Firearms, Bow, and Falconry Regulations

Shotgun Regulations

Shotguns may be used to hunt forest and upland game, coyote, fisher, fox, nutria, opossum, raccoon, skunk, woodchuck and migratory game birds, with the restriction that the magazine and chamber must be capable of holding no more than 3 shells total except for deer hunting, where the number of shells is restricted to 8.

• Shotguns larger than 10 gauge may not be used to hunt waterfowl and coots.

• Nontoxic shot larger than No. T (.20 inches in diameter) may not be used to hunt waterfowl and coots.

• The possession or use of lead shotgun ammunition while hunting waterfowl, coots, snipe, and rails is prohibited.

• Deer hunters using shotguns must use a pumpkin ball, rifled slug or sabot. Buckshot may not be used to hunt deer except in Dorchester County, where #1 size buckshot or larger may be used. The use of shotguns smaller than 20 gauge for deer hunting is not permitted.

• A person hunting turkey in the spring season shall be restricted to only using shot sizes #4, #5, or #6.  A person hunting turkey in the fall season shall be restricted to only using shot sizes #4, #5, or #6 or a solid, single projectile.

Rifle Regulations

• It is unlawful to hunt with an automatic firearm capable of firing a series of shots with one continuous pull of the trigger.

• Rifles used for deer and bear hunting must use ammunition developing a muzzle energy of at least 1,200 foot pounds.

• Firearms used for deer and bear hunting may not have an ammunition clip loaded with more than 8 cartridges or bullets. If a clip has the capacity to hold more than 8 rounds, the clip does not have to be physically blocked, but no more than 8 cartridges or bullets may be loaded.

• Rifles may be used to hunt forest game (except turkey during the spring season), upland game (except dove and woodcock), crow, nutria, woodchuck and certain furbearing species.

• It is only lawful to hunt with ammunition of soft point (expanding) construction. All military, full metal jacketed, incendiary or tracer bullets are prohibited.

• Breech-loading rifles may not be used to hunt deer in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Frederick (in that portion of Frederick County lying south of a line beginning at the Washington/Frederick County line at US Rt. 40 and continuing on Rt. 40 east to Harmony Road, proceeding south on Harmony Road to I-70, following I-70 east through Frederick County), Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s and Talbot Counties or in Worcester County as follows: (1) within one mile of any school, (2) within that portion of South Point lying south of a line beginning at the west end of the Sinepuxent Bay Bridge on State Rt. 611, then by and with the south side of Rt. 611 to the junction of the South Point Road going south for a distance of .6 miles to a point opposite the southern boundary of the Ocean City Golf and Yacht Club property on the west side of the road, then by the southern boundary of the Ocean City Golf and Yacht Club to Trappe Creek and (3) within that portion of the land lying south of a line beginning at the mouth of the St. Martin River northwest to the junction with Shingle Landing Road, then by and with the south side of Shingle Landing Road to the junction with State Rt. 113, then by and with the east side of Rt. 113 to the junction with Rt. 589, then by and with the east side of Rt. 589 to the junction with US Rt. 50, then by and with the north side of Rt. 50 to the junction with Assawoman Bay, then by and with the west boundary of Assawoman Bay to the junction with the St. Martin River.

Muzzleloader Regulations

• Muzzleloading rifles and shotguns may be used to hunt forest game, upland game (shotgun only for dove and woodcock), coyote, fisher, fox, nutria, opossum, raccoon, skunk, and woodchuck. Muzzleloading shotguns, with non-toxic shot only, may be used to hunt waterfowl, coots, rails, and snipe. Muzzleloading rifles may not be used to hunt turkey during the spring season.

• Muzzleloaders used for deer hunting must be at least .40 caliber in size and use not less than 60 grains of black powder (or a black powder equivalent) and propel one all-lead, lead alloy or copper soft-nosed or expanding bullet or ball at a single discharge. Sabot loads are legal.

• It is permissible to hunt deer with a muzzleloading rifle or shotgun in all counties. Telescopic sights may be used on a muzzleloader during Firearms or Muzzleloader Seasons statewide.

