Junior Deer Hunt Days offer a premier opportunity for hunters to mentor the next generation
Photo by Kelly Ann Karwoski
Maryland’s 2026 Junior Deer Hunt will be open November 14 statewide and in certain counties on Sunday, November 15. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources encourages experienced deer hunters to introduce and mentor young people to help ensure the sustainability of conservation and our hunting heritage.
The Junior Deer Hunt is open on private and designated public land in all counties on November 14. The season is also open on Sunday, November 15 on private land in all counties except Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George’s counties. Also on November 15, junior hunters in Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester counties may hunt on designated public lands.
“As hunter numbers continue to decline across much of the country, Junior Deer Hunt Days play a vital role in introducing youth to hunting and sustaining the tradition for future generations,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “With mild weather and peak deer activity around breeding season, these days provide young outdoor enthusiasts an excellent opportunity to harvest a deer, make lifelong memories, and spend time in the great outdoors.”
Hunters aged 16 years or younger who are interested in participating must possess a valid hunting license. Last year, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources introduced an updated online licensing system, MD Outdoors, including a new free mobile app of the same name. Licenses and stamps may be purchased through the licensing system (online or via the app), at a licensing agent, or by calling the department’s Licensing and Registration Service at 866-344-8889.
Youth hunters looking to pursue sika deer must purchase a sika hunting stamp as well. An antlered sika is defined as a sika deer with at least one antler visible above the hairline.
Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old who holds a valid Maryland hunting license. Adults may serve as mentors only and cannot possess a hunting device while accompanying a junior hunter. Hunters who are not serving as mentors for a junior deer hunter may participate in other open hunting seasons during the junior deer hunt days. All hunters, including archery and other game hunters, are required to wear blaze orange or pink during the youth hunt dates.
The bag limits for the Junior Deer Hunt Days are:
- One antlered or antlerless white-tailed deer in Region A;
- Three white-tailed deer in Region B, with no more than one antlered; and
- One antlered or one antlerless sika deer.
Deer taken by youth hunters during the two days do not count toward regular archery, firearm, or muzzleloader bag limits. They are also exempt from the antler point restriction. Season dates, bag limits, hunting regulations, and registration procedures can be found in the Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping.
Hunters should carefully inspect all tree stands and always wear a full-body safety harness while in the stand and while climbing in or out. The department strongly recommends using a sliding knot, commonly known as a prusik knot, attached to a line that is secured above the stand that allows the hunter to be safely tethered to the tree as soon as they leave the ground.
New this year, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has established regulations for the use of drones (unmanned aircraft systems). Although using drones to locate and recover wounded or expired game is legal, it is illegal to use a drone to hunt, trap, or pursue any wildlife. Hunters must contact Natural Resources Police at 800-628-9944 before and after searching for any wounded or expired animal.
Hunters are encouraged to help others by donating deer taken in Maryland to food banks. A state tax credit offers hunters an incentive for donated deer. Other local or state programs are also available so hunters should check with their deer processors for more information.
