Hunting And Outdoor Sports
Maryland’s 2025 Archery Deer Season Opens September 5
Maryland DNR announces expanded archery opportunities and updated licensing system for 2025–26 deer season
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Annapolis, Maryland
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed that the states 2025 archery deer season for white-tailed and sika deer will open on September 5 and run through January 31, 2026, with breaks to accommodate muzzleloader and firearms seasons. The announcement marks the start of a season that many hunters see as the first major opportunity of the year to get into the field. In addition to the standard archery season, hunters will have access to the fourth annual Primitive Deer Hunt Days, scheduled for February 24, 2026. These dates are specifically designated for archers using traditional vertical longbows and recurves, giving enthusiasts of traditional equipment more days afield. DNR has emphasized that archery hunting will be available on multiple Sundays in most counties, including select public lands. Hunters are urged to consult the 20252026 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping for specific regional details, dates, and closures to ensure compliance with all regulations. The bag limits and restrictions vary by region. On the Eastern Shore (Region B), hunters may harvest up to 15 antlerless white-tailed deer during archery season. The statewide antlered white-tailed deer bag limit is set at two, with no more than one harvested in any weapon season. Hunters may purchase a Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp, allowing them either to take two antlered deer in the same weapon season or a third antlered deer in that season under certain conditions. However, antler-point restrictions remain in place, requiring that any additional antlered deer harvested must have at least three points on one antler, with exemptions provided for junior hunters and apprentice license holders aged 16 or younger. Sika deer hunters must now purchase a separate sika hunting stamp in addition to the archery stamp. The sika bag limit is three, with no more than one antlered deer. An antlered sika is defined as any deer with at least one antler visible above the hairline, and the season is open in every county. Hunters must accurately report harvest methods, classifying deer taken with compound, recurve, or longbows as vertical bow harvests, while crossbow hunters should register accordingly. This reporting is critical for biologists studying harvest trends and hunter preferences across the state. Safety remains a priority for DNR, which has strongly encouraged hunters to inspect all tree stands prior to the season. Hunters are advised to wear full-body harnesses and use safety lines when climbing into or out of stands. The use of a prusik knot on a secured line is recommended to ensure tethering from the moment a hunter leaves the ground until they return. For 2025, Maryland is also rolling out an updated online licensing system, MD Outdoors, complete with a new mobile app designed to simplify the purchase and renewal process. Licenses and stamps can now be purchased online, via the app, at licensing agents, or by phone through the departments Licensing and Registration Service. DNRs Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer noted that archery season is not only an opportunity for recreation but also plays a vital role in deer population management across the state. The archery season is the first chance a deer hunter gets in the 202526 season to pursue a deer and be a vital part of deer management in Maryland, she said.