Comment Form: 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 Hunting and Trapping Regulation Proposals

Please submit your comments for proposed hunting regulations for 2026-2028. Do not use names or personally identifiable information in the comments as these comments may be posted for public view on the DNR website.

Please note that Sunday hunting is legislatively controlled
and DNR is not able to set Sundays via the biennial regulatory process.

SUBMIT COMMENTS

Comments Submitted - 2/19/2026

The MD Deer 2025/2026 Harvest was dramatically down for our Southern/Central Counties. In AA County the harvest was down >+25%. This is a significant reduction. PG County had an even greater reduced harvest, as did many other counties. EHG has significantly reduced the Southern/Central deer herd. During the past season, I saw very few deer this fall either visually, or with trail cameras (in a large geographic area, including SERC and other parks). I did not see many does at all in Oct/Nov 2025. I did not see a mature buck all last deer season. I saw several small bucks (tight 6s and 2x2s). This was in stark contrast to the 2024/2025 Deer Season and in past years. What was troubling was not seeing does. With the past month of snow cover in AA County, I can only assume that the deer herd is in extremis. EHG + snow portends a smaller deer herd in AA County + this coming season. Therefore, the 2025/2026 Deer Hunting Regulations should take this into consideration. If DNR takes no changes, in light of this situation, it will take ~6 years for the herd to recover to 'normal' levels, through herd migration, reproduction and re-distribution. This is not satisfactory. I propose that Deer Region B regulations be reassessed based on the significantly decreased Southern/Central County deer herd. Specifically, AA Counties + should: 1) Not permit more than 2 antlered bucks being harvested the entire year (no Bonus buck) and 2) the number of does that may be harvested be reduced to 3 for the entire year (not including deer harvested for feeding the hungry). These 'new' regulations should be in place for the next 2 years to jump start the recovery of the deer herd, then go back to 'normal'. If MD DNR takes no immediate action, they will complicate the matter. Auto insurance companies would be happy, but MD AA + County deer hunters, meat processors and sporting goods stores will not be. The 'hole' that the AA County deer herd finds itself in would be dug even deeper and take longer to recover P.S. I greatly appreciate the feedback that I have received for past several months from Mr. J. Trudeau, MD DNR (Oakland), on the condition of the MD Deer herd

We need better seasons for deer . Archery should start September 1st-January 31st Shotgun to be the month of November and muzzleloader to be the month of December. Between bad weather and holiday it makes it extremely hard to squeeze time to hunt in 2 week windows.

The Sika deer permit fee for non-residents is a travesty! That and all the other license fees and permits it's becoming unaffordable to hunt in Maryland. The money spent on lodging, gas and food etc. adding to Maryland economy along with reasonable license fees should be payment enough to hunt Maryland!

The Sika stamp is over priced for NR landowners - It's more than the license. I am ok with the Stag point restriction.

The migratory season for Canadian Goose should be continuous and a 2-bird limit. Outfitters and others that make a living off the season are hurting badly due to the limits of the 2025-2026 season.

Please allow Sunday hunting in all counties.

Id suggest to put duck season into February. That’s when all the birds are here.

allow all-day hunting on sundays on private (possibly public also) land. working hunters only have so much time in the week to experience the outdoors. sunday is often the only day. let's make it easier for hunters to get out for the experience and the harvest

How about Fall Turkey in All Counties. There are "Many" Turkeys these days compared to years ago. Plus, it would work well with Thanksgiving.

Drop the antlered deer bag limit to one per combined season with one bonus

Dear Maryland Department of Natural Resources, I am writing to request that the Maryland bear season be moved to coincide with the first week of rifle season or changed in some fashion to allow for better hunting. Currently, the bear hunt takes place during bow season and the pre-rut period, which creates unnecessary conflicts for hunters already in the field pursuing other game. In addition, holding the bear season during the work week makes it difficult for working individuals to participate, especially those who were fortunate enough to draw one of the limited lottery tags. Moving the season to the first week of rifle would make participation more accessible, safer, and better aligned with the broader hunting community’s activities. I myself along with people that I hunt with witnessed many bears during the first week of rifle season. The season set now does not benefit the working class Hunter and it gives very limited opportunities. The season that you have set now was created during an early days of bear hunting. It is now established that the bear population is thriving and doing very well in Allegany, Garrett and Washington County. You need to make a season that reflects that established bear population. This change would support hunter participation, improve field safety, and promote the continued growth of Maryland’s hunting traditions. I respectfully ask that the DNR consider this adjustment in future regulations. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Andrew Shively Allegany County Resident"

I'd like to see one Buck limit for region A. The primitive muzzleloading season I'd like to see it moved to first of October, does hunting only in region A. No organized deer drives on state owned property to give other hunters respect while hunting on state property in region A.

Allow three antler less deer to be harvested in region A

As requested for public feedback, upping the goose limit would great! I believe this would make a lot of hunters happy and spark interest in waterfowl hunting where people were discouraged of even buying a license due to these limits. I have heard several of the same complaints and stories that support my feedback.

Firstly, I am for having an antler restriction for sika deer. But, I think y’all should pump the brakes and question the effectiveness of the proposed antler restriction, and some gray areas not clarified in the stated proposal. Of the 24% of stag harvest that were spikes, what percentage of that were hunters’ second spike taken for the year? Most sika hunters only come for the early muzzleloader season, and will only harvest one stag for the year anyway. The proposed restriction would not decrease the harvest of spikes when most of them are being taken. Also, the statement of 24% of the stag harvest being spikes, and therefore yearlings, is not entirely correct. There are spikes harvested that are not yearlings. Some stags can be spikes for an additional year or two. Has there been any studies with cementum annuli aging of stags taken compared to their rack size? Another question I would have would be about raghorn stags. There are a lot of 4, 5 and 6 points that are basically glorified spikes, but they are obviously not yearlings. The points off their beam may only being 1/2 to 3/4” in length. So with these raghorns, do the points off the main beam have to be at least 1 inch to count as a point, like whitetail? Or, does just having additional points at all, no matter length, constitute as not being a spike? I would suggest to look closely at when spikes are being harvested, how many hunters are harvesting more than one spike in a year, and if this restriction would be effective with the desired goals. The restriction could instead only allow the harvest of a spike during the archery season, with it being two on a side for the muzzleloader and firearms seasons. Another thought would be to allow the harvest of spikes in any season, but only if one side of the spike measures a certain length. Whitetail hunters are able to determine if a spike is less than 3” for it to count towards a “doe” tag. Sika hunters could do the same with a larger minimum length. Inherently, if you made the minimum size of a spike 5-6” tall on one side, hunters would likely only take them when they are 6-7”+ to be safe. Also, will there be any process of studying how effective the antler restriction is after the fact of being in place? A tangent idea, but a related thought would be available access. If more access for public sika hunting were available it would spread out the harvest more evenly. Why is so much of Chesapeake Forest land leased for private hunting? Why are these Chesapeake leases given to nonresident hunters? These properties should be public land, offering more opportunity and spreading out the pressure and harvest on public land. Again, I like the idea of improving the herd dynamics, but this restriction will upset a fair number of people. I assume more than 50% will be for a restriction. So, be sure the restriction will be effective in improving the herd, and worth the upsetting of the other side of the argument."

Deer populations are not nearly as high as being stated. Ive seen a steady decline in the past several years since end outbreak. I think out of state hunters should be restricted to one antlered deer. And in state hunters should be cut back to 2 antlered deer and only 4 or 5 does. Many hunters are reporting the same population decline on eastern shore that I have spoken with

The goose limit needs to be put back at 2 a person.

Yes on Allow the use of straight-walled cartridge rifles during the muzzleloader seasons for those hunters with a Universal Disability Pass that are hunting from a vehicle."

I support most of the proposal. You need to fix the Sunday Hunting restrictions in Talbot County. Having to stop deer hunting at 1030 AM is ridiculous. If it is private property, Sunday hunting should be left open for the property owner to decide. Many hunters work during the week and on children have school. Taking Sunday afternoon out of the equation is not fair and restricts the ability of hunters to have access to hunting. Over 1/2 of the Sundays for Talbot county are restricted!!

As mainly a goose hunter this past season, and a new goose hunter at that. There are definitely some things that could be adjusted to make a more productive goose hunter experience. First that I would bet a majority of goose hunters would give up the week of thanksgiving to secure a week of hunting into the first week of February. Possibly allow goose hunting Thursday thanksgiving and Friday and then close it again. This makes sense due to a pattern of unfavorable weather during thanksgiving week. With averages of 50s and 60s recently that is not ideal goose hunting conditions. Secondly there is a large shortcoming for hunters in southern Maryland with a limit of 1 bird per person per day south of RT 301. This is a laughable restriction at best. It makes no sense that I could hunt a field 500 yrds south of 301 and only be able to harvest 1 bird, the following day I could hunt 500 yrds north of 301 and harvest 2 birds per day. There is no way of putting it where that restriction makes sense. If that rule must stand there should be a reduced license fee for goose hunters hunting south of 301. I shouldn’t have to pay the same fee to be able to harvest 1 bird a day as John Doe pays to harvest 2 birds a day while being 5 minutes north of me.

