Browns Branch Wildlife Management Area

White-tailed deer at woods edge The former Ben-Lee property was acquired by the Department of Natural Resources in March 2019. The 1,172 acre tract is dedicated to wildlife conservation.

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Management

Browns Branch WMA is managed by the Wildlife and Heritage Service. The mission of the Wildlife and Heritage Service is to conserve and enhance diverse wildlife populations and associated habitats while providing for public enjoyment of the State’s wildlife resources through hunting and other wildlife-dependent recreation. Browns Branch WMA consists of 1,172 acres which includes a 682 acre agriculture lease. The remaining acreage mainly consists of deciduous forest land, with several small freshwater ponds and streams located throughout the property. A WMA Vision plan will be developed in the near future to guide future habitat management practices on the property. Browns Branch WMA provides habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, migratory waterfowl, and songbirds.

Regulations for All Users

Unless otherwise posted or with a permit issued by the Service it is UNLAWFUL to:

Operate or possess a vehicle on roads, trails, or waterways not open to general traffic.
Bait or feed wildlife.
Use or construct permanent blinds or tree stands. All portable blinds or stands must be removed at the end of the day.
Ignite, cause to be ignited, or maintain a fire.
Camp
Remove, disturb, damage, or destroy any mineral, plant, rock, tree, or nongame animal.
Have dogs off leash from April 15 through August 15.
Use dogs to chase fox and raccoons.
Release any animal or plant.
Conduct commercial activities.
Place a cache for the purpose of geocaching.
Operate, possess, or use combustibles, explosives, or fireworks.
Dig for relics and treasures, remove prehistoric or historic artifacts, or use a metal detector without a permit from the Office of Archeology.
Deposit litter or refuse including, but not limited to, animal carcasses, appliances, brush, debris, furniture, garbage, hazardous material, tires, waste paper, yard waste, or other litter.
Vandalize real property including any blind, building, crop, equipment, gate, habitat, plant, road, sign, trail, vehicle, vessel, or other public property.
Graze cattle, goats, horses, sheep, or other domestic animals.
Place decoys prior to 1 hour before legal shooting hours, leave decoys overnight, or remove decoys later than 1 hour after legal shooting hours.
Target shoot.

Hunting

Public hunting on Browns Branch WMA is permitted during legal hunting seasons with restrictions (see below). A free permit is required and available from the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service Gwynnbrook Wildlife Office or online. Hunting is available for all legal game species in accordance with current hunting laws and regulations established by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Click here to apply for the Free Public Hunting Permit.
Reservations are only required for waterfowl sites, spring turkey, or to hunt deer during a deer muzzleloader or firearms season. Reservations are not required for junior deer hunt days or the primitive season.
Hunting is permitted Monday through Saturday. No hunting is allowed on Sundays.
Deer hunting reservations during the deer muzzleloader and firearms seasons are limited to 10 hunters per day.
Three goose fields are available for reservation during waterfowl seasons.
During Spring Turkey Season reservations are required daily from opening day through the second Saturday. Three reservations are available per day. After the second Saturday hunting is allowed Monday through Saturday without a reservation.
Permitted hunting devices include all legal devices allowed in Queen Anne’s County.
Trapping is allowed by permit only. Contact the Millington Wildlife Office at 410-928-3650 for more information.

Non-Hunting Users

Browns Branch WMA is open year-round to non-hunters. No permit or reservation is needed. Be aware of active hunting seasons. The property is open for the following activities:

Hiking
Fishing
Biking on established trails
Bird Watching
Nature Photography
Dogs must be leashed from April 15 through August 15

Directions

Browns Branch WMA is located southwest of the intersection of US 301 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) and Rt. 300 (Sudlersville Road). The property is bordered by Sudlersville Road to the north, US 301 to the east, and Hall Road to the south. Three parking lots are located around the property. Two parking lots can be accessed from Sudlersville Road, with the other parking lot located along Hall Road. For additional information or seasonal permits, contact the Gwynnbrook Wildlife 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.