Central Region State Park Waterfowl Regulations 2012-2013

Maryland Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife and Heritage Service
Gwynnbrook Wildlife Management Area
3740 Gwynnbrook Avenue
Owings Mills, Maryland 21117
410-356-9272

Forty five waterfowl blind sites are available for public hunting in Elk Neck, Gunpowder Falls (Days Cove and North Point), and Susquehanna State Parks.  All hunters are required to have a Managed Hunting Permit ($35.00 and issued at a licensing agent) to hunt at any of the three State Parks.  Additionally, waterfowl hunters need a Gwynnbrook Seasonal Permit (free) and reservation, both of which will be issued at the Gwynnbrook Office in Owings Mills, Maryland.  Permits and reservations will be available as follows: Four days prior to opening day of waterfowl season and will close the last day of waterfowl season, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.  The permit office will be closed on all State Holidays.

REGISTRATION

A seasonal permit will be issued to each hunter who registers with the permits coordinator at the Gwynnbrook Office.  To register, a hunter may:

1. Visit the Gwynnbrook Office (Mon. through Fri., 7:30 – 11:30 a.m.), and present their hunting license and applicable stamps/permits, at that time: or
   
2. Mail a photocopy of their hunting license, and applicable stamps/permits, including current address, daytime phone # and vehicle tag # to the permits coordinator at the Gwynnbrook Office. (We do not accept licenses by fax.)

Hunters wishing to obtain a seasonal permit must include a business-sized self addressed envelope with first class postage.

RESERVATIONS

A seasonal permit only entitles a hunter to make daily reservations.  No one may hunt the waterfowl sites without having first obtained a seasonal permit.  Daily reservations are required for all waterfowl sites.

Daily reservations are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, and may be made either in-person or by phone, Mon. through Fri., 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Reservations may be made up to 4 calendar days prior to the day of the hunt.  A hunter may make one reservation per site and add up to three hunters at that site.  Do not attempt to leave reservation requests on the answering machine.  Reservations left on the answering machine will not be honored, and calls will not be returned.

Reservations will be required for all waterfowl sites and can be made up to four days in advance.  A particular blind site may not be hunted by the same person more than once during the four day reservation period or on consecutive Saturdays, regardless of who reserved the site.  This restriction does not apply if the blind has not been reserved the day before or the day of the hunt.  Hunters may reserve or hunt at more than one blind site within a four day period or on consecutive Saturdays as long as they utilize different blind sites.  If a hunter, who has made a reservation, is unable to hunt, please cancel your reservations at least 24 hours in advance so that another hunter may utilize the opportunity to hunt. 

Permission to hunt does not include permission to target shoot and build permanent waterfowl blinds.  Failure to comply with any of these rules, and any hunting regulations, will result in a fine and/or suspension from the program.

General Regulations

Hunting is only allowed at designated sites and is for waterfowl only.  Each blind site is numbered.  Site jumping or moving to an unoccupied blind site without a reservation is prohibited (Reservations are site specific).  Hunters must be within twenty-five feet of the blind marker.  Waterfowl hunters are responsible for locating their own boat launch locations.  Please be courteous and pick up all litter (including empty shotgun hulls) at each blind site.

Park Specific Regulations

Susquehanna and Elk Neck sites will be all day hunting and no lotteries.  Hunters are only allowed to hunt from a boat on the Susquehanna River sites unless otherwise indicated.  At Robert’s Island a warning siren will sound when the dam is releasing water.  Caution should be taken during this time.  Also at Robert’s Island, hunting is not recommended after 3:00 p.m. At the Elk Neck sites, you may only hunt from a boat or by standing in the water within twenty-five feet of the blind site stake.  Elk Neck sites will not be open until the second split of duck season.

Gunpowder sites will be a.m. hunting during the first duck season split and both of the later splits will be a.m./p.m. reservations.  Morning hunters are required to be packed up and off the site no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon).  Early resident goose and teal hunting on the Gunpowder sites must conclude no later than 9:30 a.m.  Blind number six on Gunpowder requires hunters to have a dog, due to the thick vegetation that surrounds the site.  Additionally, hunters of the Pleasure Island blind sites will be allowed to hunt form either side of the Island.  Lottery days for the Gunpowder sites will be all day hunting.

