Deer Hunting Dates Set for Wye Island N.R.M.A

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ANNAPOLIS, MD - Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area (N.R.M.A.) will allow both archery and firearms deer hunting in the 2008-2009 season. As in the past, all hunts will be by permit only.

“Responsible hunters are critical in keeping our ecosystems in balance with the environment and we look forward to a good, safe season,” said Ranger John Ohler of the Maryland Park Service.

Archery deer hunting will take place Monday through Saturday from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2008; Oct. 20 through Nov. 28, 2008; Dec.15-19, 2008; and Jan. 5-31, 2009. Archery hunting will not take place during muzzleloader and firearms seasons. All archery permits will be issued daily on a first-come first-served basis with a limit of 25 archery deer hunters per day.

Muzzleloader deer hunting will be held October 16-18, 2008. Muzzleloader applications for the October hunt must postmarked on or before Sept. 12, 2008. Permits will be selected by random drawing on Sept. 17, 2008 at 2 p.m. Only one application will be accepted per hunter with a maximum of three applications per group hunt; please staple all group applications together.

The December firearms hunt will be held December 8 –13, 2008. Applications for the December hunt must be postmarked on or before Oct. 24, 2008. Permits will be selected by random drawing on Oct. 29, 2008 at 2 p.m. Only one application will be accepted per hunter with a maximum of three applications per group hunt; please staple all group applications together.

Separate applications are required for the muzzleloader and December deer hunts. Successful applicants will be required to have a Managed Hunt Permit. Applications are available in the Maryland Hunting and Trapping Guide 2008-09 on page 52, or by sending send a SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED ENVELOPE to Wye Island N.R.M.A., 632 Wye Island Road, Queenstown, MD 21658. Applications can also be downloaded from the Department of Natural Resources Web site at www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/manhuntapps.asp

All deer harvested at Wye Island will be considered part of the daily and season bag limits. All pertinent laws and regulations apply. All deer harvested during these hunts must be checked in. For more information, visit the Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland 2008-09. For more information contact Wye Island N.R.M.A. at (410) 827-7577.

For more information about hunting in Maryland, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/index.asp.

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September 3, 2008

Contact: Kara Turner 410-260-8018 office katurner@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 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