Hunting On State Parks

Hunting is allowed in many State Parks from September 1 through the end of spring turkey season, with exceptions. Trapping, raccoon hunting and fox chasing are allowed in some park areas by permit only. Park hours and days of operation are subject to change. Hunting devices are sometimes restricted, so call the facility before coming to hunt. A DNR Managed Hunt Permit may be required on some State Parks.

Firearms and bows may be carried across closed sections of State Parks by licensed hunters during regular hunting seasons in order to reach park, private or other state areas open to hunting. These hunting devices must be unloaded and cased, carried with the breech open or broken, or with arrows in a quiver.

Tree stands are limited to those of a temporary nature which must be removed at the end of each day. No one may construct permanent tree stands in State Park areas. No one may construct stationary blinds for hunting waterfowl. DNR reserves the right to construct these facilities. No target shooting is permitted, except at public shooting ranges. The use of hunting dogs by a licensed person in designated hunting areas for legal species is permitted.

If you are interested in hunting in a specific park, call the number listed to obtain information. Always check with the facility prior to planning a hunting trip.

Hunting is permitted in designated areas of the following State Parks. An (*) indicates archery shooting range. Facilities marked (V) have provisions for individuals with permits to hunt from a vehicle. See Hunt from a Vehicle Permit. Some of the park listed below require a DNR Managed Hunt Permit as noted.

Allegany
(V) Rocky Gap State Park- 1,451 acres (general hunting), 300 acres (bow only)- Furbearers, forest game, upland game, deer (certain areas are bow only). Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters during the deer firearms season (free permit required). 301-722-1480

Anne Arundel
NEW- Sandy Point State Park- Waterfowl hunting at designated sites during the third split of the waterfowl season only. Boat access only. Free permit and reservation required. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am - 12:00pm.

Baltimore
*Gunpowder Falls State Park- 3,000 acres- Hammerman, Hart-Miller Island, Days Cove and North Point Areas- Waterfowl blinds by lottery or by daily reservation with DNR Managed Hunt Permit required. Call 410-356-9272 between 7:30am and 11:30am to register.

Sweet Air Area- Managed deer hunt (shotgun) by lottery, see page 51 for application. DNR Managed Hunt Permit required (see page 42). 410-356-9272 Between 7:30am and 11:30am or 410-592-2897.
Hereford Area- Deer (Bow only), daily sign-in. DNR Managed Hunt Permit required. 410-329-6809.

(V) Patapsco Valley State Park- 3,895 acres- Deer (bow only). DNR Managed Hunt Permit required. 410-461-5005

Calvert
Calvert Cliffs State Park- 950 acres- Forest game, upland game and deer (bow, muzzleloader and shotgun). Daily sign-in required. Contact: Southern Maryland Recreational Complex. 301-888-1410

Caroline
*(V) Tuckahoe State Park- 1,000 acres- Forest game, upland game, deer (bow, muzzleloader and shotgun), waterfowl. Daily sign-in required. Migratory goose hunting by lottery with a DNR Managed Hunt Permit required.  No firearms prior to October 15.    For information or migratory goose lottery applications call 410-820-1668

Carroll
Patapsco Valley State Park- see Baltimore County

Cecil
(V) Elk Neck State Park- 340 acres-
Deer (bow, muzzleloader and shotgun). DNR Managed Hunt Permit required. 410-287-5333.
Waterfowl blinds by daily reservation. DNR Managed Hunt Permit required. Call 410-356-9272 between 7:30am and 11:30am to register.

Charles
(V) Chapel Point State Park- 550 acres- Forest game, upland game, dove, waterfowl, deer (bow, muzzleloader and shotgun). Daily sign-in required. Contact Southern Maryland Recreational Complex. 301-888-1410
Chapman State Park- 875 acres- Deer (dates to be announced) and waterfowl. Free permit, reservation, and sign-in required. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am- 12:00pm.
Chapman Residual- 1,305 acres- Forest game, upland game, deer (bow, muzzleloader, and shotgun). Daily sign-in. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am- 12:00pm.
Purse State Park- 75 acres- now managed as part of Nanjemoy NRMA, See Charles County in Public Hunting Lands section.

