Hunting and Trapping in Maryland
2003-2004

What's New for 2003-2004
Sunday Deer Hunting Now Permitted on Two Sundays in November on Private Land in Certain Counties - New legislation now permits the hunting of deer on private land on two Sundays in November in certain counties.  Hunters may now hunt white-tailed and sika deer on Sunday November 2, 2003 during the bow season and Sunday November 30, 2003 during the firearms season on private lands in Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Talbot and Washington Counties.

Crossbows Now a Legal Hunting Implement During Certain Seasons - The use of crossbows is now legal for all hunters to hunt deer during all firearms and muzzleloader seasons.  Crossbows are also legal to hunt deer during the bow season on the following dates: October 1-15, 2003 and January 15-31, 2004.  Also, any hunter who is 65 years of age or older or possesses a Resident Senior Hunting license can hunt deer with a crossbow during all Maryland deer hunting seasons.  Disabled hunters who wish to use a crossbow during any other time must still possess a special crossbow permit (see page 5).

Written Permission is Now Required to Hunt and Trap on Any Private Land - New legislation now mandates that written permission is required from the landowner prior to hunting on any private property.  In the past,  this was required in certain counties, but it is now mandatory in all counties.  Written permission continues to be required for anyone desiring to trap on private property.

Migratory Bird Stamp No Longer Required to be signed and Attached to License - Migratory game bird hunters are no longer required to sign and attach the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp to their license.  Hunters must now possess the printed receipt showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp while hunting migratory game birds.  Hunters can choose to receive the actual stamp by mail from a Licensing & Registration Service Center.  Hunters are still required to sign and attach the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp to their license.

Fox and Coyote Hunting and Trapping in Queen Anne's County - Queen Anne's County government has rescinded its ordinance prohibiting the hunting and trapping of fox and coyote in that county.  It is now legal to hunt and trap fox and coyote in Queen Anne's county during the established hunting and trapping seasons.

Licenses, Stamps and Permits
Term - Hunting licenses are valid from the date of issue to July 31, 2004, except the 3-day nonresident license.

Hunter Education and Safety Requirement - To purchase a hunting license or hunt in Maryland, state law requires: presentation of a Certificate of Competency in Firearms and Hunting Safety (required for junior licensees), or Certification that you held a hunting license issued prior to July 1, 1977, or Certification that you hunted on private property prior to July 1, 1977, and were legally exempt from purchasing a hunting license, or Certification that you are purchasing a nonresident license and will only hunt waterfowl.  Resident Junior Hunters (under 16 years of age) will be entitled to a free one-year hunting license, bow stamp, and muzzleloader stamp upon successful completion of a Hunter Safety and Education course, available at DNR Licensing and Registration Service Centers only.

Fall Season Hunting License - Allows you to hunt or trap all legal game birds and mammals in season without the need for additional stamps, except: (1) deer during bow season; (2) deer during muzzleloader season; and (3) migratory game birds.  A Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp may also be used with these licenses.

Resident Regular Hunting License - $24.50 (age 16 to 64)

Resident Junior Hunting License - $10.50 (Under 16 years of age, written permission from parent or guardian required)

Resident Senior Hunting License - $5.00 (age 65 and above, may purchase in the calendar year in which a resident attains the age of 65)

Holders of Senior Lifetime Consolidated Licenses - This license type has been eliminated, but persons who already have this license are "grandfathered" and do not need to purchase the Senior Hunting License, Bow or Muzzleloader Stamps.  However, they must buy a Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp to hunt a bonus antlered deer or a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp to hunt migratory game birds.

Nonresident Hunting License - $130.00 or reciprocal (Nonresidents of Maryland must present a valid driver's license or voter's card, or resident hunting license to establish residency.  Nonresidents under the age of 16 must also have written permission from a parent or legal guardian.)

Nonresident 3-day Waterfowl and Small Game License - $45.00 (Allows nonresidents of Maryland to hunt all legal game, except deer and turkey, for 3 consecutive legal hunting days.  Migratory Game Bird Stamp required to hunt migratory game birds.)

Nonresident Trapping License - $24.50 or reciprocal (This license is required for nonresidents to trap in Maryland.)

Regulated Shooting Area Hunting License - $6.00 (Allows you to hunt approved pen-reared birds on a licenses Regulated Shooting Area.  This license cannot be used to hunt wild or free-flying pen-reared waterfowl on a Regulated Shooting Area.  This license is not required if you have a valid resident or nonresident hunting license.  A Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp is required to hunt pen-reared mallards.

Stationary Blind, Blind Site License - $20.00

Migratory Game Bird Stamp - $9.00 (This stamp is required for all migratory game bird hunters (doves, rails, coots, snipe, woodcock and waterfowl), including persons not required to have a hunting license and holders of senior hunting licenses.  Migratory game bird hunters are no longer required to sign and attach the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp to their license.  Hunters must now possess the printed receipt showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp while hunting migratory game birds.  Hunters can choose to receive the actual stamp by mail.  The Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit is issued in conjunction with the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp.  Hunters are still required to sign and attach the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp to their license.)

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp - $15.00 (This stamp is required for all waterfowl hunters, including those who are not required to purchase a hunting license, except those under the age of 16.  After purchase, sign stamp and attach to license.

Bow Stamp - Required to hunt deer during Bow Season with valid hunting license.  This includes crossbows.
    Resident Bow Stamp - $6.00
    Nonresident Bow Stamp - $25.00

Muzzleloader Stamp - Required to hunt deer during Muzzleloader Season with valid hunting license.  This includes bowhunters that hunt with vertical bows and crossbows during the Muzzleloader Season.
    Resident Muzzleloader Stamp - $6.00
    Nonresident Muzzleloader Stamp - $25.00

Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp - A Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp allows you to take one (1) additional antlered white-tailed deer for each Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp purchased within the established bag limits for a given Deer Management Region.  Bonus Antlered Deer Stamps must be purchased prior to pursuing a bonus antlered deer.
    Resident Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp - $10.00
    Nonresident Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp - $25.00

Hunters entitled to hunt without a license do not need to purchase Bow, Muzzleloader, or Bonus Antlered Deer Stamps.  Hunters with a Senior Lifetime License do not need to purchase Bow or Muzzleloader Stamps but must purchase Bonus Antlered Deer Stamps to take bonus deer.

Special Permits for Hunters With Disabilities
Hunt from a Vehicle Permit - Hunters with mobility impairments may obtain a special permit so they may hunt from a vehicle.  Applications are available from DNR Regional Wildlife & Heritage Service Offices.  A physician must certify your permit application. 
Crossbow Permits - A special permit may be obtained to hunt with a crossbow if you cannot operate a bow due to physical disability.  Applications are available from DNR Regional Wildlife & Heritage Service Offices or online at www.dnr.state.md.us.  A physician must certify your permit application.