Turkey: Lower turkey bag limit to one per year, and remove fall/winter hunt. Population has falling so much we need more birds to make more. Bear hunting: tags limit keeps increasing but harvest limit has been less then 10% the last few years. If you want more bears harvest raising limit won’t fix it as past data proves. Either remove the lottery system and open it up to everyone or allow those lottery winners to bait.

A fall turkey season that takes place during the first week of November would be problematic and conflict with deer hunters. The proposed fall turkey season would take place during the most popular time of year bow hunters. Peak whitetail rut activity occurs during the first week of November. Turkey hunters and deer hunters often hunt the same areas and habitat. This could create a safely concern and decreased success for deer hunters. Why is the state attempting to align sika deer management with that of whitetail? Sika deer are still an invasive species along with snakehead and nutria, yet sika deer are now regulated with tags, reported harvest, and soon antler restrictions.

I would like to request Sunday hunting in Anne Arundel and Prince Georges counties. These counties and Howard are the only counties in the entire state that have either very few or zero sunday hunting opportunities. The winter daylight hours are shortened, at times nightfall is at 5 o'clock, and someone like me who works a 9-5 weekday schedule. This leaves 1 day a week I can hunt (saturday). Opening up Sunday hunts would provide more opportunities for me, and others like me, to help with the deer and wildlife management. Thanks, Bryan

I think Sunday hunting needs to be open to all public and private lands all season to help the people who have limited time to hunt. It would be a huge boost in hunting license numbers sold I think land just give more people opportunities to hunt. For non hunting users they have all year to do anything legal on public lands and the argument about Sundays being the only day during the fall the can go on public lands when there is no hunting is kind of bs because they use the lands all the time with no problems. I don’t have a problem with hikers or bikers whatever during hunting season as public land is for everyone it should just be open all season for hunting on Sundays

Can we not allow deer drives on public land during the season us local hunters in Dorchester County get a lot of Delaware and PA hunters coming in opening day and drive. You spend the year scouting and trying to find a good spot to hunt and look forward to opening day and it gets ruined because 15 or 20 guys decide to walk in and push the entire woods.

Allow region A to purchase a bonus buck tag for a 3rd and add a 3rd doe ..one each for each season Leave fall turkey season in for the month of November."

I would like small game hunting to be open on Sunday statewide as it is in Washington county.

Allow trappers to trap bobcats... even if it's only 1 or 2 a season in region A In region A , 1 doe as season bad limit regardless of weapon"

Limit buck harvest to 1 for out of state hunting and 2 (including bonus stamp) total for in state hunters for the whole season. Increase goose harvest to two a person

I have a few comments. 1. The crop damage is totally out of hand I. Washington co. When deer are being hauled to Pa and processed into meat sticks for sale it’s no longer crop damage. 2 the night hunters killing fox coyotes raccoons and throwing in a ditch has to end. 3. New trappers using cell cameras that send pics to a phone for checking traps is not very responsible."

I think extending squirel is a good idea. The weather in January and February can be fickle and may limit time afield. This year is a good example as the woods have been hard to access due to the ice. Thank you. Bill Gorman (Calvert County)

The use of drones is helpful in recovering deer and maybe bear. I agree that they can not be used for actual hungting. Notifying DNR in advance is a good idea. Thank you. ~ Bill Gorman (Calvert County)

Be nice to have a longer rifle shotgun or straight wall season like the suronding states it would help with the deer population . Baiting of ducks legal have game wardons be hard on limits and hunting times more food means more wildlife look at deer population over the years

Sunday bow hunting should be allowed in September in Carroll County. Sunday hunting is only allowed on private land. It should be legal and the landowner should be able to decide if they hunt or not on THEIR property.

You should consider moving the black bear season to the week before muzzleloader deer season. Early deer muzzleloader causes a lot of bears to go nocturnal and change their routine feeding which makes it much more difficult to be successful.

How can our state agencies promote and allow regulations that consistently result in harvesting more Bucks than Does?? It is absolutely ridiculous in Region A. The Buck to Doe ratio is so wildly skewed towards Doe in Region A from decades of horrible regulations that it will never come back in line. Pathetic. The state is so terrified of possibly losing license sales revenue that nobody will step up and be the “adult in the room” to pass sound regulations aimed at balancing the deer herd and improving the Buck age structure."

MD needs a One Buck limit and possibly Earn A Bonus Buck tag by harvesting two Does.

If you want a consistent, fun and high quality deer hunting experience with opportunities at Mature bucks in this state…you’ll need to buy a massive piece of private land and insulate yourself against the harm our current deer regulations cause.

For whitetail deer, Maryland DNR needs to implement a one buck limit for all weapon seasons combined. Region A would especially benefit from it.

I am in favor of a 1Buck only for ALL who hunt in Region A and a limit of 3 doe! The buck to doe ratio is totally out of control. Year after year there are more buck taken than doe. I can see that the Group -One Buck Limit is growing fast and will have a powerful voice in the near future!!!!! The age structure of bucks would increase significantly if this was put into place!!!! IMHO

It would be nice if when you click on proposals something would come up. But that's maryland. They want to use internet but cannot make it work

More Sunday hunts on wicomico county public lands it’s many of blue collar guys only day to hunt. Would love to see a two buck limit.

Within Howard and Montgomery county, I see dozens of road kill deer every year. I would like to see some hunting season increases or state land controlled hunts (a raffle in some circumstances might be a decent fundraiser) to help manage the population for public safety, while simultaneously increasing opportunity for hunters. With that being said, I have no issues or suggestions regarding the proposed changes.

I believe the following regulation changes would improve total population, herd health, and safer public hunting environments. While also providing more funding that could be allocated to support more wildlife management practices and programs. - Sika deer hunting for non-residents should be preference points due to the unique nature of the species only being located on Maryland's Eastern shore and the high levels of interest they attract from hunters all over the US. This would provide more revenue opportunities while also protecting our sika deer populations - Deer hunting with a crossbow should be limited to a shorter period of time within the current archery season. Crossbow hunting in today’s age has nearly the same range, distance, and damage as shotgun or straight walled cartridges due to the modern advancements in new crossbow technology. Crossbow performance isn’t even close in comparison to a traditional style bow which is why I believe they should be in their own segregated season or included within the current archery season but limited to a 2 week portion during the early and late - Deer drives on public land should be outlawed. Deer drives would consist of 3 or more hunters hunting as a group on the same parcel. This is the case in many other states as deer drives propose an increased risk of hunting accidents due to hunters making quicker shots at deer on the run which could easily result in lack of judgement in shooting direction or stray bullets from missed shots. On public land, hunters doing deer drives are not aware of the whereabouts of other non affiliated hunters so careful shot placement and situational awareness are often practices not utilized by the “on the move” tactics used while conducting deer drives. - Antlered Whitetail deer should have a minimum 5 point antler restriction with 3 on one side - Antlered Whitetail deer bag limit for Maryland residents should be 1 in any season with the option to purchase a bonus buck tag totaling a maximum of 2 antlered deer per year excluding sika deer bag limit -Antlered whitetail deer bag limit for Non-Residents should be 1 antlered buck in any season totaling a maximum of 1 antlered deer per year excluding sika deer bag limit - I also would like include a great way to protect our natural resources would be to block any and all attempts by Governor Wes Moore to replace state owned public land with low-income housing which is nothing more than voter influence and waste"

Bring back the November pre Thanksgiving migratory goose season.

Access trails need to be cut every few years some have been grown up for 10-15 years . Give us Sunday hunting every state around us allows hunting every Sunday

I agree with new drone rules and sika deer rules

Please make the primitive season occur over a weekend. Maybe expand it to five days so there’s always a weekend option. Thank you.

Fox and coyote should be year round.or hunting and trapping should end march 15 just like racoon trapping so it all ends on the same day in March .

Prohibit the killing of Hen Turkeys - turkey numbers are in decline across most states. Allowing hens to be legally targeted and killed by hunters during the winter season and bearded hens during the spring seasons is detrimental to the overall turkey population.

Sitka 2 stag limit , 2 or more points on one side no exceptions.

Limit buck harvest to 1 for out of state hunting and 2 (including bonus stamp) total for in state hunters for the whole season. Increase goose harvest to two a person

Also think fox season should be year round like coyote in baltimore county because they are killing off a lot of turkey chicks in the spring.also have them sneaking up on my decoys in the spring turkey season.

I agree with the change to region As antlerless whitetail deer bag limit during the archery season. I have often been disappointed that I could not fill both my doe tags during the early archery season in that area. I look forward to this change and the upcoming season.

Please lower sika bag limits to 2 stag total for all 3 weapons seasons and 4 hinds total. General over the counter black bear tags for zone 1 with lottery still in place for zone 2 Open hunting Patuxent River state park north and south of Annapolis rock rd and close hunting area east of where Annapolis rock rd and hipsley mill meet for a season or do a rotation."

