Maryland Game Bird Management

Now Available: Comment Form - Hunting Regulations

Migratory Game Birds

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources conducts two general types of migratory game bird studies: surveys of abundance and distribution and surveys of harvest and mortality.

The DNR integrates this biological survey information, research findings, and social considerations into annual hunting regulation proposals.​

​​

Waterfowl Management

Mourning doves, woodcock, rails, gallinules, and snipe



Eastern Wild Turkey photo courtesy of Wikimedia CommonsWild Turkey and Upland Game Birds

Although each of these species is managed differently, due to their unique ecology, they are all important in providing recreational opportunities in Maryland through hunting and other wildlife-dependent recreation.

Wild Turkeys

Ruffed Grouse

Bobwhite Quail and Ring-necked Pheasants


The Maryland Wood Duck Initiative (MWDI)

The Maryland Wood Duck Initiative (MWDI) mission is to enhance Maryland’s wood duck population and to generate a greater appreciation of the wetland habitats in which they live by advocating and demonstrating the merits of a “best practices” approach in managed nest programs.​


Waterfowl Hunting Management in North America

Packed with news, updates, harvest management information and scientific data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) in collaboration with flyway and state waterfowl managers. http://www.flyways.us