MARYLAND BLOOD
TRACKING NETWORK
Connecting hunters with experienced trackers
across the Old Line State
TRACKING LAWS* FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND
Know the rules before you track. These Maryland laws help insure ethical recovery, respect for landowners, and the future of our hunting rights.
Maryland allows hunters to use tracking dogs to help locate and recover wounded deer and other game animals. Dogs used for recovery must remain on a leash and under the control of the handler while tracking. Tracking dogs are used only to locate wounded or deceased animals and may not be used to chase or pursue healthy wildlife.
Hunters and tracking teams must follow Maryland’s fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink requirements during seasons where those rules apply. During firearm seasons, wearing the required safety clothing helps make recovery teams visible while tracking.
Maryland does not require a separate tracking dog license or certification. Hunters remain responsible for having the proper hunting license, stamps, permits, and harvest authorization required for the animal being recovered.
Tracking dogs may be used to help recover wounded game during legal recovery periods allowed under Maryland regulations. Tracking activity must remain focused on locating wounded animals and cannot be used as a method of hunting.
Using a tracking dog does not allow hunters or handlers to enter private property without permission. If wounded game crosses onto another property, permission should be obtained from the landowner before continuing the recovery.
A drone may be used to assist with the recovery of a wounded or expired animal. Drones may not be used to locate, drive, or flush game. It is also unlawful to scout or surveil for game and then hunt, or assist someone else to hunt, on the surveilled property within 24 hours of the last drone flight. Drone operators must contact Natural Resources Police at 800- 628-9944 (available 24/7) before attempting to locate a wounded or expired animal and at the conclusion of the search.
* Disclaimer: The information provided by TRAKR is intended as a general summary of state tracking laws and regulations and is not legal advice. Because laws and regulations may change, hunters and trackers should always verify current statutes, regulations, and agency guidance before using dogs, drones, or other recovery methods in their state.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MARYLAND BLOOD TRACKING NETWORK
Maryland Blood Tracking Network has become a resource for Maryland hunters looking to connect with trained tracking dog handlers after a difficult shot. The group exists to help recover wounded deer and other game animals that might otherwise be lost by connecting hunters with experienced recovery teams.
The network operates through Facebook and brings together hunters and handlers who share the goal of ethical recovery. Tracking teams across Maryland use trained blood-tracking dogs capable of following difficult trails when blood is limited, weather conditions change, or visual sign disappears.
Size and Impact
Some publicly available Maryland Blood Tracking Network information includes:
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The group provides a centralized resource for Maryland hunters searching for tracking dog assistance.
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Tracking teams help recover wounded whitetail deer, sika deer, and other legally harvested game.
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Maryland’s combination of farmland, hardwood forests, marshes, and suburban properties creates challenging tracking conditions where trained dogs can be valuable.
Maryland Tracking Dog Regulations
Maryland allows the use of leashed tracking dogs to recover wounded game. The law gives hunters another tool to locate animals while preventing the use of dogs to actively pursue healthy deer.
Why Maryland Requires Leashes
Maryland’s leash requirement helps separate recovery tracking from traditional hunting with dogs. Keeping tracking dogs leashed allows handlers to follow the trail of a specific wounded animal while maintaining control of the dog. This balance gives hunters access to the advantages of a dog’s nose while protecting wildlife and maintaining responsible recovery practices.
Certification and Training
Maryland does not require state-issued tracking dog certification. However, many dedicated handlers continue training their dogs through practice tracks, real-world recoveries, mentorship, and organizations such as United Blood Trackers and American Blood Trackers Association.
Interesting Facts About Maryland Blood Tracking Network
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Maryland Blood Tracking Network helps hunters find recovery assistance in a state with very diverse tracking environments.
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Maryland tracking teams deal with unique recoveries involving agricultural land, suburban properties, hardwood ridges, wetlands, and coastal terrain.
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The state’s sika deer hunting opportunities create tracking scenarios uncommon in most of the United States.
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The organization’s mission aligns with TRAKR by helping hunters quickly locate available tracking teams when recovery matters most.