I would rather have a week at the end of the season and do away with the October season. Generally there are more ducks and better hunting opportunities. The number of days would stay the same, just shifted.

Very much against the sika antler requirements as long as you have the current ""any antler above the hairline"" rule. Asking hunters to verify as little as 1/4"" of antler, on a deer that moves at the last minutes of light in heavy cover, is as bad as you could do. Also against the grace period for bear points. We got the option to just buy a preference point years ago for hunters who know they can't go that season and want to keep their points, if you can't even remember to buy your license/application you don't really care about going bear hunting!"

I live in the Dorchester county and a lot of the southern part are all Sika deer no whitetails I would like to see a increase in the Sika harvest for residents only quite frankly I think you should do a lottery for Sika deer tags for nonresidents I think the state would generate more money they will pay to hunt them and coyotes are becoming a problem so the trapping season should be extended the same amount of time as fox trapping because it's very possible to catch both species with the same type of traps it also will help keep the population in check before they wipe out everything and start eating peoples pets or worse and when all the Sika deer get eaten up the thousands of people that come here to hunt Sika stop how much money is the state going to lose

I'm 63 with bad knees and it's almost impossible for me to walk 1and a half miles in Garrett State Forest to where I've been hunting since 1975. The use of a fully electric bike would allow me to get back there and still enjoy my favorite spot on this earth. Why can't we change the rules for all class e-bikes, if nothing else for handicapped people. Think about it, how many handicapped hunters have bagged a buck at Garrett State Forest near Herrington Manor State Park? I've never seen one! Please help make it easier on us older guys.

Open Sunday hunting in Baltimore county on private lands!!!! There is no excuse whatsoever for it to be barred on land that is not public. Especially for archery hunting! Why is Baltimore the only county that won't allow it? Who's paying to keep hunters from exercising their rights to hunt land that is theirs?

I personally believe you should be able to hunt on your own property on sundays all day not limited to 30 mins before sunrise till 10:30 am The working folk usually only have weekends to hunt , also I would like to see a change in daily bag limit for Canadian goose to more than one for Calvert county and surrounding"

Disabled hunters SHOULD be able to use straight wall during muzzleloader, disabled hunters are already at a huge disadvantage it won’t hurt anything making things a little easier on them. The antler point restriction on sika deer makes no sense. If the purpose was to increase the mature stag population a better solution would be to regulate antler length on spikes instead of number of points. There are many mature stags that only have spikes. I grew up in south Dorchester and am very familiar with sika deer."

Waterfowl season. Remove September teal season and the 1 week first split of waterfowl season for a longer 3rd split that runs 2 weeks into February. Also elect for Sunday waterfowl hunting to be allowed till 12pm and remove Wednesday for waterfowl hunting.

Raise goose limit…. The population is not short 20 mins west of me can bag 5 and In hughesville I can only bag 1? What sense does that make???? SUNDAY WATERFOWL HUNT…. Most of your hu gets that buy a license to hunt work Monday through Friday and have 1 day to hunt……. Make that make sense especially when I hunt the Potomac and a 2 minute boat ride I can be in VA and hunt Sunday? Come on let’s be for real migration and the little quality of birds we get don’t show up till the last 2 weeks of January! Gives us sundays or take away the first split and gives us till February 14th.

I propose setting a one buck limit along with a three doe limit in Region A. I see it very beneficial to the herd and for the future of whitetail hunting in the state of Maryland. If enforcement would not prove too difficult I would like to see a campaign style limit set.This would allow One buck for three years then on the fourth year you get a bonus tag for either sex. The length of three years is critical due to whitetail age/growth potential but also to not cause volatility in the licensing of in and out of state hunters. I feel a one or two year cycle would not be sufficient for the same reasons.

In favor of all changes. Reduce antlered bag limit to 1 for all seasons combined with bonus tag allowing 2nd with same restrictions in place. Do the same for sika

I used to hunt deer in the New York Adirondack Mountains, where the rifle season began on the third Saturday of October and lasted until the first Saturday in December. I hunt in Frederick County and I know that Maryland has a generous length deer season, but extending the season would always be very much appreciated. As a teacher, it is difficult to take time off work to hunt. I would love to have the deer season begin in early November and go through end of December. I would even love it if it were weekends only during that time. Bottom line is I would love more time in the woods during rifle firearms season!

MD is over harvesting their bucks and therefore has a very limited age class. I recomend a 1 Buck limit to allow the buck herd to mature. In today’s world you will keep loosing hunters if you do not offer a quality experience."

White tail deer are an ecological problem in zone B, as well as a significant cause of human harm. In Washington county, tree seedlings in forested areas have currently little to no chance of reaching maturity, and the over population of deer is contributing to disease amongst the deer population. Most people are aware that deer cause traffic accidents, often resulting in injury or even death for the vehicle driver, but few people realize the role that deer play in our tick populations. We have long been familiar with Lyme disease, and we now have the lone star tick in Maryland, which causes alpha gal syndrome. Both these ticks rely on the deer as a vector in their life cycle. The white tail deer population is now so large that the tick population has exploded, overwhelming the ability of natural predators to control it. I see nothing in the new regulations that would significantly reduce the deer population.. The DNR could publish annual data about the harm caused by the over population of deer - traffic accidents and injury, rates of tick born illness, harm to forest and understory growth - this would garner more support for deer culling and might even encourage more hunting. Does the DNR have any other proposals that would reduce the deer population in zone B?

Maryland should institute better conservation practices with whitetails antlered deer. One of the two options should be adopted. 1 antlered buck per year regardless of weapon, with the option of a bonus tag to take a second buck regardless of weapon. Or make the antler restriction to be 4 points on one side excluding apprentice license holders and junior hunters. Maryland has the ability to produce quality whitetails bucks that many other states have been able to produce by instituting management practices. This also would help with the overpopulation of antler areas female deer in many areas because hunters will be more prone to harvesting an antler less deer with the buck or antler restrictions put in place. This would greatly increase the herd health and the oppurtunity Maryland has to produce the most mature whitetails bucks on the east coast. This is a win win situation. Better management on the antlered bucks while also increasing harvest rates on antlerless females

I like the idea of the grace period with the Black Bear lottery system. This will help ensure people aren’t negatively impacted for a simple mistake. I have no direct comment on the remainder of the proposed changes in regulations as listed. The changes made for the last two years for white-tailed deer have worked out very well I feel. I exclusively hunt in region A and the additional time to harvest antlerless deer has been well received. The added time in firearm season and late muzzleloader season has helped me keep my freezer stocked while helping to manage the deer herd. I want to add a comment for future regulation consideration. Has there been any consideration to allowing antlered deer tags to be used as “either sex” tags in the later portion of the seasons? Pennsylvania allows hunters to use an antlered tag as an either sex tag in the late flintlock/archery season. This program seems to be popular in that state. For Maryland, this would apply primarily to region A since region B already has a larger antlerless limit. Maybe after the close of firearm season in region A, if a hunter has filled both region A antlerless tags, they can use one Antlered tag as an “either sex” tag for the remainder of the year. This could help increase some antlerless harvest while protecting smaller, younger bucks. I am a true deer hunter versus a buck hunter. I will harvest a spike when I can if that is the opportunity I am presented. If I can use my antlered tag for “either sex” in the late season I would be more willing to let these small bucks walk in favor or a doe. Thank you for your consideration. "

Limit antler deer harder in area 330 northern baltimore county there isn't very many 130 inch bucks around anymore. "In reference to the late primitive weapon season - The same antler point restrictions as all other seasons should apply. A deer that doesn’t meet the antler point restriction during the regular archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons for harvest should not become legal to harvest because it shed its antlers. In reference to antler point restrictions - The allowance for one antlered whitetail that doesn’t t meet antler point restrictions should be done away with, except for the junior hunt days, or for those with a junior hunting license."

I agree with the drone proposal. Not only do they pose a problem for fair chase they are being used to "locate" deer on other properties encouraging trespass and or attempts at poaching. Sika deer are not whitetail deer regarding APr's. It is not uncommon to have more than one 5 year or older stag within a herd.Often they are tall spikes up to ten or more inchs with mass and should be fair game with already established bag limits.

September 1 opening date for archery season . 2 buck limit total across all 3 seasons. Doe reduction to 5 per season. October doe only muzzleloader needs to be removed . Crossbow removed from archery season and moved to gun seasons only unless handicapped or permitted. I have been bow hunting since 1991. The deer numbers across the eastern shore area that I hunt are at an all time low. Crossbow and high bag limits along with unregulated crop damage and the recent years of EHD outbreaks have reduced numbers and decimated the age structure and our area has not recover since 2021.

Drones are being used to aid in the pursuit of deer across the state. Drones are flying thermal finding mature bucks and watching them leave their beds and the hunters move in. Drones have no place in deer hunting and the ability to take the easy route and not learn to read sign and track your own animal is becoming a lost art as people are to quick to call for help. The abuse I’ve seen in my area involves harassment of wildlife ,invasion of privacy flying over property lines and unfair unethical practices of hunting. There is a point when enough is enough and drones are an abuse of ethics and responsible hunting practices . The people operating drones in our area miraculously started harvesting big mature deer as well as there is no vetting of who can own and operate . In most instances the drone operators I know of are not reputable or respectful outdoorsman. Too much abuse has already occurred and needs to be stopped permanently.

