{"id":48877,"date":"2026-10-27T12:52:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T16:52:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=48877"},"modified":"2026-10-27T12:52:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T16:52:19","slug":"marylands-2026-junior-deer-hunt-opens-november-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2026\/10\/27\/marylands-2026-junior-deer-hunt-opens-november-14\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland\u2019s 2026 Junior Deer Hunt Opens November 14"},"content":{"rendered":"

Junior Deer Hunt Days offer a premier opportunity for hunters to mentor the next generation<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Photo by Kelly Ann Karwoski<\/p><\/div>\n

Maryland\u2019s 2026 Junior Deer Hunt will be open November 14 statewide and in certain counties on Sunday, November 15. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources encourages experienced deer hunters to introduce and mentor young people to help ensure the sustainability of conservation and our hunting heritage.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Junior Deer Hunt is open on private and designated public land in all counties on November 14. The season is also open on<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Sunday<\/span><\/a>, November 15 on private land in all counties except Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George\u2019s counties. Also on November 15, junior hunters in Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, Somerset, St. Mary\u2019s, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester counties may hunt on\u00a0<\/span>designated public lands<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs hunter numbers continue to decline across much of the country, Junior Deer Hunt Days play a vital role in introducing youth to hunting and sustaining the tradition for future generations,\u201d <\/span>Wildlife and Heritage Service<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>Director Karina Stonesifer said. \u201cWith mild weather and peak deer activity around breeding season, these days provide young outdoor enthusiasts an excellent opportunity to harvest a deer, make lifelong memories, and spend time in the great outdoors.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hunters aged 16 years or younger who are interested in participating must possess a valid hunting license. <\/span>Last year, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources introduced an updated online licensing system, <\/span>MD Outdoors<\/span><\/a>, including a new free mobile app of the same name. Licenses and stamps may be purchased through the <\/span>licensing system<\/span><\/a> (online or via the app), at a <\/span>licensing agent<\/span><\/a>, or by calling the department\u2019s <\/span>Licensing and Registration Service<\/span><\/a> at 866-344-8889.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Youth hunters looking to pursue sika deer must purchase a <\/span>sika hunting stamp<\/span><\/a> as well. An antlered sika is defined as a sika deer with at least one antler visible above the hairline.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old who holds a valid Maryland hunting license. Adults may serve as mentors only and cannot possess a hunting device while accompanying a junior hunter. Hunters who are not serving as mentors for a junior deer hunter may participate in other open hunting seasons during the junior deer hunt days. <\/span>All hunters, including archery and other game hunters, are required to wear blaze orange or pink during the youth hunt dates.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The bag limits for the Junior Deer Hunt Days are:<\/span><\/p>\n