Maryland waterfowl season brings the Chesapeake Bay to life each fall and winter, as ducks, geese, and tundra swans move along the Atlantic Flyway. Around Rock Hall, the marshes and open water near Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge make this one of the best places on the Eastern Shore to experience the migration. Whether you’re planning a Maryland duck hunting trip or simply want to watch thousands of birds gather along the Bay, this is a remarkable time to visit.
You don’t need a shotgun to enjoy Maryland waterfowl season. Around Rock Hall, fall and winter are ideal for birding at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, walking quiet trails, and enjoying fresh oysters and waterfront dining. Hunters can arrange Chesapeake Bay duck hunting with local guides, while non-hunters will find plenty of other things to do in Rock Hall, MD, in the fall, from exploring downtown to catching live music. If you’re visiting in November, the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, MD, is also a worthwhile addition to the list of things to do on the Eastern Shore.
Our Bed and Breakfast in Maryland sits on 70 acres along Eastern Neck Road, less than 10 minutes from Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, which means nature is part of the experience from the moment you arrive. Guests at Bed and Breakfast can enjoy waterfront grounds, a private dock, walking trails, and views of resident and migratory birds before heading out for a day in the blind or exploring the refuge. Book your stay and join us for Maryland waterfowl season!
Maryland Waterfowl Season: How To Plan Your Hunt
Rock Hall lies along the Atlantic Flyway, one of North America’s major migratory bird routes. Each fall and winter, ducks, geese, and tundra swans move through the Chesapeake Bay region, where tidal marsh, cropland, grassland, and open water provide important feeding and resting habitat. Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, a 2,285-acre island at the confluence of the Chester River and Chesapeake Bay, is especially notable. Refuge staff and volunteers have recorded peak concentrations of more than 20,000 waterfowl nearby. That’s part of what makes Maryland duck hunting so closely associated with this corner of the Eastern Shore, and why Maryland waterfowl season is equally exciting for birders.
So when is duck season in Maryland? The Eastern Zone Maryland duck hunting season, which includes Kent County and Rock Hall, typically runs in multiple splits from fall through winter. The daily bag limit and species-specific limits can change from year to year. Maryland goose season follows its own schedule, with separate opportunities for migratory and resident Canada geese, while teal also has an early-season hunt. Because season dates, bag limits, and other regulations are set annually, always check Maryland DNR’s current Guide to Hunting and Trapping before you hunt.
Sea duck hunting in Maryland deserves its own mention, even though sea ducks no longer have a separate hunting season. Scoters, long-tailed ducks, and eiders may be taken during the regular Maryland duck season, and Maryland has retained its designated Sea Duck Zone. Sea ducks count toward the regular duck bag limit and are subject to additional species-specific limits, so hunters should confirm the current regulations before heading out. Maryland DNR specifically identifies Eastern Bay and the lower Chester River among prominent areas where the Sea Duck Zone does not overlap the Offshore Waterfowl Hunting Zone, putting opportunities for Chesapeake Bay duck hunting within reach of a Rock Hall stay.
There are important special-zone rules for Maryland waterfowl season, too: while hunting in the Sea Duck Zone, nonresident hunters must be accompanied by a Maryland resident, and hunters must follow state-mandated distance requirements from shore, roads, bridges, causeways, and other waterfowl hunters. Because these requirements can change, check the current Sea Duck Zone regulations before your trip. If you’re new to waterfowl hunting in Maryland, a licensed guide or outfitter can help with local conditions and regulations. When booking, confirm exactly what is included, such as the boat, decoys, equipment, and meeting location. A Maryland hunting license is required unless you qualify for an exemption, and migratory game bird hunters must meet the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp and HIP requirements. Waterfowl hunters may also need a Federal Duck Stamp, depending on age and current regulations. Maryland’s licensing system is available through MD Outdoors, and DNR offers licensing options for nonresident waterfowl hunters.
During Maryland waterfowl season, regular duck-shooting hours generally begin before sunrise and end around sunset, with some special seasons following different schedules. Sunday hunting rules and other season-specific regulations can also change, so check Maryland DNR before planning your hunt. Between hunts, make time for a walk at Eastern Neck, a long lunch in Chestertown, or a day trip to the Easton Waterfowl Festival. Duck hunting season in Maryland means early alarms and cold mornings, so confirm your guide’s departure time and dress for wind and wet conditions.
A Bed and Breakfast in Maryland Minutes From the Refuge
Before becoming a Bed and Breakfast, our property spent part of its life as a hunt club, drawn to this part of the Eastern Shore for its abundant waterfowl and game. Today, our Bed and Breakfast in Maryland spans 70 acres with waterfront grounds, a private dock, and a pond that keep guests connected to the landscape throughout their stay. Choose one of five guest rooms in the Manor House, including the Huntingfield Room, where hunt-print fabrics, original European hunting art, and a king bed nod to the estate’s sporting past and Maryland waterfowl season, or settle into one of seven private cottages. In the evening, enjoy complimentary premium wine, beer, and homemade salted chocolate chip cookies.
Then there’s breakfast, served in a communal style each morning in the Main House, with regular offerings including farm-fresh eggs, two premium breakfast meats, local fruit, LeBus sourdough toast, a daily sweet, and gourmet coffee. On a leisurely birding morning, a Sunday when migratory-bird hunting is closed, or after an early outing, our breakfast will set you up for a day at Eastern Neck or exploring more of the Eastern Shore. Maryland waterfowl season only comes once a year, and Rock Hall offers a rare chance to experience it from both sides, in the field and from the comfort of a waterfront retreat. Check our availability and book your stay at our Bed and Breakfast in Maryland for your fall or winter getaway.
