Maryland 2001 Firearms, Bow and Falconry Regulations
Shotgun Regulations
Shotguns may be used to hunt upland and forest game, woodchuck, fox, coyote, opossum, nutria, fisher, raccoon, skunk 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.
  • 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 shot ammunition while hunting waterfowl or coots 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 during the spring season shall be restricted to using shot no larger than #4 and no smaller than #6.
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 hunting must use ammunition developing a muzzle energy of at least 1,200 foot pounds.
  • Firearms used for deer 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 upland game (except dove and woodcock) and forest game (except turkey during the spring season), crow, woodchuck, nutria (.22 caliber rimfire only) 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 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 State 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 upland game (shotgun only for dove and woodcock) forest game, woodchuck, fox, coyote, opossum, nutria (shotgun only), fisher, skunk and raccoon. Muzzleloading rifles may not be used to hunt nutria or 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 an equivalent amount of Pyrodex) 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, with the exception of some special military properties. Telescopic sights are legal during both the early and late segments of the Deer Muzzleloader Season statewide.
  • Both flintlock and percussion cap (including 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.
Handgun Regulations
Modern and muzzleloading handguns may be used to hunt upland game (except dove and woodcock) and forest game (except turkey), woodchuck, fox, coyote, opossum, nutria, fisher, skunk and raccoon. However, 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 hunting must be capable of developing a muzzle energy of 700 or more foot pounds and have a barrel length of 6 inches or more. Muzzleloading handguns (both single shot and revolvers) may be used to hunt deer in all counties. Muzzleloading handguns used for deer 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 an equivalent amount of Pyrodex) 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.

Bow Regulations

Bows may be used to hunt woodchucks and all game birds and game mammals, including migratory game birds, with the exception of muskrat, mink, long-tailed weasel, river otter and beaver. Any bow used for hunting must be hand-held, hand-drawn and held in drawn position by hand. Release aids are permitted. The use of poisoned arrows is not permitted.

Other restrictions related to deer hunting with a bow are:

  • The arrow must have a sharpened broadhead with a minimum width of 7/8 of an inch.
  • The bow shall have a full draw and pull of not less than 30 pounds.
  • The bow 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.
  • Hunting with a crossbow is prohibited. Applications for a special crossbow permit are available if physical disability prevents you from using a traditional bow.
FALCONRY REGULATIONS
  • Hunting with birds of prey is permitted one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset, Sunday through Saturday. 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. Contact Permits Coordinator*.
  • Possession of birds of prey is closely regulated by federal and state law. (See additional information).
  • 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.
*Permits Coordinator, DNR Wildlife & Heritage Division, 580 Taylor Ave., E-1, Annapolis, MD 21401; 410-260-8540.
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