I provide thermal drone recovery services as well as herd analysis services. I disagree with banning drone deer recovery and herd analysis….although, I fully support clearly defined regulation AND licensure to perform these services. We are a professional operation that provides a wide range of services including agricultural spraying and seeding. A problem in the drone industry as a whole is that anybody with $8k in their pocket can buy a drone and fly it and “provide services”. Many of these people are either completely unaware of the law or intentionally disobey it. I would love to talk about this further and I know many legitimate drone operators that would as well. Please don’t punish the good guys because there are a bunch of bad guys out there.

I support the goal of the proposed drone regs. That is, limiting them to recovery and requiring a notification to DNR when used. However I own a farm and use a drone for non hunting purposes on my own land. I also hunt that land. Please take people like me into account. Will that fact that i hunt from time to time prevent me from using a drone for other reasons on my property? Maybe prohibit it on days I’m hunting but allow on days I’m not?

I am writing in support of allowing the continued use of drones for wounded deer recovery in Maryland. Thermal drones have proven to be an ethical and highly effective tool to ensure that wounded deer are located quickly and efficiently. Their use increases recovery rates and prevents waste of harvested game. This aligns directly with the core principles of ethical hunting and responsible wildlife management. All professional drone operators conducting recovery work are required to be FAA Part 107 certified, meaning they are federally licensed, tested, and regulated. These operators follow strict safety standards and airspace regulations. In addition, requiring drone operators to notify DNR before and after flights — similar to tracking dog handlers — is a reasonable and workable framework. Regarding scouting, I support allowing drone use for deer observation provided that no scouting occurs within 24 hours of hunting the property being flown. A 24-hour buffer maintains fair chase principles while still allowing landowners and hunters to assess herd health, population numbers, and habitat impact without pressuring deer. Thermal surveys and recovery services do not increase harvest numbers — they increase recovery success and reduce waste. Drones, when used responsibly and regulated properly, are a conservation tool — not an unfair advantage. Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.

We should be able to use drones to help track wounded animals it leads to more recovery and less stress on the animals

How is APR's on sika deer similar to Whitetail management practices? Some of these spikes are a couple years old and wind up passing inferior genes. If you want to manage sika deer better, limit out of state stamps like other states do to improve herd quality.

These drones need regulated. Some of these outfitters/hunitng clubs are running them over adjacent properties, locating bedded deer and then targeting the active game trails for their clients. That's not fair chase in the least.

I’d like to make a comment regarding the proposed drone laws. As a hunter who has hired both drones and dogs to track wounded deer I can tell you firsthand that drones are one of the most valuable tools to be used in deer hunting in a very long time. They provide the ability to track wounded animals without having to disturb wildlife and potentially push wounded animals farther off of your property onto neighboring properties. In addition, I also have large concerns on how The DNR will establish positive ethical drone use compared to unethical drone use? This is A huge gray area that DNR agents will have to work through and I would be interested to know what basis and rules will establish improper drone use resulting in fines? I know many people who use drones in a positive manner for habitat and wildlife. Using them to help design their property’s and establish habitat from an aerial view. Drones also provide landowner’s ability to view wildlife without disturbing them, which is positive for both the animal and the landowner. Again, I bring up the point I think it will be hard to establish an illegal bias that will hold up in court to prove a landowner is trying to use their recreational drone flying over their property For unethical harvest. Thank you

-Allowing straight-walled cartridges for UDP holders during muzzleloader is a good, clear, and reasonable accommodation. -DNR's old muzzle energy restrictions on modern pistol caliber rifles, despite those firearms being long-proven as ethical at reasonable distances in many other states, are counterproductive since straight-walled and other lower-ranged cartridges are being encouraged. Removing those restrictions is a welcome modernization of Maryland's hunting regulations. -The ""infinite grace period"" on bear lottery preference points is a good way to encourage participation (and funding!) Penalizing participants who must miss a year due to health, work, or other reasons, never made sense. -The drone restrictions are worth a trial run but please add a sunset of 3 - 5 years at which time their impacts shall be evaluated. -Thank you for taking comments."

I totally agree on antler point reactions , I also feel bow season is way too long . I would like to see a hunter in rifle season be able to feel his tag at any point for an anterless animal . I agree on banning drones.

I think it is ridiculous that you are trying to to stop people from using drones and dogs to find wounded or dead animals especially deer. Or adding more restrictions to them. Yes they should not be allowed to be used to search for deer to harvest but once a deer or other animal has been shot. It is only ethical to do everything possible to find that deer and see if it has died or if not to do the humane thing and put it out of its misery. And if you can afford to use a drone or a dog to find it then I would not want to know that I have wounded a deer and have it be in pain and I haven't done everything possible to find it along with the fact that a dead deer can possibly transmit diseases to humans and other deer so it is better for hunters to be able to use every means possible to find a wounded or dead deer. Plus it is just the ethical thing to do. I have hunted 45 years and wish tracking dogs and drones would have been around the entire time because I have not been able to find a few deer even after searching for hours and I felt bad know that I had wounded/killed a deer and wasn't able to locate it

The use of drones is an excellent tool for recovering game so it doesn’t go to waste. It is also can help with locating wounded game and make suffering less possible. Scouting with them is also an excellent tool for hunters/land owners to assess the herd that they have to better manage the buck to doe ratio. Also Stop raising the hunting and fishing license for residents of the state, these are our natural resources owned by the people not the government.

There's no reason to increase antlered limits. If anything, reduce to one antlered per season. We need to take down the doe population. One buck may breed multiple does but taking one doe can eliminate potentially more than a dozen deer. There's a reason the vast majority of deer we see dear on the road are antlerless.

1 doe with each weapon. For early muzzleloader make it heritage hunt rules. Make it one buck per year with a 3 point per side restriction, or 2 bucks but have a 4 point per side restriction

Why doesn’t Maryland open up and allow someone to kill a doe the first day of rifle season. This will not only help with pressure, but also allow those who hunt solely for meat to kill a fat doe, rather than harvesting a smaller buck that may have potential.

Please raise the out of state hunter fees to reflect neighboring states' out-of-state hunter fees. I believe out-of-state hunters threaten and diminish Maryland hunters' rights and enjoyment of hunting. However, if they are willing to pay a higher price (let's say $300) then the benefits of the money raised in fee revenue can outweigh the negative impact on Maryland hunters.

Maryland harvests of deer were down some 7 to 8% compared to previous years as I understand it. If a proposal to increase out-of-state hunter fees is considered (from another comment submission I submitted) then the harvest numbers will decline further. To prevent this, perhaps a focus on both urban hunting and co-ops with farmers can be implemented. Urban hunters should be required to take an online safety course specifically for urban hunting. Urban hunting should be bow/crossbow only. For farmer co-ops, have farmers that are wanting deer reduction to be part of a program where hunters hunt their land given certain parameters (to be determined by DNR and the farmers) are followed. Probably will need to be a lottery system and letting everyone get their chance over time (so lottery winners should not get a consecutive year unless demand isn't high enough).

I would really like to see our state go to a one buck limit for the season. We are blessed with some great genetics in our state and I believe tightening up the antler bag limits would produce some great bucks.

Open all Sunday hunting everywhere. Or a least on private land. Make e-bikes illegal on public land or restrict usage to age/physical abilities. Only allow crossbows to be used if you have a doctor’s note for not being able to use a vertical bow. Then create a special permit for that and charger for it!!"

Do not regulate the use of a drone for finding wounded game. Good things come around and you all try to take them away… these drones have served a great purpose in giving closure to hunter and paying utmost respect to the animals doing everything you can to find them and not let them go to waste. Also teaches the younger generation that if you want to get out there and hunt you need to use all resources to find the animal you choose to pull the trigger on

I would like to see the first day of gun season start the saturday before Thanksgiving.

Allow Sunday hunting in all counties on private land

Under federal law 16 U.S. Code § 742j-1 - Airborne hunting in regulation 50 CFR 19.11 (b)(2) While on the ground takes or attempts to take any wildlife by means, aid, or use of an aircraft. Also under federal law aircraft is defined under 50 CFR 10.12, Aircraft is defined as any contrivance used for flight in the air. Furthermore “take” id defined under 50 CFR 10.12 as means to pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect. Wildlife is defined under 50 CFR 10.12 as any wild animal, whether alive or dead, including without limitation any wild mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod, coelenterate, or other invertebrate, whether or not bred, hatched, or born in captivity, and including any part, product, egg, or offspring thereof. In terms of federal law under the Airborne Hunting Act the use of a drone to collect dead wildlife is prohibited. The use of drones to recover wildlife is prohibited.