Lottery Procedures for Gunpowder Sites

Reservations for four Saturdays (both Saturdays during the first duck season split and the first Saturday during the middle and late splits) will be issued by lottery.  An official application (attached) must be filled out and returned to the Gwynnbrook Office.  Applications for the first duck season will be accepted until 11:30 a.m. on September 14, 2012.  The lottery for the first duck season will be held at 12:30 p.m. on September 17, 2012.  Applications for the second (middle split) duck season will be accepted until 11:30 a.m. on October 5, 2012.  The lottery for the second duck season will be held at 12:30 p.m. on October 8, 2012.  Applications for the third (late split) duck season will be accepted until 11:30 a.m. on November 2, 2012.  The lottery for the third duck season will be held at 12:30 p.m. on November 5, 2012.  All lotteries will be held at the Gwynnbrook Office.  Additional applications are available from the Gwynnbrook Office.

Only one application may be submitted per hunter.  Hunters submitting more than one application will have all applications removed before the lottery.

Each application will be drawn only once during the lottery.  If drawn, the successful applicant will be issued his/her first choice, if available.  If his/her first choice is full, he/she will be issued their second choice, etc. Any remaining reservations will be available to hunters through the regular permit office procedures, four days in advance of the desired hunting date.  Hunters need not be present to be selected through the lottery.  Only successful applicants will be notified by mail.  Applicants selected through the lottery need to notify our office, if you are adding up to three more hunters to your site.  Please do not call the Gwynnbrook Office for lottery results.  This will delay us from processing and mailing the lottery notifications!

View and print the waterfowl lottery applications

*NEW! GPS locations are now provided for all blind site locations. These should only be used just as a guide.  The actual sites are marked by signs or stakes with the blind site number.

Description of Days Cove Waterfowl Blind Sites

Site #1  This site is located on the North Shore of the Bird River approximately 350 yards east of Bowerman’s Marina.  It is open water and is accessible during a low tide.  Cover is limited and a camouflaged boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.38081 W-76.38515

Site #2  This site is located on the North Shore of the Bird River approximately 750 yards east of Bowerman’s Marina.  The site is at the rear of a slight cove on open water and is accessible during a low tide.  Cover is limited and a camouflaged boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.38184 W-76.38081

Site #3  This site is located on the North Shore of the Bird River approximately 1100 yards east of Bowerman’s Marina.  The site is on a slight point of land on open water and is accessible during a low tide.  Cover is limited and a camouflaged boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.38039 W-76.37693

Site #4  This site is located on the North Shore of the Bird River approximately 300 yards west of the mouth of Duck Creek on open water.  The site is on a slight point of land on open water and is accessible during a low tide.  Cover is limited and a camouflaged boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.38140 W-76.37277

Site #5  This site is located on the North Shore of the Bird River at the mouth of Duck Creek.  The site is on open water and is accessible during a low tide.  A camouflaged boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.38276 W-76.37113

Site #6  This site is located near the headwaters of Duck Creek.  Travel up Duck Creek until the number six sign is visible (approximately 300 yards).  The site is shallow at high tide and nearly impossible to access on a low tide.  The creek is very narrow and the shoreline has a large stand of cattails and phragmites.  A small boat is recommended and a retrieving dog is required to hunt this site. GPS Location N39.38334 W-76.37497

Site #7  This site is located on the North Shore of the Bird River where the main branch of the Big Gunpowder Falls joins the Bird River.  The site is on a point of land on open water with good visibility of the Big Gunpowder Falls and the Bird River.  This open water site is accessible during a low tide.  Some cover is available and a camouflaged boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.38556 W-76.36837

Site #8  This site is located on the western tip of an island.  It is on the main branch of the Big Gunpowder Falls.  The island is approximately 250 yards east of the mouth of the Little Gunpowder Falls.  This river site provides fair cover, but a limited field of view.  A small boat is advisable and access may be limited during a low tide. GPS Location N39.40282 W-76.37104

Site #9  This site is on the North Shore of the main branch of the Big Gunpowder Falls approximately 650 yards east of the island.  The river provides good cover, but a limited field of view.  A small boat is advisable and access may be limited during a low tide. GPS Location N39.40244 W-76.37802

Site #10  This site is located on the East Shore of the main branch of the Big Gunpowder Falls between the mouth of Days Cove and the mouth of the Little Gunpowder.  This site has good water during a low tide and good visibility.  Cover is limited and a camouflaged boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.39924 W-76.36012

