Maryland is a sleeper state when it comes to hunting value. Deer season opens in early September and goes out in early February, with multiple buck tags available. Maryland has a spring turkey season with a two-gobbler limit, a fall season, and, unbeknownst to many, a winter season that runs from January 22-24, a time period when both sika and whitetail deer are also a possibility.
Flocks of Gobblers
At this time of year, gobblers are mostly in bachelor groups, so if you find evidence of turkeys in snow or feeding sights, it’s likely that you will have multiple targets to choose from. At this time of year, turkeys are mostly focused on food, especially if they can find agricultural foods, like cornfields or soybeans that have been poorly harvested. If you can find such a hot spot, you can beat the cold weather by popping up a blind to keep warm add extra concealment.
Rescout for Fall
Scouting for turkeys is a great way to scout for late deer sign. With yearling does coming into estrus for the first time, mature bucks will ignite their mating tactics, and you may encounter a buck chasing a doe. The picture above was taken in mid-April, and the shreds of bark were fresh, indicating there was still a buck in rut mode.
Huge Tracts of Public Land
- Savage River State Forest: Large expanse in Garrett County with oak/hickory, great for a wilderness feel.
- Green Ridge State Forest: Largest block of public land in MD, hardwood forests, ridges.
- Dan’s Mountain WMA: In Allegany County, a huge turkey population, mixed hardwoods.
- Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA: Offers steep slopes and oak forests.
- Patuxent River State Park: 5,000+ acres on the upper Patuxent River.
- Pocomoke State Forest: Eastern Shore option with pine/hardwood mix, river access.
- Myrtle Grove WMA: Bottomland/wetland habitat with upland forests.
- Gunpowder Falls State Park / North Point State Park: Accessible options.
If you want to explore a new state to hunt in 2026, consider Maryland. It has a huge tourism industry, with beaches, bustling cities, and western mountains for skiing and other winter sports. Maryland offers special seasons and licenses for youngsters, and you can take all game species on a single license. For a digital Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland, click here.