I think the buck harvest limit should be 2 bucks for resident and 1 bucks for non resident. Nonresident tags should be more expensive. Maryland could be a great trophy state however with would make the state significantly more income. This can't be done with every 1 tagged driving south from pa and shooting all the bucks they want.

The Black Bear grace period for the Black Bear lottery system is a good idea, which helps the hunter not to be penalized by losing points for a mistake at time of purchasing other licenses. I have no comment on the other proposed changes in regulations as noted. The changes made over the last two years for white-tailed deer have been beneficial. I hunt in Region A, only on Public Land and the additional time to harvest antlerless deer has been very helpful. The time in firearm and late muzzleloader season has helped me harvest and fill my tags, which keeps the freezer full while helping to manage the high doe deer herd. This also helps when you have bad weather, with extra days to hunt. Another consideration for the future, would be the use of antlered deer tags. I have friends in Pennsylvania who are allowed to use an Antlered Tag as either antlered or antlerless after the rifle season. I realize this would apply mainly to Region A, since Region B already as a large bag limit. After the firearm season in Region A, if I have doe tags filled, with buck tags left, it would be useful to have the buck tags as an either sex tag for the remaining season. I would be more than willing to let a smaller buck walk, if I have available doe tags. I am a deer hunter providing for my family, and not just an antler hunter. If I can let a smaller buck walk and take a doe, this will help increase the buck to doe ratio. Thank you."

As to proposed drone regulations, due to the nature in how drones operate to recover wounded game, they are conducting de facto heard analysis that the client (hunter) could use to aid in future hunts. Has there been consideration to use language that would prohibit hunting on a property on which a drone has been used to recover game for a certain number of days? An example would be ""no hunting a property for 2 days after a drone was used to recover game."" While this is not addressed directly by other states, some states do have a ""no drone scouting 14 days before the start of a season"" and Alaska had rules in place that you cannot hunt the day you fly into a location to limit aerial scouting. Just a couple comments about maintaining fair chase hunting"

I'm not a drone operator nor have I ever relied on the services of a drone recovery service, but I do question the purpose for wanting operators to notify DNR before a recovery and how exactly that would work. If this is something that would inhibit their ability to conduct their business, I would disapprove. If it's as simple as adding the notification capability right into the DNR mobile device app, then that would not be too bad I guess. I just dont see a reason to require this and think it's just another rule in Marylands already overly complex and growing lengthy rule manual

I would like to see if the start date for trapping muskrats would be moved to Dec 1 and go to it’s existing date of march 15 as it would give us trappers more time early in the season because the days we lose we get a extension but no one is gonna trap till spring as there’s chances of catching pregnant rats thanks

Early muzzleloader should be October 15-17 not 22-24. Stick to the 3rd weekend in October.

I would like to see the elimination of the time cutoffs on Sundays. I see reason that on private property that I should be limited by a time. I generally don't hunt the early morning except during spring turkey season. I would like the option to hunt afternoons for both deer and small game. Over all the limits to any Sunday hunting anr unwarranted. You can fish on Sunday, you can gamble on Sunday, you can drink and buy alcohol on Sunday, but we are still fighting to have full access to hunt on Sunday.

I wish to hunt on Sundays in Montgomery County, my job requires 6 day work days. Would be great to not have to drive 2 hours plus to hunt. Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your time. I agree completely to prohibit the use of drones. It is far too commonplace to be hunting a marsh or body of water and seeing a drone fly over to locate waterfowl at rest. Shortly after, those same individuals walk in and disturb the waterfowl at rest or will even use the drone to flush waterfowl. Drones are frequently being used to locate ""trophy"" whitetail deer. These drones even have thermal capabilities. Knowing exactly where your target is prior to heading out to hunt seriously crosses the line of ethical sportsmanship. I also believe that cellular cameras should be prohibited in hunting whitetail deer. Technology has far exceeded the threshold of what is called ""fair chase"". We have to do our best to protect our wildlife as stewards of conservation."

I am submitting this comment regarding the growing role of technology in hunting and the proposed allowance of drones for the recovery of wounded game. While the intent of improving recovery rates is understandable, I am concerned that both drone use and the continued expansion of real-time surveillance tools such as cellular trail cameras are fundamentally changing the nature of hunting in ways that challenge fair chase principles and create enforcement difficulties. Across the country, wildlife agencies have taken a cautious approach to drone use in hunting because of how difficult it is to separate legitimate recovery from the locating of live animals. Several states prohibit the use of drones to locate wildlife during any part of a hunt due to both ethical concerns and the practical challenge of enforcement. Even recovery-only use has resulted in violations elsewhere when operators located live animals in the process, demonstrating how blurred this line becomes in real-world situations. In Maryland and beyond, we are also seeing the rapid expansion of cellular trail camera use. Unlike traditional cameras that provide delayed information, cellular cameras deliver real-time movement intelligence that allows hunters to react immediately to an animal’s presence. This shifts hunting away from woodsmanship, scouting, and time in the field toward remote monitoring and near-instant decision-making. Combined, drones and real-time cellular surveillance tools risk transforming hunting from a skill-based pursuit into one increasingly driven by technological advantage. This is not simply a question of convenience — it raises meaningful fair chase concerns and creates enforcement challenges that depend on proving intent after the fact rather than preventing misuse. Additionally, the emergence of private drone recovery services further complicates this landscape. While intended to assist hunters, they normalize aerial wildlife detection in ways that make it difficult to distinguish ethical recovery from active locating or pressure of unharmed animals. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Department to reconsider the proposed allowance of drones for game recovery and to evaluate whether real-time cellular trail camera use should also be restricted in order to maintain fair chase principles and public confidence in ethical hunting practices. Maryland has long balanced access with responsibility. Preserving that balance requires caution when adopting technologies that fundamentally alter the relationship between hunter and game. Thank you for your consideration." "I am submitting this comment regarding the growing role of technology in hunting and the proposed allowance of drones for the recovery of wounded game. While the intent of improving recovery rates is understandable, I am concerned that both drone use and the continued expansion of real-time surveillance tools such as cellular trail cameras are fundamentally changing the nature of hunting in ways that challenge fair chase principles and create enforcement difficulties. Across the country, wildlife agencies have taken a cautious approach to drone use in hunting because of how difficult it is to separate legitimate recovery from the locating of live animals. Several states prohibit the use of drones to locate wildlife during any part of a hunt due to both ethical concerns and the practical challenge of enforcement. Even recovery-only use has resulted in violations elsewhere when operators located live animals in the process, demonstrating how blurred this line becomes in real-world situations. In Maryland and beyond, we are also seeing the rapid expansion of cellular trail camera use. Unlike traditional cameras that provide delayed information, cellular cameras deliver real-time movement intelligence that allows hunters to react immediately to an animal’s presence. This shifts hunting away from woodsmanship, scouting, and time in the field toward remote monitoring and near-instant decision-making. Combined, drones and real-time cellular surveillance tools risk transforming hunting from a skill-based pursuit into one increasingly driven by technological advantage. This is not simply a question of convenience — it raises meaningful fair chase concerns and creates enforcement challenges that depend on proving intent after the fact rather than preventing misuse. Additionally, the emergence of private drone recovery services further complicates this landscape. While intended to assist hunters, they normalize aerial wildlife detection in ways that make it difficult to distinguish ethical recovery from active locating or pressure of unharmed animals. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Department to reconsider the proposed allowance of drones for game recovery and to evaluate whether real-time cellular trail camera use should also be restricted in order to maintain fair chase principles and public confidence in ethical hunting practices. Maryland has long balanced access with responsibility. Preserving that balance requires caution when adopting technologies that fundamentally alter the relationship between hunter and game. Thank you for your consideration."

One sika deer stag per year One whitetail buck per year Those two changes will help major with the doe population it will have hunters actually harvest does. I would also like to see cell cameras be banned on public land there everywhere out there and causes spot drama if other hunters hunt by there camera. Would also like to see non resident sika tags go to a lottery system have a determined amount of tags for non residents to enter lottery for $20. Have a amount of tags for either sex and then tags for hinds only"

Open the AP Canada goose season on Friday, 12/18 instead of Tuesday, 12/15. This would give us some flexibility to hunt when the birds are really here.. It also gives the working man a better chance to take off from work and possibly hunt two straight days..Our geese are here in peak numbers in late December through Mid February anyway , especially if it’s a mild winter.. I also think the USFWS and Atlantic Flyway Council should push for a 45 day 2 bird CANADA GOOSE SEASON FLYWAY WIDE for 5 years. Do away with all the zones, imaginary lines and boundaries! Kill Resident geese from August 15 to September 15 in ALL Atlantic flyway states! Guarantee the AP population would increase exponentially if you would just try this approach. The Chesapeake regions seasons over the last 5 years are proving my point! They have been all over the map, 30/1 to 45/2 to 30/2 to 30/1 and now back to 45/2!!! That looks more like stupidity than Science! I’m really hoping the GPS collar data will be a game changer, fingers crossed!

