Early Muzzleloader Deer Season Opens in Maryland on October 22

The first segment of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer season opens Oct. 22, and serves as one of several deer hunting opportunities that help manage populations, and provide hunters with food and recreation.

The early muzzleloader season runs from Oct. 22-24 in Deer Management Regions A and B, which comprise the entire state with the exception of Baltimore City. Region A consists of Garrett, Allegany and western Washington counties (private land codes 250 & 251), and Region B is the rest of the state.

Hunters in Region B can harvest antlerless-only deer from October 26-31.

As a reminder, the statewide bag limit for antlered deer (bucks) is one per weapon season (i.e., archery, muzzleloader and firearm). Hunters in Region B can take one additional bonus buck after purchasing a Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp and taking two antlerless deer. Antlerless deer bag limits differ between the two regions.

As laid out by the antler point restriction, a hunter may not harvest more than two antlered white-tailed deer that have two or fewer points on each antler present within the yearly bag limit. Any additional antlered deer taken within the legal seasons and bag limits must have at least three points on one antler. Junior Hunting License holders are exempt from the antler point restriction.

The early muzzleloader season is open for sika deer of either sex in Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties from Oct. 22-24, and then for antlerless sika deer from Oct. 26-31. The sika deer muzzleloader season bag limit is three deer with no more than one being antlered. An antlered sika is defined as a deer with at least one antler visible above the hairline.

Season dates, bag limits, hunting regulations and deer registration procedures are located in the 2015-2016 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping. 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. DNR strongly recommends using a sliding knot, commonly known as a prussic 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. For more information on tree-stand safety, click here.

DNR encourages hunters to donate any extra deer they may harvest to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. Last year more than 600,000 venison meals were provided to food banks through the program.