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Fall Duck Hunting Underway Across Maryland

Duck with blue feathers in flight near some woods

Wood duck in flight. Photo by Scott Suriano, submitted to the 2023 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.

The mornings are becoming crisp and ducks are on the move, creating ideal conditions for Maryland’s regular fall duck season. The first split of Maryland Eastern Zone Regular Duck Season opens on October 10 and runs through October 17. The Western Zone Regular Duck Season is currently open and also closes October 17. 

Boundaries of the duck season zones can be found on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources interactive map or listed on page 44 of the 2026-2027 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping. 

“The early duck season is the ideal time for everyone to get out and enjoy some hunting success,” said Karina Stonesifer, Director of DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service. “Ducks are plentiful and the weather conditions are more favorable for getting youth and new hunters,and those who have taken time off from hunting, afield. ” 

Any adult participating in duck season will need to purchase both a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp and a Federal Duck Stamp. Youth hunters, including those possessing an apprentice license, must purchase a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp but do not need to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp if under 16 years of age. 

The daily bag limit for the Regular Duck Season in both the Eastern and Western Duck Zones is:

  • 6 ducks, no more than:
    • 4 mallards (only 2 can be hens)
    • 3 wood ducks
    • 2 black ducks (closed in October)
    • 2 canvasbacks
    • 3 pintails
    • 2 redheads
    • 1 scaup per day (2 per day from Jan. 8 – Jan. 30)
    • 1 fulvous tree duck
    • 1 mottled duck
    • 4 sea ducks: no more than 3 scoters, 3 long-tailed ducks, or 3 eiders (only 1 eider hen).

More details about the season and additional bag limits and species limits can be found online or at DNR’s Hunting in Maryland webpage.

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