ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND — Shore goose hunters keep the regular light-goose dates, but the late-season Conservation Order that often stretched the calendar is off for 2026–27.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said Oct. 1, 2026, that Maryland and other Atlantic Flyway states will not hold the additional Light Goose Conservation Order hunting season typically authorized under federal law, citing a decline in greater snow goose populations since 2019. Greater snow geese are now at or below management-plan population goals, DNR said.

DNR still encourages hunting of light geese — greater snow, lesser snow, and Ross’s geese — on the regularly scheduled dates: statewide Nov. 7 through Nov. 27, 2026, and Nov. 30, 2026, through Feb. 6, 2027, plus an Eastern Zone-only segment Feb. 8 through March 10, 2027. The bag limit is 25 light geese per day with no possession limit. In that Eastern Zone February–March segment, hunters may use shotguns capable of holding more than three shotshells and electronic calls with light-goose recordings.

Talbot County is named in the Eastern Light Goose Zone description, alongside Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester, and other listed jurisdictions. DNR’s Oct. 1 notice sets hours at one-half hour before sunrise to sunset in all segments and notes an error in printed 2026–27 Guide copies. The online regulations page conflicts on the February–March segment: its summary of changes says hunting runs to one-half hour after sunset, while its light-goose section says sunset. Hunters with questions can call Wildlife and Heritage Service at 410-260-8540. Licenses and stamps are available through MD Outdoors.