Why It Matters: In the Mid-Atlantic, deer, dove, and teal season(s) are right around the corner. To kick things off, hunters are beginning to scout for white-tailed bucks and are awaiting the arrival of the migrating mourning doves, green-winged and blue-winged teal. With all the excitement of hunting season approaching, there are a few changes to the region’s hunting rules and regulations that hunters should know before scaling a tree or heading out to a field of sunflowers or out to the marsh.
Highlights:
- Delaware has released their 2026-2027 Hunting & Trapper Digest which includes the expanded Sunday hunting opportunities as well as a list of the newly allowed straight-wall, pistol caliber rifles for deer hunting.
- Pennsylvania has released their 2026-2027 Hunting & Trapping Digest which includes the newly published deer hunting season dates.
- Maryland has released their 2026-2027 Hunting & Trapping Digest which includes the newly expanded Sunday hunting opportunities and new regulations concerning the use of drones for hunting.
- Virginia has released their 2026-2027 Hunting & Trapping Digest which includes information regarding what counties require CWD testing.
- West Virginia has released their 2026-2027 Hunting & Trapping Regulations Summary which includes information on adjusted big and small game hunting dates.
Before heading afield on opening day, sportsmen and women should review the most up to date hunting regulations to ensure they are aware of any changes since the previous season. Across the Mid-Atlantic Region, several hunting rules and regulations changed over the past year, many as a result of legislative action driven by the work of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and the state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses in the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC). Understanding these updates is an important part of staying informed, compliant, and prepared while participating in our time-honored outdoor traditions.
As previously reported, sportsmen and women in Delaware can now hunt small game animals on Sundays as well as use a wider range of straight-wall pistol caliber rifles, thanks to the efforts of the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and CSF. Another great example of significant changes takes us to Maryland. This past legislative session, CSF worked closely with the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus on Sunday hunting legislation. Because of this, hunters now have additional Sunday hunting opportunities for deer hunting. Additionally, through the regulatory process, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has established new regulations regarding the use of drones for hunting. The regulation prohibits the use of drones while hunting but authorizes them to aid in the recovery of a wounded or expired animal. It is also unlawful to scout or surveil game on a property then hunt on that property, unless at least 24 hours have passed. Drone operators must contact DNR prior to attempting to locate a wounded or expired animal and again after the conclusion of the search.
CSF urges all sportsmen and women to review their state’s hunting and trapping regulations prior to going afield to verify compliance with state and federal hunting laws and regulations. CSF also wishes everyone a safe and successful hunting season for the remainder of 2026!