Hunting in Maryland: 3 Animals To Hunt in the Winter

Hunting is a popular recreational and money-making activity during winter in Maryland, where temperatures are milder than in some other parts of the country. The rabbit, fisher and raccoon are three of the many animals that are open to hunting in Maryland in winter months.

Here are details about these animals and how to hunt them.

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1. Rabbit
The Eastern cottontail rabbit may be hunted by anyone holding a Maryland adult, senior, junior or nonresident hunting license. Unlike some states, Maryland doesn’t require a furbearer permit for this animal. Open season for rabbit typically takes place from the beginning of November through the end of February. The bag limit is four rabbits per day, according to the Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping.

2. Fisher
As described by Defenders of Wildlife, this tough little furbearer, a member of the weasel family, is a fierce hunter, and it is the only effective predator against the porcupine.

The fisher’s fur is luxurious, and pelts sold by trappers and hunters can command as much as $130 each, according to the Worcester Telegram.

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The fisher is one of several animals that can be both hunted and trapped in Maryland. Hunters must have a hunting license, while trappers are required to have a trapping license. A furbearer permit also is needed in both cases. Other animals that can be both hunted and trapped include the fox, raccoon, coyote, opossum and skunk. Certain other furbearing animals can be trapped but not hunted, such as the beaver, mink, muskrat, river otter and long-haired weasel. Trapping of beaver and river otter is restricted to Maryland residents.

As with rabbits, the traditional hunting season for fishers lasts from early November through late February. Because the fisher is classified as a furbearer, it is illegal for anyone to disturb the animal’s den. The pelt or unskinned carcasses of both the fisher and river otter must be tagged within 15 days after the close of the hunting season.

3. Raccoon
The raccoon pelts are less valuable, and this mammal is more commonly hunted for sport or as a nuisance animal. Like the fox, coyote and opossum, the raccoon can be hunted with the use of dogs, artificial lights and calling devices. The general hunting season for both raccoon and opossum traditionally begins in mid-October and ends in mid-March. It is legal, though, to chase raccoons, without hunting them, throughout the rest of the year. In addition, raccoons that are destroying muskrats or their dens may be hunted at any time by landowners and employees of affected marshlands.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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