The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has shared that the late muzzleloader deer hunting season will be open Dec. 17-Dec. 31, 2022. The early muzzleloader deer hunting season began and ended in October, before the general firearms season.

“The late muzzleloader season provides Maryland hunters the opportunity to enjoy the cool fresh air and retreat from the hustle and bustle during the holiday season,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “Along with providing many families a meal for the holidays, the season also contributes to the management of the state’s deer population.”

Hunters are encourgaed to read the Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping for full details on the rules and regulations of the muzzleloader hunting season. Below we’ve pasted a section of the regualtions about which muzzleloaders are legal to use in the Maryland Muzzleloader season.

Maryland Muzzleloader Regulations

• Deer may be hunted with a muzzleloading rifle, muzzleloading shotgun or muzzleloading handgun (both single shot and revolvers) in all Maryland counties.

• To be considered a muzzleloader, a rifle, shotgun or handgun must be loaded from the muzzle and a revolver must be loaded from the front of the cylinder.

• Flintlock, percussion cap and inline ignition muzzleloaders are legal hunting devices for deer.

• Only flintlock or sidelock percussion muzzleloaders may be used during the Primitive Deer Hunt Days. Muzzleloading revolvers are prohibited during the Primitive Deer Hunt Days

• Muzzleloading rifles or shotguns used for deer hunting must be at least .40 caliber in size and must use 60 grains of black powder or more (a black powder equivalent is acceptable) and propel one all lead, lead alloy or copper soft-nosed or expanding bullet or ball at a single discharge.

• Muzzleloading handguns used for deer hunting must be at least .40 caliber with a barrel length of at least 6 inches and must use 40 grains of black powder or more (a black powder equivalent is acceptable) and propel one all-lead, lead alloy or copper soft-nosed or expanding bullet or ball at a single discharge.

• Muzzleoaders that use smokeless powder are legal for deer hunting. These muzzleloaders must use the equivalent of 60 grains of black powder in rifles or shotguns, and the equivalent of 40 grains of black powder in handguns. Hunters are encouraged to exercise caution when using these types of muzzleloaders, and never use smokeless powder in a muzzleloader not designed for its use.

• Sabot loads are legal for use in muzzleloaders used for deer hunting.

• Muzzleloaders are considered unloaded if the ignition system is disabled by removal of the cap, primer, battery or primer powder.

• It is unlawful to have a loaded firearm in, on or leaning against any vehicle. This includes a muzzleloader ready to fire.