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Bethel Managed Hunting Area (MHA)

Located just south of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal in Chesapeake City, Maryland, this property is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leased to the Department of Natural Resources for wildlife management and recreation.

What To See

Bethel MHA provides habitat for waterfowl, upland game, and forest species primarily white-tailed deer.

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 to hunt and a daily reservation to access the area. Outside the hunting season this area is open to fishing, hiking, bird watching, nature photography, etc. with non-hunting permit required.

Area Regulations

  • Access to Bethel MHA is restricted from September 1 through February 15 for the hunting season to seasonal permit holders.
  • Click here to apply for the free Central Region Public Hunting Permit.
  • During the spring turkey season, the area is open to turkey hunters with a hunting permit and non-hunting permit holders.
  • Deer hunting is archery only.
  • This area is closed to all hunting during the deer firearms season except for waterfowl hunting during established waterfowl seasons.
  • However, during the deer muzzleloader seasons and January firearms season, deer may only be hunted with a bow.
  • Five waterfowl blind sites are available with permit and reservations.
  • ATV’s and other unlicensed motor vehicles prohibited
  • Parking is available in designated parking lots.

Non-Hunting Users

  • Outside the hunting season, Bethel is open for hiking, fishing, bird watching, nature photography, etc. with seasonal non-hunting permit.
  • To apply for the C&D Canal Lands Non-Hunting Permit.

Directions

Bethel MHA is located just south of the C & D Canal in Chesapeake City. Take Rt. 213 to Rt. 342 and turn right on to 2nd St. Take 2nd St. to Rt. 286 East (Bethel Road). Five parking lots border the property. For complete area regulations, information, or seasonal permits contact the Gwynnbrook Wildlife and Heritage Service Office at 410-356-9272.

Click Here for Map

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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.​