Earlville WMA

Located in the southwestern portion of Cecil County, Maryland, this property is owned by the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service and managed for public hunting by the Department of Natural Resources during the hunting season.

 

Click Here for Map

What To See

Earlville WMA provides habitat for upland game, and forest species primarily white-tailed deer, grey squirrels, rabbits, and songbirds.

What To Do

This area is open to hunting for all game species during the regulated hunting season established by the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service. Hunters are required to have a permit and a daily reservation to access the area. Outside the hunting season this area is open to hiking, bird watching, and nature photography.

Area Regulations

Access to Earlville WMA is restricted from September 1 through February 15 for the hunting season to seasonal permit holders.

During the spring turkey season, the area is open to turkey hunters with a hunting permit.

ATV’s and other unlicensed motor vehicles prohibited.

Parking is available in designated parking lots.

Disabled hunter access available.

Six daily reservations are available during the deer firearm/muzzleloader seasons.

Non-Hunting Users

Outside the hunting season Earlville WMA is open for hiking, bird watching, nature photography, etc.

Site Management Practices

Of the195 acres, Earlville WMA consists roughly of 50 acres in warm season grasses with the remaining acreage being forested land.

Land management practices include mowing and periodic prescribed burns to maintain the warm season grass fields.

Directions

Earlville WMA is located in southwest portion of Cecil County. Take Rt. 213 to Glebe Rd to Fingerboard Schoolhouse Rd. For complete area regulations, information, or seasonal permits contact the Gwynnbrook Wildlife and Heritage Service Office at 410-356-9272.

---

This area is a part of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources public land system and is managed by the Wildlife and Heritage Service. The primary mission of the WMA system is to conserve and enhance wildlife populations and their respective habitats as well as to provide public recreational use of the State’s wildlife resources.

Eighty-five percent of the funding for Maryland's state wildlife programs comes from hunting license fees and a federal excise tax on sport hunting devices and ammunition. The federal aid funds are derived from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (or Pittman-Robertson) Fund, which sportsmen and women have been contributing to since 1937. Each state receives a share of the funds, which is administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; these funds are used for wildlife conservation and hunter education programs, including the management of the WMA system.

Other sources of funds for land acquisition include Program Open Space Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas, provided through The Department of Natural Resources' Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long-term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.