Maryland Hunting License - Steps to Buy in MD July

Maryland law is clear: due to state regulations, junior licensees and other first-time hunters (born on or after July 1, 1977) must complete hunter education unless they held a license before that date.

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Maryland hunting license:

Step 1: Complete the online Hunter Education Certification course and obtain a state-issued Hunter Education Card
Step 2: Select your license type using the hunting compass for guidance
Step 3: Buy your Maryland Department of Natural Resources license through an online purchase or in-person through a licensed agent.

MD Hunter Education Certification

How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)

You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Maryland.

Complete an in-person course through the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service. Persons under the age of 13 must choose this option. This option is frequently referred to as “Classroom Course”, “In-Person Training” or “Traditional”
If you're over 13, you may do a hybrid course with the online course offered through a Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service exclusive partner. After finishing their online course, you will have to do a one-day, in-person, Field Day Workshop (FDW) in order to demonstrate competency.
Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course.

The Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service website states that "Maryland accepts hunter education certifications from all other U.S. States. If you possess a hunter education certificate/card from another state, it will be accepted in Maryland as satisfying the “Certification of Competency in Firearms and Hunter Safety” requirement for purchasing a hunting license and a Maryland Hunter Safety Education class will not be required." Thus, our course would satisfy this.

What makes our course the best?

First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they simply love it that much.

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course. We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online with our IHEA-approved course.

After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 U.S. states (including Alabama), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.

Select Your Maryland Hunting License

Maryland offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences.

Maryland residents and non-residents under 16 years old may purchase a junior hunting license with the written permission of a parent or guardian.

Maryland residents who are under 16 years old and who successfully complete a hunter education course are eligible for a one-time free hunting license. This also includes the Archery Stamp and Muzzleloader Stamp.

Below is an overview of the primary license types available:

Resident Licenses

A resident is a person whose permanent home is in Maryland. Active-duty military members stationed in Maryland are considered residents. All Maryland residents must have a resident hunting license.

Regular Hunting License – Required for Maryland residents aged 16 to 64 to hunt all legal game species.
Junior Hunting License – Available for residents under age 16; requires written permission from a parent or guardian.
Senior Hunting License – Available to residents aged 65 and older; may be purchased in the calendar year in which the resident turns 65.
Apprentice Hunting License – A one-time license for residents of any age who have not previously held a hunting license; allows hunting under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter.
Senior Lifetime Consolidated License – No longer issued, but existing holders are grandfathered and retain privileges for hunting and fishing without needing additional stamps, except for certain species-specific permits.

Non-Resident Licenses

All non-residents must have a non-resident hunting license, which must comply with Maryland regulations.

Regular Hunting License – Required for non-residents aged 16 to 64 to hunt all legal game species, with applicable fees.
Junior Hunting License – Available for non-residents under age 16; requires written permission from a parent or guardian.
Senior Hunting License – Available to non-residents aged 65 and older; may be purchased in the calendar year in which the non-resident turns 65.
3-Day Waterfowl and Small Game License – Allows non-residents to hunt all legal game except deer, bear, and turkey for three consecutive legal hunting days.

Youth Licenses & Requirements

Junior Hunting License – Available for residents and non-residents under age 16; requires written permission from a parent or guardian.
Hunter Education Requirement – All first-time hunters, regardless of age, must complete a state-approved hunter education course and learn how to use a compass before obtaining a hunting license.
Apprentice Hunting License – A one-time license for individuals who have not previously held a hunting license; allows hunting under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter.

Senior Licenses & Discounts

Senior Hunting License – Available to residents and non-residents aged 65 and older; may be purchased in the calendar year in which the individual turns 65.
Senior Lifetime Consolidated License – No longer issued, but existing holders are grandfathered and retain privileges for hunting and fishing without needing additional stamps, except for certain species-specific permits.

Lifetime Licenses

Complimentary Lifetime Hunting License – Available to Maryland residents who are former prisoners of war or 100% service-connected disabled veterans; includes necessary stamps and permits for hunting.

Disability & Military Licenses

Universal Disability Pass – Allows individuals with mobility impairments to hunt from a vehicle; requires appropriate documentation.
Complimentary Lifetime Hunting License – Available to Maryland residents who are former prisoners of war or 100% service-connected disabled veterans; includes necessary stamps and permits for hunting.
Military Exemption – Maryland residents on active duty military leave are exempt from hunting license requirements while hunting, provided they carry proper identification and leave orders.

Required Endorsements & Tags

Archery Stamp – Required to hunt deer during archery seasons.
Muzzleloader Stamp – Required to hunt deer during muzzleloader season.
Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp – Required to take an additional antlered deer.
Sika Deer Stamp – Required to hunt sika deer.
Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp – Required to hunt migratory game birds, including waterfowl, doves, and woodcock.
Federal Duck Stamp – Required for all waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older.
Furbearer Permit – Required to hunt, chase, or trap furbearers.
Bear Hunting Permit – Required to hunt black bears; available through a lottery system.
Public Hunting Permit – Required to hunt on certain public lands.
Regulated Shooting Area Permit – Required to hunt on regulated shooting areas.

MD Hunting licenses are good from the date of issue to July 31. The license year is from Aug. 1 to July 31 of the next year.

Where to buy your Maryland Hunting License

To hunt in Maryland, you can purchase your license online via the COMPASS Licensing Portal or in person at an authorized vendor. The full list of license agents is available on the Maryland DNR License Agent Directory.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Maryland:

Albright's Gun Shop – Easton, MD Address: 36 E Dover St, Easton, MD 21601 Phone: (410) 820-8811
Shore Sportsman – Easton, MD Address: 8232 Ocean Gateway, Easton, MD 21601 Phone: (410) 820-5599
Wink's Sporting Goods – Princess Anne, MD Address: 12122-A Carol Lane, Princess Anne, MD 21853 Phone: (410) 621-0400
Sea Hawk Sport Center – Pocomoke, MD Address: 643 Ocean Hwy, Pocomoke, MD 21851 Phone: (410) 957-0198
Bahia Marina – Ocean City, MD Address: 2107 Herring Way, Ocean City, MD 21842 Phone: (410) 289-7438

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?

Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.

How much does it cost to get your Hunter Education Certificate?

$29. We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, all major credit cards, and signature debit cards. We also offer a 100% money-back guarantee.

Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Maryland?

Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Maryland and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service website states that "Maryland accepts hunter education certifications from all other U.S. States. If you possess a hunter education certificate/card from another state, it will be accepted in Maryland as satisfying the “Certification of Competency in Firearms and Hunter Safety” requirement for purchasing a hunting license and a Maryland Hunter Safety Education class will not be required." Thus, our course with HunterSafetyUSA would satisfy this.

Maryland Hunting License - Steps to Buy Your MD License & Tags