Site #11  This site is in the marsh between Days Cove and Mariner Point Marina.  The site is located approximately 250 yards east of the main branch of the Big Gunpowder Falls on the only channel that runs east to west through the marsh.  The marsh is covered with cattail and phragmites.  There is good visibility at this site.  Access to the site is limited during low tide and a small camouflaged boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.39640 W-76.35669 

Description of North Point Waterfowl Blind Sites

Site #12  This site is just north of Shallow Creek along the shore of North Point State Park.  The water is very shallow and there are some reeds and bushes for cover.  Depending upon the weather this site offers little cover from the wind and waves.  Hunters should use caution and watch the weather carefully. GPS Location N39.20412 W-76.43042

Site #13  This site is at the end Ferry Grove Pier at the sunken barges.  Hunters using this site will either need to use a camouflaged boat or some hunters prefer to tie up in front or back of barges to hunt.  Depending upon the weather this site offers little cover from the wind and waves.  Hunters should use caution and watch the weather carefully. GPS Location N39.21338 W-76.41618

Site #14  This site is north of Ferry Grove Pier along the shore of North Point State Park.  There are reeds available for cover at this site.  Depending upon the weather this site offers little cover from the wind and waves.  Hunters should use caution and watch the weather carefully. GPS Location N39.22326 W-76.41271

Site #15  This site is on the southern tip of Pleasure Island.  There are reeds available for cover at this site.  Hunters may hunt either side of the island depending upon weather conditions (See map for exact location).  GPS Location N39.23207 W-76.39440 or GPS Location N39.23340 W-76.39529

Site #16  This site is in the middle section of Pleasure Island.  There are reeds available for cover at this site however, hunting a short distance offshore with a camouflaged boat would be recommended.  If hunting on the Bay Side, hunt in front of rock jetty.  Beware of submerged rocks between jetties. Hunters may hunt either side of the island depending upon weather conditions (See map for exact location).  GPS Location N39.23270 W-76.39131 or GPS Location N39.23420 W-76.39205

Site #17  This site is on the northern tip of Pleasure Island, facing the southern end of Hart Miller Island.  There are phragmites and reeds available for cover at this site. GPS Location N39.23534 W-76.38967

Site #18  This site is southeast of the MES Pier on Hart Miller Island. It is at a slight point of land.  Depending upon the weather this site offers little cover from the wind and waves.  Hunters should use caution and watch the weather carefully.  Also, due to the MES Pier and the road along the dike all shooting MUST be directed out over the open water. GPS Location N39.23976 W-76.38251

Site #19  This site is on Drum Point of Hart Miller Island.  Drum Point is on the west side of the island between the MES Pier and Hawk Cove.  There is little cover at this site.  A camouflage boat or portable blind is recommended because this site faces the setting sun. GPS Location N39.24918 W-76.38665

Site #20  This site is on the point of land between Drum Point and the main complex/beach area on Hart Miller Island.  There are reeds for cover and the water is shallow at low tide.  This site also faces the setting sun. GPS Location N39.25169 W-76.37826

Site #21  This site is on a small section of riprap north of the Hart Miller Island main complex/beach area.  The water is shallow and there are no reeds available for cover.  You will be facing the setting sun. GPS Location N39.25829 W-76.36401

Site #22  This site is north of the Hart Miller Island main complex/beach area.  There are reeds, bushes, and small trees available for cover.  The water is shallow and you will be facing the setting sun. GPS Location N39.25966 W-76.35991

Site #23  This site is on the northwest corner of Hart Miller Island in the back of a small cove.  The water is shallow and there are reeds available for cover. GPS Location N39.26147 W-76.35612

Site #24  This site is on the north shore of Hart Miller Island.  There are remnants of an old wooden pier at this location.  Depending on the weather, this site offers little cover from the wind and waves.  Hunters should use caution and watch the weather carefully. GPS Location N39.25940 W-76.34876

Description of Dundee Creek and Gunpowder River Waterfowl Blind Sites

Site #25  This site is on Dundee Creek.  It is located east of the marina along the shore of the parks fishing area.  Reeds and bushes are available for cover.  This site will only be available during the December and January seasons. GPS Location N39.34625 W-76.35750

Site #26  This site is on Government Cove in Dundee Creek.  The site is located about 50 yards offshore.  Hunters must anchor to the blind stake.  This site will only be available during the December and January seasons. GPS Location N39.34529 W-76.35349

Site #27  This site is on Cunninghill Cove in the Gunpowder River.  The site is located northeast of the boat ramp.  The water is shallow and there are reeds available for cover.  This site will only be available during the December and January seasons. GPS Location N39.35885 W-76.34317