I am a Maryland resident writing to express concern about the state’s current wildlife management approach. While I value conservation, I am troubled that Maryland's system prioritizes hunting, fishing, and trapping over the protection of wildlife and intact ecosystems. Predators and other native species play critical ecological roles, yet they continue to be treated primarily as harvestable resources rather than as essential components of healthy landscapes. I urge the DNR to end lethal ""management"" of deer, bears, and other species, to prioritize ecosystem health and biodiversity over harvest quotas, and to develop funding models that do not depend on killing wildlife, and center conservation policies around coexistence and habitat protection. Most Marylanders do not hunt or trap, yet we all share responsibility for the state’s ecological future. I ask that the DNR better reflect the values of the broader public and the best available ecological science. Thank you for your consideration."

Get rid of the bonus buck stamp. And make it so u must have a disability to us a crossbow or over the age of 56

Get rid of the bonus buck stamp. And make it so u must have a disability to us a crossbow or over the age of 56 Please take away our October duck hunting season and add it on to Jan 31 our original end date and continue it into February. Also can you raise the Canadian goose limit from 1 to atleast 3 I’ve seen crazy amounts of geese these past couple years like never before and it makes no sense to have such a low limit with our neighboring states having a higher limit. Plus the birds are educated when they arrive down here so it’s not worth hunting one. Also it makes no sense to have a resident goose limit of 8 per person to the go to 1.

Sika Deer: must be branched, no exceptions. TURKEY: Get rid of winter season. Just a bunch of people, hunting, deer bait piles and shooting turkey. Our turkey numbers Are the lowest i've ever seen it. Our name winter season male only. Save the hens. Whitetail: drop buck harvest to 2 per year even with bonus.

Drones: they are being abused and used illegally."

More than 1 goose per person

I was born and raised in Prince George’s County and I’ve spent my entire adult life enjoying the recreational opportunities the state of Maryland has to offer. I have also been able to observe the evolution of the culture, community, and legislative landscape surrounding outdoor recreation of the state. I support a ban on cellular trail cameras in Maryland. These devices shift hunting away from traditional woodsmanship and fair-chase principles by allowing near real-time monitoring of wildlife without being physically present in the field. This technology promotes a more transactional, trophy-focused mindset rather than skill-based, ethical outdoor recreation rooted in patience, scouting, and respect for the resource. Additionally, cellular trail cameras can create opportunities for illicit or unethical practices by enabling hunters to respond immediately to animal movement, potentially blurring the line between legal hunting and unfair technological advantage. Maryland’s hunting heritage has long emphasized fair chase, personal effort, and conservation. Prohibiting cellular trail cameras would help preserve those values and maintain a level playing field for all outdoorsmen. Thank you for considering this comment."

More than 1 goose per person

In addition to my previous comment related to drone deer recovery, drone operators should be required to purchase a hunting license, with the rational that game recovery is "part of the hunt" and it would mirror the requirements for leashed dog tracking "I am adamantly against allowing any cartridge greater than .30 caliber to be used regardless of muzzle energy. This would allow cartridges as weak as .380 ACP or even less to be used, which are not ethical for hunting deer. The current regulations around rifle cartridges are fine and should not be changed. The other regulations I am in favor of, particularly the drone regulations."

Agree with new Sika antler restrictions, caliber changes for deer, and use of drones. Good idea to use drones to locate wounded game. Shouldn’t be limitations on who can use them, but definitely how and when. I like the requirement to notify DNR when in use for recovery.

In my experience people with true disabilities don’t want to be treated differently than others. Let the people with the road hunting pass use muzzleloaders. I believe this regulation could hurt the fight against poaching and make it harder for law enforcement to keep our rural areas policed. Thank you.

The Canada goose limit should be 3 geese throughout the season and the state instead of 1 east of the bridge and 5 west of the bridge (Charles county) with the limits changing every few weeks. It’s confusing and discouraging for hunters, especially new hunters trying to get into the outdoors, which is the ultimate goal right? I also feel that the third split should run from January 1- February 15 instead of December 15- January 31. It would be the same amount of days and give hunters a chance as the birds always show up late (last week of Jan-first week of Feb) due to changing weather conditions in our area."

The proposal to allow drones to assist hunters to recover game needs to be heavily regulated. As a licensed drone pilot and hunter I’m seriously concerned for the ethics of wild chase. My fear is that people will claim they’re looking for a dead deer but in reality scouting where a particular deer is bedded at night. This is worse than the use of trail cameras in my opinion because of the precise location. I do believe that drones can be of use to ethically find lost downed animals but there needs to be regulations in place to stop what I’ve stated above. Please give attention to this matter.

Both the proposals and legislative bills this year do not make the Sunday calendar any easier as requested by the Legislature. On behalf of all trail users and land owners, please take all Sundays off the hunting calendar so we (97% of Md population) can have one day of peace to enjoy our passions from trail riding to just sitting in our yards.

Comments Submitted - 2/23/2026

Allow the use of straight wall cartridges during muzzleloader season.

Increase the non-resident permit fee for sika deer to $300 and make non-residents earn preference points for sika deer. Please ban all e-bikes/e-vehicles on all pubic hunting land. They tear up trails, scare wildlife and introduce a financial privilege tier to public hunting.

To the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service. I am a former resident of Maryland who continues to visit the state every year to enjoy its forests, wetlands, and public lands. I am writing to respectfully oppose several proposals in the 2026–2028 hunting and trapping regulatory package that would increase harvest pressure on wildlife or expand opportunities for killing wild animals without clear ecological justification. First, I strongly oppose the proposal to increase the river otter bag limit in non-coastal counties. The proposal would increase the daily and seasonal bag limit in certain counties, justified by the claim that “otter populations are robust and can support additional harvest.” River otters are slow-reproducing mammals whose local populations can decline rapidly under trapping pressure. Even when statewide numbers appear stable, local family groups can be wiped out. Trapping methods commonly used for otters also raise serious animal-welfare concerns. The responsible course of action would be to decrease harvest limits or institute a temporary moratorium until long-term, transparent population monitoring demonstrates clear stability at the regional level. Second, I oppose the proposal to double the fisher bag limit from two to four per season and to extend the fisher trapping season from November 1 to February 1. Fishers are important forest predators that help maintain ecological balance. Increasing bag limits primarily to encourage participation in trapping is not a conservation goal. The precautionary approach would be to decrease harvest levels or consider a temporary moratorium until comprehensive population data are publicly available. Third, I urge strong caution regarding the proposal to align long-tailed weasel seasons with fisher seasons. The proposal itself notes concern about possible declines in long-tailed weasel populations. In that context, expanding trapping seasons—even while introducing a bag limit—risks additional mortality on a species whose status is uncertain. A moratorium on trapping long-tailed weasels should be considered until population trends are well understood. Fourth, I am concerned about proposals that expand hunting lethality through firearm rule changes, including modifying rifle energy requirements for deer and black bear. These changes broaden weapon access and can increase kill rates without demonstrating a biological need. Management decisions should be based on ecological necessity and non-lethal alternatives first, especially in a state where habitat loss, climate change, and road mortality already affect wildlife populations. Finally, policy changes designed to increase hunter participation, such as the proposed black bear lottery preference change, are troubling. Wildlife policy should not prioritize recruitment into hunting over the long-term health of wildlife populations and ecosystems. More broadly, it is time for state wildlife agencies to stop prioritizing those who participate in the recreational killing of wildlife and to begin developing sustainable funding models that reflect the full public who values wildlife alive—hikers, birdwatchers, photographers, students of natural history, and families who simply want to experience healthy ecosystems. Hunters and trappers represent a small minority of the population, yet regulations often appear designed primarily to serve their interests rather than true wildlife conservation. Maryland has an opportunity to lead by investing in funding mechanisms from non-consumptive users and by centering ecological integrity, humane coexistence, and biodiversity protection in its policies. Maryland’s wildlife belongs to all residents and visitors—not only to hunters and trappers. A precautionary approach is needed: • Decrease harvest limits for species such as river otters and fishers, and consider moratoria where population data are uncertain. • Institute a moratorium on long-tailed weasel trapping until population trends are clearly understood. • Conduct transparent population studies before allowing any increase in harvest quotas. • Prioritize non-lethal management tools and habitat restoration. • Include wildlife-watchers, educators, and conservationists in advisory processes. • Develop funding mechanisms from non-consumptive wildlife users so conservation is not tied primarily to hunting revenue. The public increasingly values wildlife alive and thriving—for ecological integrity, education, and simple wonder. Management decisions should reflect that shared responsibility. Thank you for considering these comments.

Bag limit for Canada goose should return to 2 per day please. Extend waterfowl season by two weeks at end of season. Increase whitetail deer season any way possible. Maybe for residents only. Thank you for allowing us all to hunt. It is appreciated.

