Must Know: The season runs from April 18 - May 23, and Youth Days are April 16 statewide and April 17 in select counties. The bag limit is one bearded turkey per day and two bearded turkeys per season. Written permission is required when hunting on private property unless the owner or lessee is in the hunting party. The state provides thousands of acres of public land located in all counties that can be used[...]

Maryland’s Turkey Hotspots One of the premier turkey hunting destinations in Maryland is Savage River State Forest. Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains of Western Maryland, Savage River State Forest boasts vast expanses of woodland, providing ample habitat for wild turkeys. The forest's rugged terrain offers challenging conditions, making it a favorite among experienced hunters seeking a true wilderness experience. With its abundance of oak and hickory trees, the forest provides plentiful food sources for turkeys[...]

As spring unfolds in Maryland, late-season turkey hunting presents its own set of challenges and opportunities for improving your technique. While the early season may be marked by the excitement of gobblers responding eagerly to calls and decoys, late-season hunting requires a different approach. Here’s a guide to finding success in the late season, focusing on patience and tactics that don't rely on calling or decoys. Finding Them During the late season, turkeys often change[...]

Maryland’s fall turkey season is right around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to stock up for the holidays with a fresh harvest. Make your plans now! The fall turkey season is short (October 27th through November 4th) and is only in Western Maryland. However, what a fantastic time to head out to Western Maryland for some great hunting and to experience the beauty of the region's landscapes and fall foliage. Here’s everything[...]

Turkeys usually conjure images of colorful leaves and crisp fall days, but with the arrival of spring comes the start of turkey hunting in Maryland. Spring turkey season begins April 18, 2018 and lasts through May 23rd, with a special youth turkey season scheduled the weekend of April 14-15. Found across Maryland, Eastern wild turkey populations are near an all-time high – now numbering around 40,000 – thanks, in part, to an intensive trap and[...]

Oh, how I love to turkey hunt! Now I love to guide as well. This is my first “paid” guided turkey hunt. I’d been asked in the past and was always too busy with my own hunting or scheduling other shooting and hunting events for my business. After thinking about it, I decided I’d try it; after all, nothing pleases most hunters – myself included – more than turning others on to hunting and enjoying[...]

I am very fortunate to have been born into a family of avid outdoorsmen. Although I have few memories of my grandfather (his nickname was “Pop Daddy”), as he died when I was 6 years old, my father told me that he had a reputation for being a knowledgeable, self-taught naturalist and avid hunter and fisherman. Folks used to say, "If Pop Daddy isn’t catching them, there is no reason to go." I have wonderful[...]

As avid hunters, one of the best and most rewarding things we can do is pass the love for our sport on to the next generation. The good news is that it’s fairly easy to get kids interested, as many are naturally interested in wildlife and nature, but some will take to it slower than others. You can start by watching turkeys and deer at close range and show your kids the little things. Just[...]

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering a new hunting license for first-time hunters. The Apprentice Hunting License is available to residents and nonresidents of any age who never held a Maryland hunting license. The apprentice license is $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents, and provides the same privileges as other Maryland hunting licenses. It allows anyone interested in hunting a one-time chance to try the sport before committing to the more lengthy[...]