ANNAPOLIS — Maryland’s Atlantic Population Canada goose hunting season begins Friday, December 19, 2025, offering waterfowlers two split segments in the AP Zone: December 19 through January 3, 2026, and January 14 through January 31, 2026.
The daily bag limit throughout the AP Zone is one goose per hunter, with a possession limit of three.
“Canada geese are one of Maryland’s iconic gamebirds and the sounds of migrating geese are a sign that fall has arrived,” said Karina Stonesifer, director of the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service. “A Maryland Canada goose hunt is a great opportunity to reconnect with family and friends or introduce a new hunter to the tradition.”
Separate late-season resident Canada goose hunting continues in designated southern and western zones under more liberal bag limits.
In the newly redefined Late Southern Maryland Resident Goose Zone — covering Montgomery County, the portion of Prince George’s County west of Routes 3 and 301, and the portion of Charles County west of Route 301 — hunters may take five geese per day during these periods:
- November 22-28, 2025
- December 15-18, 2025
- January 5-13, 2026
- February 2 through March 7, 2026
Bag limit drops to one goose per day during the overlapping migratory segments: December 19-January 3, 2026, and January 14-31, 2026.
The Late Western Maryland Resident Canada Goose Zone — Allegany, Garrett, Washington, Frederick, and the portion of Carroll County west of Route 31 to Route 97 and west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line — remains open November 22-28, 2025, and December 15, 2025, through March 7, 2026, with a daily bag of five geese and possession limit of 15.
All waterfowl hunters age 16 and older must possess a Maryland migratory game bird stamp, federal duck stamp, and Harvest Information Program registration in addition to a valid hunting license. Junior hunters under 16 are exempt from federal stamp requirements.
Licenses, stamps and permits are available online through the MD Outdoors COMPASS portal, at DNR service centers in Annapolis, Bel Air and Solomons, or at more than 250 sport license agents across the state.
Detailed zone maps, blind site information and public land hunting opportunities are posted on the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service waterfowl page at dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife. Hunters with questions may call 410-260-8540 weekdays.