Use of straight wall cartridges by UDP holders during the muzzle loader season has a lot of room to be taken advantage of in a negative way. Although straight wall cartridges have a similar range to a muzzle loader they do not take as much practice to be accurate and if the new regulation were not to be worded properly it would potentially open the season up to many straight wall platforms that are not single shot weapons

I live in Allegany County and hunt mostly in Garrett County and I believe it is time to think about increasing the antlerless bag limit for deer in region A. I live in Frostburg and work in Mount Savage and there are deer densities in that area that are similar or higher than we had in the 90's. Additionally, I hunt in Garrett County and on the last day of late muzzleloader season I saw 42 deer in one field in the evening. Deer hunting is my favorite thing to do and seeing a lot of deer while hunting is great but there are too many deer in most areas in Region A. If the herd continues to grow the way it currently is growing the deer and our well managed forests will suffer. The number of hunters on public land in Region A during the gun season has significantly declined over the past 10 or so years which likely has led to the rebound of the deer herds on public land. There were a lot of hunters from Pennsylvania hunting our public lands on the first weekend of rifle season every year until they moved their gun season opener to Saturday. I feel that there are not enough hunters to adequately manage the deer herds. Increasing the antlerless bag limit from 2 to 4 would hopefully help. Additionally, I would like to see Region A's antlered deer regulations change so that all antlered deer would have to have three points on a side to be harvested. The quality of the antlered deer in Region A is getting better every year and changing the antler restrictions would make it even better. I would also suggest that youth hunters and senior hunters not be required to follow antler restrictions. Thank you for your time."

I would like to see a yearly one buck limit in Region A for all weapon seasons combined.

Don't start bow season until October 1, of each year Allow crossbows only to be used during the Firearm and Muzzleloader seasons or give Crossbows there own season. They are more of a gun then they are a bow, Grow the deer herd on Public Lands espicially in Region A. Public lands in Region A are dismal."

Would like to see the resident goose population follow the same mapping boundary lines as the current Duck mapping boundaries . This would help control more of the resident goose population.

Yes to regulating drones. The devil being in the details, however. I don’t trust. Who’s gonna check them? How are you gonna check them? I think it’s better just not to have them at all and if you catch anybody with them, you take their license.. if you’re gonna be a hunter, you need to learn how to shoot game so that you don’t cripple it. A drone is just another excuse to take a bad shot.

I would like to see a yearly one buck limit in Region A for all weapon seasons combined.

I fully support the proposal to modify the current energy requirements for rifles allowed for deer hunting. The current restriction of 1,200 fpe prevents many deer hunters from using efficient and affordable popular straight wall caliber carbines such as 357 mag, 41 mag and even many factory loads of 44 mag, even though all of these rounds are fully capable of ethically harvesting deer and have been doing so for many decades in other states. This reg needs to change.

2 Geese, love the thanksgiving hunt, just like old times. All the ducks showed up the week after season closed like clock work. I’d rather have a week in February and cut it from early season. Thanks!

As a resident of the Lower Shore with 60 years of deer hunting experience, I will share my observations and concerns regarding regulation changes. Both the quantity and quality of the deer herd have decreased in recent years, yet farmers are often faced with increased crop damage that is frequently localized in some areas. WHY? Does DNR even know the population dynamics or just use an estimate based on harvest data? My summertime surveys suggest the buck to doe ratio is out of balance and some areas located near large tracts of land where hunters fail to harvest enough deer and particularly does is a great concern. Consider re-implementing a mandatory doe harvest in order for a hunter to purchase a bonus buck stamp(s). To minimize dishonest harvest reporting put teeth in enforcement that has meaning such as canceling deer hunting privileges for a year for those convicted of false reporting. Wildlife managers (i.e. National Deer Association - NDA) suggest increasing the doe harvest in October. The doe muzzleloader season would be a great opportunity to increase the doe kill to meet this requirement. In addition, the deer harvest and particularly the doe kill may be restricted by the common practice of baiting deer! This is known to cause deer to shift to nocturnal patterns and according to NDA eliminating baiting actually results in increased harvest rates. It has become a sad situation to see many “hunters” sit over a corn pile all season in hopes to kill a buck. Truth be known many hunters are forced to bait in an attempt to keep deer on their property. Please consider stopping all deer hunting over bait in the state, region or county during several months of the hunting season. Continue to restrict Sunday hunting on public lands. This is the only day I feel safe to enter these properties for enjoyment or scouting. Finally, using drones to recover wounded deer sounds great but it opens up the potential for massive abuse! Until such time that DNR has all the resources and commitment to fully monitor this practice it should not be allowed. Once permitted it opens up a “can of worms” that will likely never be corrected. What ever happen with asking an experienced hunter or even rely on a tracking dog to recover wounded deer? Drones are no different than a person entering private property and should only be done with pre-approval from the landowner!

No drones! They have no place in Hunting and can too easily be abused. Several times this year I observed a drone flying overhead while I was hunting. This is a technology that is taking off fast and the drone community is hiring lobbyist to get them legalized. This needs to be stopped now! I only have PG and Culvert County to comment on regarding my hunting experiences the last few years, but the Deer herd is in shambles. The buck age structure has gone completely down the tubes and Deer numbers in general are way too low. I believe over harvesting of bucks and using new technologies like cellular cameras are at fault. I think going to a one buck rule and possibly limiting cellular trail camera technology would have an overall great impact on the health of the herd as far as sex ratio and a healthy balanced age structure."

If antlered restrictions are imposed (Sika) then the antlerless only seasons should NOT apply.

Revisit overlapping waterfowl and muzzleloader seasons (any gun season) particularly in Sika deer areas. Too many people competing for game in the same area. Hunters disturb each other and the density of hunters create unsafe conditions.

Move November goose season from November to either December, January, or February.

Respond to written comments with rationale for agreement or disagreement. Summarize changes that result from public input. Give the recreational, non-commercial, licensed MD hunting resident the highest consideration and/or accommodation in regulatory changes.

How can the burden of purchasing a hunting license inclusive of ALL of the stamps and permits become less obtrusive financially and more convenient?

1 buck limit in region A

I’m 14 years old and I think we should have statewide Sunday hunting. I also think we should extend deer season by 2 weeks. Not many people hunt on weekdays because they all have jobs. They mostly hunt on weekends.

I believe the quality of deer hunting in region A would be greatly increased by changing at least region A to a one buck limit. A one buck limit would have tremendous benefits toward better herd management. One buck limits have proven to help other States create and maintain a quality deer herd that most hunters want to see. The benefits are wide spread for all hunters including public as well as private lands. "I think making Region A a 1 buck limit area would spark a larger doe harvest. Helping the Buck to doe ratio, and allowing 2 and 3 year olds to make it to a mature age. I dont hunt Region B and appreciate that the state recognizes that each region has its own management needs. " I believe there should be a lower antlered buck limit in region B to help grow bigger more mature bucks in the area

Shorter bow season, More bear tags for Landowners, change bear season to Middle of November, Shorten bag limits for deer one buck one doe , move primitive hunt to September with beginning of bow. Close Turkey season in Region A not many Turkeys.

Sunday hunting needs to be expanded to all counties for private land. The land owner should determine if Sunday hunting is allowed on their own property. Many people only can hunt on the weekend and this takes away half their weekend.

I believe that the wildlife in maryland have been mismanaged by dnr . I believe going to a one buck limit would be great for the quality of our whitetail heard . I also believe strong that the total bag limit for non residents should be much small like one buck and two antlerless per year. Sikas should have lower bag limit one stag per year and one antler should have atleast 2 points to be legal . Also mandatory check in for all non resident sika hunters

Maryland should change to a 1 bucks limit(at least in the western Maryland). Also add a doe tag on the base license, with an option to purchase an additional doe tag. Western Maryland's herd structuring needs addressed. The buck to doe ratio is very imbalanced for almost all parts of Garrett county. With the current regulations not allowing hunter to harvest the proper amount of does per season to make an impact. Maryland is missing a huge opportunity to boost income in rural communities during the fall. Furthermore, the state needs to flip early muzzleloader with bear season or overlap the two.