• Flintlock, percussion cap, and inline ignition muzzleloaders are legal hunting devices. To be considered a muzzleloader, a rifle, shotgun or handgun must be loaded from the muzzle, and a revolver must be loaded from the front of the cylinder.

• Muzzleloaders are considered unloaded if the ignition system is disabled by removal of the cap, primer, battery, or primer powder.

Handgun Regulations

• Modern and muzzleloading handguns may be used to hunt forest game (handgun hunting for turkey only during the fall season), upland game (except dove and woodcock), coyote, fisher, fox, nutria, opossum, raccoon, skunk, and woodchuck.

• Modern handguns may be used to hunt deer only in those counties where the use of a breech-loading rifle for deer hunting is permitted with the exception that modern handguns may be used to hunt deer throughout Frederick County. Any modern handgun used for deer and bear hunting must have a barrel length of 6 inches or more and use ammunition which produces a muzzle energy of 700 foot-pounds or more.

• Muzzleloading handguns (both single shot and revolvers) may be used to hunt deer in all counties. Muzzleloading handguns used for deer and bear hunting must be at least .40 caliber in size with a barrel length of at least 6 inches and use not less than 40 grains of black powder (or a black powder equivalent) and propel one all-lead, lead alloy or copper soft-nosed or expanding bullet or ball at a single discharge.

• Contact the Maryland State Police for information about handgun purchase, possession, transport and use in non-hunting activities.

Vertical Bow Regulations

• Vertical bows (compound, recurve, or straight limb) may be used to hunt nutria, woodchucks, and all game birds and game mammals, including migratory game birds, with the exception of beaver, long-tailed weasel, mink, muskrat, and river otter.

• Any vertical bow used for hunting must be hand-held, hand-drawn and held in the drawn position by hand. Release aids are permitted.

• The use of draw-lock devices for vertical bows is permitted during any season for which the crossbow is legal.

• Anyone who is authorized to use a crossbow by special permit can also use a draw-lock device on a vertical bow.

• For hunting deer and bear, the vertical bow shall have a full draw and pull of not less than 30 pounds.

• The use of poisoned arrows is not permitted.

Crossbow Regulations

• Crossbows may be used to hunt deer, bear, and turkey only. 

• Hunters with a special crossbow permit for disabled hunters may pursue all game legal for a vertical bow except waterfowl.

• The crossbow shall have a draw of not less than 75 pounds and the use of telescopic sights is permitted.

• Deer hunting with a crossbow is permitted during the entire Deer Bow Season in certain counties while in other areas the use of a crossbow is limited to certain dates.  For more information see the Deer Bow Season regulations on pages 28-31.

• Any hunter who is 65 years of age or older or possesses any Maryland senior hunting license can hunt deer with a crossbow in all Maryland deer hunting seasons.  Hunters with physical disabilities that prevent them from using a traditional bow may apply for a special crossbow permit  to hunt deer during the bow season. 

• It is illegal to have a cocked crossbow in or on a vehicle.

Regulations Pertaining to Both Vertical Bows and Crossbows

• Regulations Pertaining to Both Vertical Bows and Crossbows

• Arrows for vertical bows and crossbows must have a sharpened broadhead with a metal cutting surface having a minimum width of 7/8 of an inch.

• The vertical bow and crossbow may be used for hunting deer during the Deer Firearms Season and Muzzleloader Season, in accordance with Firearms and Muzzleloader Season regulations.

• Firearms may not be carried while hunting deer during the Bow Season.

Falconry Regulations

• Hunting with birds of prey is permitted one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset, Sunday through Saturday. Coots and waterfowl may not be hunted on Sunday.

• To hunt with birds of prey, a hunter must have a valid hunting license and a Falconry Permit.

• Possession of birds of prey is closely regulated by federal and state law.

• While hunting game birds and mammals during the open season using birds of prey, a hunter is not required to wear fluorescent orange. However, hunters are encouraged to wear fluorescent orange whenever they are afield.

• A Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp and a Falconry Permit are required to hunt migratory game birds.

• For more information, contact Permits Coordinator, DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service, Tawes State Office Building E-1, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401, 410-260-8540.