HAGERSTOWN- Maryland’s annual Primitive Deer Hunt will be open Feb. 2-4 statewide. Hunters with a valid hunting license, or those exempt from the hunting license requirement, may use primitive bows or muzzleloaders to hunt antlered and antlerless sika and white-tailed deer during these three days.
Primitive hunting devices are defined as long bows, recurve bows, flintlock, or sidelock percussion muzzleloaders. Hunters may not use compound bows, crossbows, drawlocks, and telescopic or other electronic aiming devices. However, fiber optic sights are permitted on otherwise legal primitive bows or muzzleloaders.
“The final opportunity of the 2025-2026 Maryland deer hunting season provides hunters a chance to pursue deer much like our ancestors did,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “The Primitive Deer Hunt challenges hunters to use traditional archery and muzzleloader equipment to harvest a deer during some of the coldest days Maryland has to offer.”…