To Whom it May Concern, I am writing on behalf of our thousands of members and supporters in the state of Maryland to oppose certain proposals by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (“MDNR”) related to trapping of recovering and vulnerable mustelids in the state. Fishers (Pekania pennanti) are large, dark, long-haired members of the weasel family with short legs, small ears, and furry tails. They were previously extirpated from Maryland due excessive hunting and trapping, as well as habitat loss. Populations have begun to recover in parts of the state due in part to reintroduction efforts in nearby states. Fishers occur at low densities and have relatively low reproductive capacity compared with other furbearers, which, combined with the fact that fishers are easily trapped and susceptible to overharvest, necessitate that MDNR carefully regulate trapping seasons and monitor harvests and populations. Fall is an important time for fishers. They mate in early spring, but the females do not give birth until late February through March, and kits are dependent on their mothers until fall. Accordingly, the Center opposes MDNR’s proposal to increase bag limits from two fishers to four fishers per season, which would occur between mid-autumn to mid-winter (November 1st to February 1st), to encourage increased participation in fisher trapping. Fishers are ecologically vital carnivores that regulate ecosystems by controlling prey populations. MDNR should continue to allow and promote the recovery of these remarkable, elusive animals in the state rather than facilitate and promote additional killing. River otters (Lontra canadensis) were extirpated from the western part of the state due to overharvesting and habitat alteration, but began to recover in those areas due to successful reintroduction programs. Despite these recovery efforts, MDNR is proposing to increase the bag limit for river otters in western, non-coastal counties. As top predators, river otters play a critical role in establishing healthy, balanced aquatic ecosystems. They are also beloved by Maryland residents and wildlife watchers who seek out opportunities to view and photograph these amazing animals in the wild. Following efforts to recover river otters in western Maryland, the MDNR should prioritize protection and continued recovery, rather than facilitate additional trapping to the detriment of this beloved, ecologically important species. Lastly, while MDNR is taking steps to regulate trapping of long-tailed weasels (Mustela frenata) by proposing a bag limit, given acknowledged concerns and evidence of population decline in and beyond Maryland, MDNR should further curtail weasel trapping and focus on studying and obtaining reliable data on long-tailed weasel populations in the state to ensure management decisions are driven by science and ensure their continued viability. Thank you for your time. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. " DNR is failing with our wildlife management. Deer numbers are at an all time low in multiple counties throughout our state. I would suggest lowering buck bag limits and some type of visual check in method once again. Sika deer hunting for non resident should be by lottery only with 1 either sex tag(stag must meet APR) Two stags for resident with (one stag meeting APR) Spring turkey hunting dates should be pushed back to may 1st for non resident with only one bearded turkey for the entire season. A non resident turkey stamp should also be required. Crossbow hunting should be set during any muzzleloader or firearm season only unless you are a youth or disabled. Move the primitive season to the early (either sex) muzzleloader season. The current management plan is crippling the future of our sport. More non resident hunters flooding the state, more pressure, less quality hunts, less game, it’s time for Maryland to step up!

Im asking that DNR to really consider lowering the buck bag limit in Maryland. I don't want to get into the data that i have collected in my area over the last 10 years, it's very clear in my area that Predators and disease have done its damage. A 5 year bag limit chang across the state and studied to see exactly how the herd benefits. Add another youth weekend doe only to really impact the over population in those small areas that are really holding deer. Thank you for you time you took to read this."

Get rid of early muzzleloader doe only week do away with bonus deer stamp one tag for bow and one tag for either muzzleloader or firearms Get rid of the 1030 rule on Sundays to open every Sunday on private land 1 buck 3 does Garrett county

Region A needs to be 1 buck with 3 antler less limit.

I would like to see a yearly one whitetail antlered deer limit for all weapon seasons combined implemented in Maryland.

Please consider removing the proposed 4 hunting days scheduled for AP Goose Season from 11/24/26-11/27/26, and instead adding the 4 hunting days to 2/1/27-2/4/27. The AP geese are migrating later to many parts of Southern MD on both the Eastern and Western Shore. Later in the season geese begin using different areas for feeding as food sources become limited allowing for new hunting opportunities for folks as the birds spread out. I believe hunters will have a more equitable chance at harvesting birds in the AP zone across the respective zone hunting 4 additional days in February vs. the proposed 4 days in late November. The Youth/Military hunt in February would also not be affected. Thank you for your respectful consideration.

No no no to any further sika deer regulation much less point restriction. Current restrictions are more than enough for an exotic. Especially when the recommendation is based on similarities with whitetail deer where there are no similarities..1 little one a year gestation.need older hinds to produce. Never would you want to put that kind of pressure on the hind population. More regulation seems like it would be to just appease a small base of hunters in the sika community not on actual scientific basis. Please move youth turkey season back a week .. Why would you ever let a season start right before the general season to educate birds and stack cards against general hunters.this is simply not even remotely logical. Move it back 1 week.Give everybody a chance. You could argue youth season for turkey wouldn't even be necessary that close together , If you're gonna do it , at least not have it ruin the opening part of the general season. Limit needs to be put to 1 really. Certain areas , the birds are losing the battle to predation and disease. Obviously as stated Sunday hunting is out of the conversation but when it is revisited for waterfowl. it should never , ever happen on the eastern shore of maryland. It failed the last 2 times it was voted on even for sea ducks only a mile offshore and I welcomed the idea..but correctly it will never work. With the majority of land owners here and trying to convince them to let you hunt on Saturdays and current blind site regs being less than 300 yd off shore, they will not put up with it on Saturday and Sunday both. I've been hunting, here for 50 years and the current days have worked for all that time and i believe my polling landowners is accurate. wether believe it or not. Regardless of corporate america pushing its $ agenda .Be too much pressure. Regards"

In no way , should you have to report to authorities to revover a downed deer with a drone . if you're trying to get on a deer recovery.. never. No different than recreational flying. Either allow them to be used or not.

Definitely support one buck limit! Crazy it hasn’t already been the law

I believe we should go to a 2 buck maximum limit in region B.

I am against the restriction and regulation on harvesting rays. There needs to be a 2 buck limit on total tags for the year. Something needs to be done about the Turkey population. Better habitat management on state lands, as well as no more harvesting hens. Also believe a 1 bird limit for the season would be beneficial.

Iam %100 in favor of a one buck limit in region A

I thing that DNR should not promote the use of drones for deer recovery. It will create more problems than it will help. My Neighbor hire a drone operator to look for a deer. Later He called me and said we had a lot of nice bucks on farm. You are giving the people the right to trespass by air. Drones are also being used to move birds. Hunting has made it all these years without them.

Drones should be outlawed except for the purpose of recovering deer or other wild game.

1. I’m completely in favor of seeing Region B antlered deer limit decreased to 2 per person. This would help increase the over age structure of the deer herd. This would force hunters to be more conservative with tags and focus on more mature deer. All states that have dropped to a 1-2 antlered tag limit have seen a major improvement in deer herd age structure and hunters experience. 2. I’m completely in favor of limiting drone use. We were late to establish laws on this issue as most states already have drone laws in place. However the use of drones to aid in a hunt any form is completely unethical. The most important piece of information that could help a hunter harvest an animal is a visual sighting of that animal. When done via drone the deer has no natural defense as they are unaware a drone is surveying them. With boots on the ground scouting and even trail cameras an animal is able to detect danger and react appropriately with the use of drones, this is not the case. 3.I could be reading this incorrectly but it appears DNR wants the bearded turkey bag limit reduced to 1 per season. If that is the case I’m in complete disagreement of that. There are plenty of wild turkeys to go around and most would tag out the first day of the season. This is an issue because when paying for a full season hunting license wild turkey is not an add on and is factor into the cost. Meaning hunters pay the cost of the license but can only hunt 1 day of the spring. I’m not sure there where that idea came from, I speculate that it’s because hunter harvest are down. If that’s the case I’d argue hunter harvest are low because there are more people turkey hunting now than ever and the birds have become accustomed to the pressure. It’s not that there is less beards, it’s that they are more pressured birds. Pressured animals are hard to harvest simple as that. Lastly on the topics of turkey, if the state should do anything to improve Turkey population, the state should implement a Turkey stamp that hunters purchase as an add on. However, ALL money accrued from the purchase of Turkey stamps should go directly towards projects to improve turkey habitat and population rehabilitation. If the state fails to do so they should be held accountable. An example of turkey habit improvements by the state would be prescribed burns for certain locations. 4.in relation to Cow-Nose Rays. I see no need to regulate the harvest of Cow Nose Rays. I spend majority of my spring and summer on the water fishing and I know many other fishermen who do the same. We all unanimously agree that there are more Cow Nose Rays now than ever. We watch them travel the Chesapeake bay in schools of 1000 or more. It’s nothing to catch 50 cow nose rays on hook and line a day as a bicatch without targeting them. If any regulation should be placed we should be trying to figure out how to lower the population not improve it. 5. LASTLY, I would like to propose the State consider turning Non- Resident Big Game hunting for Turkey and Deer to a Draw system unless you are a landowner. With the FAD of public land hunting becoming so popular, there is an influx of out of state hunters across the nation. This is something numerous states across have the country have implemented for this very reason. We are very grateful for the amount of public land we have available in the state of Maryland. However residents hardly get access to it because of the influx of Non-residents. On any given day during rifle or muzzleloader season if you ride through public locations you will notice nearly all license plates are out of state hunters. This is an issue that should be looked into. There are numerous states across the country who have regulations similar to this we can look into for reference. "

Yes on Allow the use of straight-walled cartridge rifles during the muzzleloader seasons for those hunters with a Universal Disability Pass that are hunting from a vehicle.

I am requesting MD DNR to consider decreasing the Buck limit.

Move muzzleloader season two weeks after the gun season. Turkey season on the eastern shore should be open a week earlier then rest of state. If possible put pressure on WV DNR to lower non-resident hunting license fees. Md. gives WV hunters a big break on non-resident licenses.

On the use of drones. If given a choice I welcome strict regulations on using drones for deer recovery. However, I do not think they should be allowed at all. It will get abused. Even if you use a drone for just deer recovery it will still show the user where the live deer are and that will be a problem. We already allow tracking dogs so drones are just not necessary. Greg

If dnr doesn't control sunday hunting it should be posted who does so people know who to contact.