Maryland’s 2026 Junior Deer Hunt opens statewide on November 14, and in certain counties it continues on Sunday, November 15, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
On November 14, the Junior Deer Hunt is open on private and designated public land in all counties. On Sunday, November 15, it is open on private land in all counties except Baltimore, Howard and Prince George’s counties. Also on November 15, junior hunters in Garrett, Allegany, Cecil, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester counties may hunt on designated public lands.
DNR is encouraging experienced deer hunters to introduce and mentor young people.
Hunters 16 years old or younger must have a valid hunting license. Licenses and stamps can be bought through the MD Outdoors licensing system online or through its free mobile app, at a licensing agent, or by calling the department’s Licensing and Registration Service at 866-344-8889. Youth hunters going after sika deer also need a sika hunting stamp.
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 have a hunting device while accompanying a junior hunter. Hunters who are not mentoring may take part in other open hunting seasons on those days. All hunters, including archery and other game hunters, are required to wear blaze orange or pink during the youth hunt dates.
Bag limits for the Junior Deer Hunt Days are one antlered or antlerless white-tailed deer in Region A; three white-tailed deer in Region B, with no more than one antlered; and one antlered or one antlerless sika deer. Deer taken by youth hunters on those two days do not count toward regular archery, firearm or muzzleloader bag limits, and they are exempt from the antler point restriction. Season dates, bag limits, regulations and registration procedures are in the Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping.
DNR reminds hunters to carefully inspect all tree stands and always wear a full-body safety harness in the stand and while climbing in or out. The department strongly recommends a sliding knot, known as a prusik knot, attached to a line secured above the stand so the hunter is tethered to the tree as soon as they leave the ground.
New this year, DNR has regulations on drones. Using a drone to locate and recover wounded or expired game is legal, but using one to hunt, trap or pursue any wildlife is illegal. Hunters must contact Natural Resources Police at 800-628-9944 before and after searching for any wounded or expired animal.
Hunters are also encouraged to donate deer taken in Maryland to food banks. A state tax credit is offered for donated deer, and hunters can check with their deer processors about other local or state programs.
Read the full release from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Maryland’s 2026 Junior Deer Hunt Opens November 14