Description of Elk Neck State Park Waterfowl Blind Sites

Elk River Sites

Site #28  This site is located north of the Thackery Point Wastewater Plant at the old boat launching ramp.  It is protected from all but an east wind.  Hunters need to be aware of the wave action from ships using the C & D Canal Route. GPS Location N39.47523 W-75.96930

Site #29  This site is located in the cove between Thackery and Stoney Points.  A large marsh is behind the blind site stake.  Hunters will have open water to their front and should be aware of the wave action from ships using the C & D Canal Route. GPS Location N39.47321 W-75.97602

Site #30  This site is located in the cove south of Stoney Point and north of the Rogues Harbor boating facility.  A large marsh is behind the blind site stake.  Hunters will have open water to their front and should be aware of the wave action from ships using the C & D Canal Route. GPS Location N39.46947 W-75.98341

Site #31  This site is located south of the Chesapeake Isle Development and approximately 50 yards north of the northern most rock pile in the Elk River off of Turkey Point.  A marsh is behind the blind site and the site stake is located east of a row of cedar trees on the shore line.  Hunters should use caution and watch the weather carefully because this open water site is very susceptible to wind and wave action.  A large boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.45113 W-76.00005

Chesapeake Bay Sites

Site #32  This site is located on the western shore of Turkey Point where the blue trail exits the woods at the edge of the riprap.  A southerly wind can create waves reaching 3-4 feet high.  Hunters should use caution and watch the weather carefully because this open water site is very susceptible to wind and wave action.  A large boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.45193 W-76.01242

Site #33  This site is located in the cove north of the Chesapeake Isle Development on the west side of the Turkey Point Peninsula.  Hunters should use caution and watch the weather carefully.  A large boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.47619 W-75.99569

Site #34  This site is located off of Rocky Point and south of the North East swimming beach.  Open water is to the west and the Susquehanna Flats are in close proximity.  Hunters should use caution and watch the weather carefully.  A large boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.48543 W-75.99584

Description of Susquehanna State Park Waterfowl Blind Sites

Sand Island Sites

Caution:  Hunters must be aware of weather conditions due to the open water that must be traveled to reach the Sand Islands.  High winds can cause waves that could be dangerous to open boats loaded with hunters and decoys.  Cell phones are recommended for hunters that want to hunt these islands.

Site #35  This site is at the northern end of North Island.  The blind stake is located approximately 20 feet from the shore in front of some downed trees.  A boat can be anchored against the trees.  On low tide and/or a north wind, access can be limited. GPS Location N39.50322 W-76.09342

Site #36  This site is at the southern end of North Island.  The blind stake is located approximately 20 feet from shore.  On low tide and/or a north wind, access can be limited. GPS Location N39.50208 W-76.09292

Site #37  This site is at the northern end of South Island.  The blind stake is located approximately 20 feet from the shore in front of some downed trees.  A boat can be anchored against the trees.  On low tide and/or a north wind, access can be limited. GPS Location N39.49653 W-76.09305

Site #38  This site is at the southern end of South Island.  The blind stake is located approximately 20 feet from shore.  The site is accessible during low tide and a camouflage boat is recommended. GPS Location N39.49493 W-76.09258

Susquehanna River Sites (Sites 41-45 – HUNTING not recommended after 3:00pm or during spill conditions)

Caution: Hunters must be aware of river conditions due to tides and river flow from Conowingo Dam. The water level can change very rapidly and have strong currents that can affect boat travel to and from the blind sites on Robert’s Island.
Conowingo Generation Hotline: 1-888-457-4076 Conowingo Spill Conditions Hotline(flood gates): 1-877-457-2525

Site #39 This site is the northern most site of the two river sites. Harford County ADC Map Coordinate: MAP 13 K-12. Hunters must remain in the boat and be within 25 feet of the blind site marker on the river side of the narrow peninsula. Hunting is prohibited from the shoreline and will be strictly enforced. GPS Location N39.58612 W-76.11868

Site #40 This site is the southern most site of the two river sites. Harford County ADC Map Coordinate: MAP 13 K-13. Hunters must remain in the boat and be within 25 feet of the blind site marker. Hunting is prohibited from the shoreline and will be strictly enforced. GPS Location N39.58220 W-76.11391

