Hunting in Maryland: 3 Things to Know Before Applying for a Hunting Permit for Your Kids

To go hunting in Maryland, a kid needs a junior hunting license. This license is available to anyone younger than age 16 who has passed a safety test to earn a certificate of competency in firearms and hunter safety. Here are three things you need to know about obtaining a junior license for your child and activities available to young hunters.

1. You can apply for a junior license on behalf of your child online, over the phone, by mail, or in person.
As shown on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hunter application form, a young hunter needs consent from a parent or ward to obtain a junior hunter license. A young hunter also must be able to present a certificate of competency, a document awarded to kids and adults who pass Maryland’s hunter safety education course.

You can apply for junior or senior hunting licenses online, over the phone, by mail or in person from any Department of Natural Resources sport license agent or DNR Licensing and Registration Service Center, according to the Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping.

2. The hunter education course is offered both online and at physical locations.
Most of the 250 courses given at physical locations are offered in the late summer and early fall. For successful completion, these courses require 10 hours of classroom time and a score of 80 percent or better on a multiple choice final exam, along with participation in a field day workshop. Subjects covered include hunter responsibility, firearm safety and handling, ammunition, bow hunting, and more, according to the DNR.

In contrast, the online course can be taken at the student’s convenience at any time. To pass the online course, a student must receive a score of 80 percent or higher on nine unit quizzes, as well as on a qualifying test for the field day workshop. However, students can take the quizzes and qualifying test an unlimited number of times until they pass, according to the Hunter-Ed.com website.

3. Qualified young hunters can take part in Maryland’s Junior Hunt Days.
With a junior license in hand, kids can participate in three series of Junior Hunt Days. To join, a junior hunter must be accompanied by a mentor 21 years of age or older. The mentor must either possess a valid Maryland hunting license or be exempt from hunting license requirements.

The state typically holds Junior Deer Hunt Days in November, Junior Turkey Hunt Days in April, and Junior Waterfowl Hunt Days in both fall and winter.

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