Hunting
Trapping
Fuelwood Permits
Public Shooting Range
Hunting
Hunting is permitted throughout Savage River State Forest except where posted with safety zone signs. Big Run State Park and New Germany State Park are situated within the forest boundaries; hunting is prohibited in both state parks. Forest boundaries are marked with yellow paint: a yellow bar on trees as you enter and a yellow dot as you exit. Hunting on or crossing private land within or adjacent to the forest requires written permission from the landowner. Parking is permitted along roadways provided traffic and forest gates are not blocked. No ORVs are permitted on seasonal access roads.
Several gated roads are opened seasonally to accommodate hunters. These roads open prior to squirrel season in September and remain open through January 31. Licensed four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.
Seasonal Access Roads
- Hardstuggle Camp Road — 1.3 miles west of intersection with Rt. 219 at Keyser's Ridge, north side of Rt. 40
- Keyser's Ridge — one-half mile west of Rt. 219, north side of Rt. 40
- Collier Place — across from Friend's Stockyard, 1.3 miles south of Keyser's Ridge on Rt. 219
- Bowman Hill — north and south of Bowman Hill Road, 1.2 miles east of intersection with Rabbit Hollow Road, 1.5 miles west of Amish Road
- Amish Road — west side of Amish Road, just north of Alexander Run
- Fort Hill — past the end of Fort Hill Road, just past Murphy Cemetery (pending private access approval)
- Dry Run Road — 2.0 miles east of Black Hawk School Road
- Maynardier Ridge Road — snowmobile trail on south side of Maynardier Ridge Road, three-quarters mile northwest of intersection at New Germany Road and Otto Lane
- Fairview Road — 1.75 miles south of intersection with New Germany Road, just south of the high-tension power line
- Asa Durst Place — west side of West Shale Road, 1 mile from New Germany Road (outer gate only)
- Wolf Swamp — north side of Twin Churches Road, just east of private campground
- St. John's Rock — across from Big Savage Trail Head off Beall School Road (open year-round as part of ORV trail)
- Red Dog Road — north side of Avilton Lonaconing Road, just west of the intersection at Swamp Road (open year-round as part of ORV trail)
- Laurel Run — south side of Avilton Lonaconing Road at George's Creek Church of the Brethren
Treestands: Permanent treestands are prohibited. Temporary treestands that cause no damage to trees are permitted but must be removed at the end of each day.
Hunters must have a valid Maryland Hunting License. Refer to the current Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland for season dates and specific regulations.
Disabled accessible hunting: Savage River State Forest offers over 2.8 miles of accessible hunting areas. Hunters must have a valid Universal Disability Pass. Download the application (PDF) or obtain one from the Western Region Main Office, 12512 Pleasant Valley Road NE, Flintstone, MD 21530. For additional accessible amenities across Maryland state forests and parks, visit Access for All.
Disabled accessible roads (open August through close of season):
- Frank Brenneman Road — north of Frank Brenneman Road through Maynardier Ridge Road
- West Shale Road — 0.3 miles north of Otto Lane, east side
Trapping
Trapping is permitted on land and in water throughout the forest. Permits are issued at the Regional DNR Wildlife Office in Flintstone. A valid hunting license is required when applying. Trappers must hold a certificate of trapper education from DNR.
Trapper education courses are offered statewide.
Refer to the current
Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland for complete regulations.
Fuelwood Permits
Fuelwood collection is permitted on Savage River State Forest with a valid permit. Permits are $10 per cord, with a maximum of 10 cords per household per year. Up to five cords may be purchased on a single permit ($50). One cord equals approximately two three-quarter-ton pickup loads, three half-ton pickup loads, or six quarter-ton pickup loads.
Only standing dead trees, fallen dead trees, and recent timber harvest debris may be collected. Live trees may not be cut.
Permits are available at headquarters or by self-registration at the outdoor kiosk. Complete the firewood self-registration envelope, deposit payment (cash or check payable to DNR) in the green pay pipe, and retain the perforated portion as your permit. A formal permit will be mailed to the address on the envelope.
Note: Confirm current time limits on multi-cord permits with headquarters before purchasing, as permit conditions are subject to change.
Public Shooting Range
Savage River State Forest operates a public shooting range with ten covered stations at distances from 25 to 100 yards. The range is open daily from sunrise to sunset. A permit is required and is available by self-registration at the range kiosk. The range closes periodically for adverse weather, maintenance, and law enforcement or hunter education training; call headquarters at 301-895-5759 for current status.
Full hours, rates, and range rules
For permit purchases or questions, contact headquarters at 301-895-5759.