Site #41 This site is on Robert’s Island.The blind site marker is located along the north side of the island on the shoreline. Harford County ADC Map Coordinate: MAP 13 G-7. Hunters can hunt from a boat or on shore within 25 feet of the blind site marker. GPS Location N39.61339 W-76.13604

Site #42 This site is located on the north shore of Robert’s Island.The blind site marker is centrally located along the shoreline. Hunters can hunt from a boat or on shore within 25 feet of the blind site marker. River conditions due to tides and Conowingo Dam water flow can make access very limiting. Caution against rocks in this area during boat travel.  GPS Location N39.61457 W-76.13827

Site #43 This site is the northern most site on Robert’s Island. The blind site marker is located on the north shore along the shoreline. Hunters can hunt from a boat or on shore within 25 feet of the blind site marker. River conditions due to tides and Conowingo Dam water flow can make access very limiting. Caution against rocks in this area during boat travel. GPS Location N39.61617 W-76.14128

Site #44 This site is centrally located along the north shore of Wood Island facing Robert’s Island.  The blind site marker is located along the shoreline. Hunters can hunt from a boat or on shore within 25 feet of the blind site marker. Caution against rocks in this area during boat travel. GPS Location N39.611498 W-76.139287

Site #45 This site is located on the south side of Robert’s Island. The blind site marker is located in-between a small strip of land and Robert’s Island on the shore of Robert’s Island. Hunters can hunt from a boat or on shore within 25 feet of the blind site marker. Caution against rocks in this area during boat travel. GPS Location N39.61429 W-76.14101

Tidal Information for Waterfowl Sites

Tidal information for specific hunting areas can be found at the following Maryland Department of Natural Resources fisheries website:  www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries 

Boat Ramps Near Days Cove

Mariner Point Park (410-612-1608)

Hours of Operation:  October 31st-Memorial Day open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Memorial Day-October 31st closed Fri & Sat evenings from 8:30pm until 5:00am.

Cost:  Free for Maryland residents. Nonresidents $15 to launch, $5 to park.

Directions:  Take Route 40 to Joppa Farm Road.  Go approximately two miles and turn right onto Kearney Drive (A High’s and a Royal Farm Store will be on your right).  Take Kearney Drive into the Park.

 

Bowerman Marina (410-335-8756)

Hours of Operation:  Generally sunrise to sunset.  Owner may make some exceptions.

Cost:  $3.00.  Owner requests that the $3.00 be put in an envelope marked “George” and taken to the clubhouse.  It can be left inside the screened porch.

Directions:  From Baltimore:  Take Route 40 east and make a right onto Allender Road.  Go approximately .7 miles and when you come to a “Y” in the road, bear left.  The road becomes Bowerman Road.  Go .5 miles and turn left at the sign for Bowerman Marina.  Follow the road to the end for the boat ramp.
From Joppatowne:  Take Route 40 West and make a left onto Allender Road, then follow the same directions as above.

Boat Ramps Near Robert’s Island

Lapidum Boat Ramp (410-734-9035)

Hours of Operation: 24/7 unless water is released from the dam and floods the area.

Cost: $10.00 in-state and $12.00 out-of-state service charge to launch.  Vehicles not launching are subject to the day-use service charge, $2 per vehicle in-state and $4 per vehicle out-of-state.  Vehicles not towing a trailer should park in a designated single-car parking space.

Directions: Take I95 to Exit 89 (Rt. 155 East) Make the first left on to Lapidum Rd and follow straight past the intersection of Stafford Rd.

Boat Ramps Near Hart Miller Island

Rocky Point Park (410-887-3873)

Hours of Operation:  Year round/sunrise to sunset

Cost:  Park entrance fee: Adults $6, Seniors $4, Children $3; also a $5 boat trailer fee for trailers parked in the park itself

Directions:  Take Route 702 south to Back River Neck Road.  Make a left onto Barrison Point Road and follow it to the Park and boat ramps.

 

Miller’s Island Crab Pot Supply (410-477-9008)

Hours of Operation:  Sunrise to sunset/7 days a week (if store is closed pay when you return)

Cost:  $10.00

Directions:  Take 695 to Route 20/151 south ramp (exit 42).  Bear left at the end of the ramp and make a left at the first traffic light.  Travel through the town of Edgemere to Route 20 (North Point Road) and make a left onto Miller’s Island Road (Bayshore Bar and Grill is on the corner).  Make a right onto Miller’s Island Blvd. and they are the big white block building on the left.

View and print the waterfowl lottery applications