Frederick
(V) Cunningham Falls State Park- 3,500 acres- Furbearers, forest game, deer (bow, muzzleloader, shotgun and rifle). Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters. Call for details. Free permit required for raccoon hunting and fox chasing. 301-271-7574
South Mountain State Park- 3,350 acres- Furbearers, forest game, deer (bow, muzzleloader, shotgun and rifle). See Firearms, Bow and Falconry Regulations. Contact South Mountain Recreation Area: 301-791-4767

Garrett
(V) Deep Creek Lake State Park- 1,200 acres- Furbearers, forest game, upland game, dove and deer (bow, muzzleloader, shotgun and rifle). No firearms hunting until Oct. 15, 2007. Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters (contact park office for details). No waterfowl hunting. 301-387-5563

Harford
Gunpowder Falls State Park- See Baltimore County
Rocks State Park- 120 acres- Deer (bow only). 410-557-7994
Susquehanna State Park- 880 acres- Deer (bow only). DNR Managed Hunt Permit required. Contact Rocks State Park. 410-557-7994. Waterfowl blinds by daily reservation with DNR Managed Hunt Permit required. Call 410-356-9272 between 7:30am and 11:30am to register.

Howard
Patapsco Valley State Park- See Baltimore County
Patuxent River State Park- 5,000 acres- Forest game, upland game, deer (bow, muzzleloader and shotgun). Contact Seneca Creek State Park. 301-924-2127

Montgomery

Patuxent River State Park- See Howard County

Seneca Creek State Park- 1,000 acres- Forest game, upland game, dove, deer (bow, muzzleloader and shotgun). 301-924-2127. Bowhunting Areas- 3 tracts, 4,300 acres- Deer (only). DNR Managed Hunt Permit required. 301-924-2127. 

Seneca Creek Managed Deer Hunt (shotgun) by lottery.
Click here for Application.
DNR Managed Hunt Permit required.

Schaeffer Farm- Deer (muzzleloader and shotgun) DNR Managed Hunt Permit required. Call 410-356-9272 between 7:30am and 11:30am to register.

Prince George’s
Rosaryville State Park- Deer only (dates to be announced). Free permit and reservation required. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am- 12:00pm.

Queen Anne's
*(V) Tuckahoe State Park- See Caroline County

Somerset
Janes Island State Park- 3,147 acres- Waterfowl hunting only. Trapping permits issued through bid process. 410-968-1565

St. Mary's
(V) Greenwell State Park- 187 acres- Forest game, upland game, dove, waterfowl and deer (bow, muzzleloader and shotgun). Daily sign-in required. Contact Point Lookout State Park. 301-872-5688
Point Lookout State Park- 240 acres- Waterfowl, deer [bow, muzzleloader (no early season) and shotgun]. Daily sign-in required. 301-872-5688
St. Clement's Island State Park- 63 acres- Rabbit and waterfowl hunting only. Island is accessible only by boat. Contact Point Lookout State Park. 301-872-5688
St. Mary's Lake- Waterfowl hunting at designated sites only. Boat access only (No gas motors). Free permit and reservation required. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am - 12:00pm.
St. Mary's River State Park- 2,200 acres- Forest game, upland game, deer (bow, muzzleloader and shotgun.  Daily sign-in required. Contact Point Lookout State Park. 301-872-5688

Washington
Fort Frederick State Park- 400 acres - 301-842-2155

Fort Frederick Managed Deer Hunt (shotgun) by lottery.
Click here for Application.
DNR Managed Hunt Permit required.

Greenbrier State Park- 500 acres - Furbearers, forest game, deer (bow, muzzleloader, shotgun and rifle). Free permit required for raccoon hunting and fox chasing. Contact South Mountain Recreation Area. 301-791-4767
South Mountain State Park- See Frederick County.

Worcester
Assateague State Park- 450 acres- Deer (bow only) Restricted season: Nov. 3, 2008- Jan. 31, 2009. Limited reservations available through Nov. 15, 2008. Reservations may be made on Oct. 24 and 31 from 9am-11am and 2pm- 4pm by calling Assateague State Park at 410-641-2120 extension 10.