DNR Announces New Hunting Opportunities
ANNAPOLIS --In an ongoing effort to offer additional hunting opportunities in Maryland, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service (WHS) today announced two new waterfowl hunting sites in Charles County and a change in the available waterfowl hunting areas statewide.The two new blind sites are located in Charles County in Zekiah Swamp NEA on Allen’s Fresh Run. These sites are available by permit and reservation only. For more information or to reserve a site call Myrtle Grove Wildlife Management Area at 301-743-5161.
The WHS also announced that waterfowl hunters can now hunt from a boat at anchor or while standing on the natural bottom in public waters adjacent to certain lands owned and managed by DNR.
“This change opens the waters adjacent to many miles of state-owned shoreline formerly closed to waterfowl hunting,” said Paul A. Peditto, WHS Director. “We are pleased to offer hunters the chance to hunt diving ducks and other species in an open-water setting.”
No special permits are required to hunt waterfowl offshore of the state-owned properties listed below. However, there are some specific regulations that hunters must follow:
- Individuals must hunt from a boat at anchor or while standing on the natural bottom;
- Hunters must be at least 250 yards from the property line of any landowners adjoining the state-owned properties or 250 yards from where that line would be if it were extended perpendicular from the shoreline out into the water;
- Hunters must be not more than one-third the distance from the state-owned property to the opposite shore or a maximum of 300 yards offshore from the state-owned property, whichever is less;
- Hunters must remain at least 250 yards from any licensed stationary blind or blind site or another person or party hunting wild waterfowl; and
- Hunters must remain at least 125 yards from any licensed shoreline on the opposite shore. A person may not guide hunting parties for economic gain on the waters adjacent to these areas.
The public waters adjacent to the following areas or sections of areas are now open:
- E. A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area
- The portion of Deal Island Wildlife Management Area located north of Maryland Route 363
- The portion of Fairmount Wildlife Management Area known as Hazard Island and the portion located north of Maryland Route 361
- Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area
- Isle of Wight Wildlife Management Area
- Maryland Marine Properties Wildlife Management Area
- Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Area
- Pocomoke Sound Wildlife Management Area
- South Marsh Island Wildlife Management Area
- Taylor’s Island Wildlife Management Area
- Chesapeake Forest Lands Lewis Complex
- Chesapeake Forest Lands Tom Tyler Complex
- Monocacy Natural Resource Management Area
- Janes Island State Park (excluding safety zone along Daugherty Creek Canal)
Maps and area descriptions of these and other state-owned lands are available on DNR’s website at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov or call 410-260-8540.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to Maryland citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 435,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, as well as Maryland's wildlife and fishery species for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, the department manages natural, historic and cultural resources that attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov