Talbot County, Maryland

Eastern Shore; Choptank River borders the south and west; miles of tidal marsh and creek fingers drain to the Chesapeake Bay along multiple tributaries; productive agricultural land in the interior; Tilghman Island peninsula reaches into the bay providing iconic gunning points.

Moderate to high for waterfowl on guided private leases; moderate for deer on private agricultural ground; public-land hunting pressure is low given the limited access.

Over-the-counter; statewide antler-point restriction applies. Agricultural fields of corn and soybeans produce consistent deer activity from early archery through late muzzleloader.

Waterfowl hunting is world-class. The Choptank River and bay-side creeks concentrate canvasbacks, redheads, scaup, and bufflehead during peak migration; mallards and black ducks use agricultural marshes and impoundments. Spring and fall turkey seasons both produce results in ag-edge timber.

The Choptank River canvasback shoots are one of the most storied waterfowl hunting traditions in the mid-Atlantic region; the Eastern Shore duck hunting heritage is most concentrated in Talbot County and the guided outfitter experience here is among the best in the Atlantic Flyway.