From the 2011-2012 MD Hunting booklet
Handgun Regulations
•
Modern and muzzleloading handguns
may be used to hunt forest game (handgun
hunting for turkeys only during the fall
season), upland game (except doves
and wood****), coyotes, fishers, foxes,
nutria, opossums, raccoons, skunks, and
woodchucks.
•
Modern handguns may be used to hunt
deer only in those counties where the
use of a breech-loading rifle for deer
hunting is permitted with the exception
that modern handguns may be used to
hunt deer throughout Frederick County.
Any modern handgun used for deer and
bear hunting must have a barrel length
of 6 inches or more and use ammunition
which produces a muzzle energy of 700
foot-pounds or more.
•
Muzzleloading handguns (both single shot
and revolvers) may be used to hunt deer
in all counties. Muzzleloading handguns
used for deer and bear hunting must be at
least .40 caliber in size with a barrel length
of at least 6 inches and use not less than 40
grains of black powder (or a black powder
equivalent) and propel one all-lead, lead
alloy or copper soft-nosed or expanding
bullet or ball at a single discharge.