Taylor's Island Wildlife Management Area: deer harvest, hunting rules and map
Hunters reported 22 deer on Taylor's Island Wildlife Management Area in the 2025-26 season, 8 antlered and 14 antlerless, against 34 in 2024-25. It is a Maryland DNR wildlife management area of about 1,132 acres in Dorchester County, in deer management Region B.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026, Appendix II. Area: Maryland DNR owned lands (Maryland iMAP); DNR's page for Taylor's Island WMA. Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027.
Wildlife management areaState forestNational wildlife refugeNational Park ServiceTaylor's Island WMACounty lineHighway
| Size | 1,132 acres (measured from DNR's map) |
|---|---|
| County | Dorchester County |
| Managed by | Wildlife and Heritage Service |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 22 (8 antlered, 14 antlerless) |
| Deer reported, 2024-25 | 34 |
| Sika among them, 2025-26 | 21 |
| Deer management region | Region B |
| Nearest towns | Taylors Island (3 mi), Madison (5 mi) and Fishing Creek (6 mi) |
How many deer are taken on Taylor's Island WMA each year?
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 8 | 14 | 22 |
| 2024-25 | 11 | 23 | 34 |
Source: the public land table (Appendix II) in DNR's report for each season (Maryland DNR deer and big game report archive). Totals include sika deer.
What is Taylor's Island WMA like?
DNR describes it: "The tidal marshes of Taylors Island have been relatively untouched by the development of small towns and villages on the nearby shores. This large island in western Dorchester County is a classic illustration of Chesapeake Bay tidal marsh habitat."
On hunting and other uses: "Hunters will enjoy the challenge afield offered by white-tailed and sika deer as well as a variety of waterfowl. Water-oriented recreation includes crabbing, fishing, and boating from a nearby county ramp."
On wildlife: "Wildlife associated with the marsh include raccoons, muskrats and river otters. The small stands of forest support white-tailed deer as well as sika deer, a species of elk that is native to Asia."
Quoted from DNR's page for Taylor's Island WMA.
What are the rules on Taylor's Island WMA?
- Use of Taylors Island WMA is generally permitted seven days a week throughout the year.
- Hunting is allowed in accordance with open seasons and shooting hours, unless otherwise noted.
- All State and Federal Hunting Laws and Regulations are applicable.
- Trapping is by permit only. Trapping bids are available in September and are awarded in late October. Call the LeCompte WMA office for further information.
From DNR's page for Taylor's Island WMA.
When can you hunt Taylor's Island WMA in 2026-27?
Seasons follow Region B: archery September 11 to January 31 with breaks, early muzzleloader October 22 to 24, firearm November 28 to December 12 and January 8 to 10, 2027, late muzzleloader December 19 to January 2. Spring turkey runs April 19 to May 24, 2027.
| County | Deer, 2025-26 | Antlered, 2025-26 | Spring turkeys, 2026 | Public land |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorchester County | 5,106 | 2,338 | 216 | 20.8% |
Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027. County harvest: Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026.
How do you get to Taylor's Island WMA?
Highways within five miles: MD 335, MD 16 and MD 336. Nearest towns: Taylors Island (3 miles), Madison (5 miles), Fishing Creek (6 miles) and Church Creek (6 miles).
Questions hunters ask
How many deer are taken on Taylor's Island WMA?
22 in 2025-26: 8 antlered and 14 antlerless (Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026, Appendix II). In 2024-25: 34.
Do you need a permit to hunt Taylor's Island WMA?
DNR's page for Taylor's Island WMA says: "Use of Taylors Island WMA is generally permitted seven days a week throughout the year. Trapping is by permit only. Trapping bids are available in September and are awarded in late October. Call the LeCompte WMA office for further information."
What county is Taylor's Island WMA in?
Dorchester County. Dorchester County reported 5,106 deer in 2025-26, 2,338 antlered, and is in Region B.
What can you hunt on Taylor's Island WMA?
DNR: "Hunters will enjoy the challenge afield offered by white-tailed and sika deer as well as a variety of waterfowl. Water-oriented recreation includes crabbing, fishing, and boating from a nearby county ramp."
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Where these facts come from
- Deer by area: the public land tables in Maryland DNR deer and big game report archive. Boundary: Maryland DNR owned lands (Maryland iMAP).
- Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027; Maryland DNR: 2026-27 archery deer season opens September 11. County harvest: Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026.
- Public land around it: Maryland DNR owned lands (Maryland iMAP) for state land; USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US 4.1) for federal land. Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, places.
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