10 Best Places To Hunt in Maryland
Maryland is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It was founded by George Calvert and was one of the original thirteen colonies of England.
Also called the “Old Line State” in honor of the heroic Maryland regiment (or line) in the American Revolution, the state covers about 12,406 square miles. Its territory consists of various topography including sand dunes, marshland, rolling hills, and rugged mountains.
Maryland is home to various huntable species including Sika and Whitetail Deer, Turkey, different waterfowl, upland birds, and other small game.
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Unforgettable Hunts in the Old Line State
Deciding where to hunt in the Old Line State can be difficult. Read through this article to find the best places to hunt in Maryland, what climate to prepare for, what game animals you can expect, and who to contact for guided hunting services in the area.
1. Chesapeake Bay: Waterfowl, Turkey, and Sika Deer
Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the U.S. It’s located in the Mid-Atlantic region and spans about 4470 square miles.
Summer in and around the bay area is wet, muggy, and warm while winter is snowy, windy, and very cold. Temperatures usually fall between 29°F to 86°F and are rarely below 18°F or above 93°F.
Several species of waterfowl can be spotted in the bay including sea ducks, diver ducks, puddle ducks, Canadian geese, and more. The area around the bay is also inhabited by populations of Spring Turkey and Sika Deer. Black Duck Outfitters is one of the many outfitting services offering guided hunts in the bay area.
2. Talbot: Waterfowl, Turkey, and Deer
Talbot is a county in east-central Maryland, in the heart of the Eastern Shore. The county adjoins three bodies of water making it a great place to hunt waterfowl.
The county gets about 46 inches of rain and about 12 inches of snow per year. Summer temperatures can go up to 88 °F in July and dip to around 28 °F in January.
The county and areas surrounding it are home to populations of Canadian geese, sea ducks, and turkeys as well as whitetail and Sika Deer. You can contact Talbot County Outfitters for guided hunts involving the above-mentioned animals. This company operates on private land specifically chosen for the quality of its deer.
3. Assateague Island National Seashore:
The Atlantic Flyway is a major north-south flyway for migratory birds. It starts in Greenland and ends in the tropical areas of South America and the Caribbean. In Maryland, the flyway route goes through Assateague Island National Seashore.
The climate in Assateague is usually windier and cooler than the mainland during winter, spring, and summer and becomes warmer in fall. Weather in the area tends to change quickly so be sure to check forecasts before visiting.
You can contact B & J Guide Service for guided hunts in the area. This company specializes in hunting various waterfowl and whitetail deer.
4. Dorchester: Sika Deer
Dorchester is a county located in the central part of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The county is mainly a low-lying, marshy peninsula extending into the bay and includes Barren, Bloodsworth, James, and Hooper islands.
The county gets about 46 inches of rain and about 10 inches of snow per year. Summer temperatures can go up to about 89 °F in July and drop down to about 28 °F in January.
If you’re interested in hunting Sika Deer with a bow, you can contact Muddy Marsh Outfitters. This outfitting service provides guided hunts on 1,500 – 2,000 acres of private property where they set up their stands.
5. Kent: Waterfowl, Deer, Turkey, and More
Kent is the least populated county in Maryland with just over 20,000 residents in 2010. It’s located in Maryland’s Eastern Shore and consists of a coastal plain bordered by the Sassafras River (north), Delaware (east), the Chester River (south), and Chesapeake Bay (west).
Summer temperatures in Kent county can go up to about 87 °F in July while winter temperatures can drop down to about 26 °F in January. The county gets about 45 inches of rain and about 14 inches of snow per year.
Kent county has several game animal species you can hunt including waterfowl, Whitetail Deer, turkey, upland birds, doves, and small game. Schrader’s Outdoors LLC offers opportunities to hunt these animals as well as accommodations in their Bridgetown Manor.
6. Queen Anne’s: Whitetail Deer, Waterfowl, and Turkey
Queen Anne’s is a county located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The county is mostly coastal lowland and includes Kent Island and Tuckahoe State Park.
Summer in Queen Anne’s is muggy and warm while winter is windy, snowy, and very cold. Temperatures usually fall between 28°F to 86°F and are rarely below 16°F or above 93°F.
As with most counties in Maryland’s Eastern Shore, populations of waterfowl, Whitetail Deer, Sika deer, and turkey can be found in Queen Anne’s. If you’re looking for hunting opportunities in this county, you can contact Winter Farms Hunting.
7. Newark: Waterfowl, Deer, and Turkey
Newark, MD is a census-designated place (CDP) in Maryland. The area covers just 9.6 square miles and had just 339 residents in the year 2000.
The area gets around 44 inches of rain and just 8 inches of snow per year. Summer temperatures can go up to 86 °F in July while winter temperatures can go down to 28 °F in January.
If you’re looking to hunt in Newark, you can contact Argyle Farms. This company specializes in hunting waterfowl, deer, and turkey on 83 secluded acres near Assateague Bay in Newark.
8. Caroline: Waterfowl, Dove, Turkey, and Deer
Caroline is a rural county in Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Spanning just 537 square miles, Caroline is the second smallest county in the state.
The county receives about 45 inches of rain and around 14 inches of snow per year. Summer temperatures can go up to 87 °F in July, while winter temperatures can go down to 26 °F in January.
If you’re looking to hunt waterfowl, dove, spring turkey, or deer in Caroline county, feel free to contact Harrison’s Outfitters. This company not only provides guided hunts for the above-mentioned animals but can also help you make arrangements for quality lodging, recommend restaurants, and sporting goods stores.
9. Harford: Upland Birds
Straddling the border between the Piedmont Plateau and the Atlantic Coastal Plain in the county of Harford. Covering an area of 527 square miles, the county sits between rolling hills and coastal flatlands.
Just like in most other Maryland counties, Harford’s hottest month is July with temperatures going up to about 88 °F. The county’s coldest month is January with temperatures going down to around 25 °F. Harford gets around 46 inches of rain and just 19 inches of snow per year.
If you’re looking to hunt some upland birds with your loyal furry companion, you can contact Mason-Dixon Game Outfitters. This company offers guided hunts that let you bring along your trained hunting dog and offers gun dog training as well.
10. Courthouse Point Managed Hunting Area
Courthouse Point MHA is located south of Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This area is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leased to the Department of Natural Resources for wildlife management and recreation.
Being situated in Cecil county, Courthouse Point MHA gets around 46 inches of rain and about 15 inches of snow a year. Temperatures can go up to around 87 °F in July and dip down to around 24 °F in January.
Hunting in the area is permitted during legal hunting seasons and no reservations are needed, as long as you get a Public Hunting Permit. Huntable species include waterfowl, turkey, and deer. You can click here for more information about hunting in Courthouse Point MHA, including how to get your free Public Hunting Permit.
