Both seasoned and inexperienced hunters will go into the woods for wild turkeys from April through May. The laws and guidelines governing turkey hunt in Maryland must be understood as the season draws near. We’ll explore all the specifics in this page, including bag limits, hunting dates, rules, and other crucial factors that hunters should know before entering the field.
Maryland Turkey Season
Maryland’s normal spring season generally begins in April and features Junior Days before continuing through May. Maryland’s wild turkey population is at an all-time high in certain locations, and the state’s harvest for the winter was 25% greater than the year before.
| Schedule | Dates | Area | Bag Limit |
| Junior Hunt Days | 13-Apr | Statewide | 1 bearded bird per day |
| Sunday, April 14 | Sunday Hunt | ||
| Spring | April 18–May 23 (includes Sundays in some Areas) | Statewide | |
| Fall | Oct 28–Nov 5 (includes Sundays in some Areas) | Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties | Combined bag limit of 1 of either sex |
| Winter | Jan 18–20 | Statewide |
Sunday Hunting Locations
| Sunday Hunting Counties | Area |
|---|---|
| Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington | Private and designated public lands* |
| Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Charles, Kent, Queen Anne’s | Private lands only |
| Dorchester | Private and public lands |
| Talbot | Private lands only |
| Somerset | Private lands and public land leased to a hunt club only |
*Designated public lands
| County | Designated Public Lands Open to Sunday Hunting |
|---|---|
| Allegany | Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA, Cunningham Swamp WMA, Dan’s Mountain WMA, Green Ridge SF, Savage River SF, Sideling Hill WMA, Warrior Mountain WMA |
| Cecil | C&D Canal Lands, Earlville WMA, Grove Farm WMA, Mount Nebo WMA |
| Garrett | Garrett State Forest (SF), Savage River SF |
| St. Mary’s | Prather’s Neck WMA, Saint Inigoes SF |
| Washington | Indian Springs WMA, Old Bohemia WMA, Potomac SF |
Note: *(TBC) means tentative dates and to be confirmed.
Turkey Licenses
| Type of License | Cost (USD) | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Regular Hunting License | $24.50 | For Maryland residents aged 16 to 64 |
| Resident Junior Hunting License | $10.50 | For Maryland residents under 16 years of age |
| Resident License and Permit | 45-130 | For Maryland residents |
| Nonresident Hunting License | $130.00 | For nonresident hunters aged 16 to 64 |
| Nonresident Senior Hunting License | $65.00 | For nonresident hunters aged 65 and above |
Note: For entire MD licenses list you may review on the eregulations website.
Hunting Regulations
- Louisiana hunters must carry a picture ID or other valid identification. Private property hunting requires explicit authorization from the landowner. Hunting legally requires following these rules.
- Louisiana requires a license to hunt, with few exceptions. The state’s website lists hunting license prices, requirements, exclusions, and categories. Military personnel get particular information.
- Tagging & Inspecting section provides guidelines for tagging and inspecting all harvest.
- You can’t use feed or bait. An area is baited for 10 days after the bait is withdrawn. Recorded or electronically amplified calls and motorized decoys are forbidden. Salt and mineral pills are no longer turkey bait.
- Fowl hunters should leave the woods with an orange ribbon and bright daytime clothes on the fowl.
- Louisiana has firearm and device restrictions for turkey hunting. Shotguns must be filled with a one-piece filler that cannot be removed from the loading end if they can store more than three rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. Hunters may only use shotguns with #4 shot or smaller, crossbows, air guns that fire arrows or bolts, or vertical bows during Junior Days, Spring and Winter Seasons. Hunters may employ air guns that fire arrows, bolts, bullets, crossbows, pistols, shotguns with #4 shot or smaller or a solid projectile, rifles, or vertical bows in the fall.
- Louisiana regulates hunting equipment. Loaded air guns, firearms, and crossbows are forbidden in, on, or against vehicles. Unloaded crossbows are cocked without arrows or bolts. Shooting on public roads is also illegal. These rules protect hunters and non-hunters from hunting accidents.
Note: For complete list of MD hunting Season you may review on the Maryland DNR website.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Maryland Turkey Season begin?
The Junior Hunt Days take place on April 13 and the Sunday Hunt takes place on April 14 in Maryland. The Spring program is April 18–May 23, with Sundays included in certain areas. Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties saw a lot of bird sightings in the fall, from October 28 to November 5, including Sundays. The Winter season, which runs from January 18 to January 20, provides even more opportunities for birdwatching around the state.
What are the bag limits for Maryland Turkey Season?
Junior hunters may only harvest one bearded bird per day and two bearded birds total for the season during Junior Hunt Days and the Spring schedule. By contrast, during the Fall and Winter seasons, the bag limit changes to a combined total of one bird of each sex.
What types of firearms are allowed during Maryland Turkey Season?
According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, rifles, pistols, shotguns (loaded with #4 shot or smaller or a solid, single projectile), air guns (that discharge arrows, bolts, or bullets), crossbows, and vertical bows are among the weapon types that are permitted during the fall. Only shotguns (loaded with #4 shot or smaller), crossbows, vertical bows, and air guns that fire arrows or bolts are permitted during the spring. It’s vital to remember that hunters are only permitted to use shotguns with shot sizes #4 or less or a solid, single bullet during the Fall. A loaded air gun or weapon inside, on top of, or resting against any vehicle is also prohibited.
