teal-only hunting season Sept. 17-26 in the September Teal Hunting Zone. Shooting hours are one half-hour before sunrise until sunset, the daily bag limit is six teal (blue or green-winged), and the possession limit is 18 teal, or three times the daily bag limit.

Seasons and bag limits for all other migratory game birds can be found in the 2026-27 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping.

“The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is pleased to once again offer the special early teal season as an additional waterfowl hunting opportunity and chance for hunters to experience all our state has to offer,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said.

All migratory game bird hunters, including landowners who are license-exempt, must possess a valid Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp/Harvest Information Program permit. All waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are also required to possess a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp – either a traditional duck stamp or an e-stamp. Hunters with a traditional stamp must have a physical, signed copy while hunting. Hunters with an e-stamp must have printed validation showing proof of purchase while hunting. 

Maryland hunting licenses, permits, and stamps can be purchased on the department’s online licensing system, MD Outdoors.

Maryland hunters with questions may contact DNR at 410-260-8540.