Hunting
Location
Soldiers Delight NEA is located in Owings Mills, Maryland in Baltimore County. There are eight hunting zones.
A healthy, balanced ecosystem at Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area is essential for the continued success of the sensitive and endangered plant species found there. To help maintain this balance, managed hunting was introduced and has expanded over the past 15 years. In response to ongoing pressures and threats to these species—and with the goal of promoting long-term sustainability—these additional hunting opportunities have been added this year.
All visitors hiking in the area during hunting season are advised to wear bright orange or pink for visibility and safety.
Seasons and Bag Limits
Soldiers Delight NEA is open for deer hunting only. Consult the
Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping for bag limits.
NEW this year, Hunting is now permitted from, Friday after Labor Day through Primitive Season in all zones. *Reservations are ONLY required to hunt deer during the Special Firearms Antlerless Hunt Dates, the Early Muzzleloader Season, the Firearms Season, the Late Muzzleloader season, and the late Firearms Season. Reservation/sign-in not required during Archery, Youth, and Primitive seasons. Hunters can make reservations by calling the Gwynnbrook Wildlife Office at 410- 356-9272.
Special Antlerless only firearms hunting dates:
Special antlerless firearms hunting opportunities are available October 30th, October 31st, November 6th, November 11th, November 21st, January 23rd, and January 30th. Archery hunting is not permitted on these dates. Hunting on these dates is by reservation only. Hunters can make reservations by calling the Gwynnbrook Wildlife Office at 410- 356-9272.
Hunting Devices Allowed
Soldiers Delight NEA allows the use of archery equipment, muzzleloaders, shotguns, and straight-walled cartridge rifles during established seasons. See your Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping for season dates.
Permits and Regulations
A Free Public Hunting Permit is required to hunt Soldiers Delight NEA. The permit may be obtained online through MD Outdoors or in person through the Gwynnbrook Wildlife Office (410-356-9272) Regulations specific to the permit are available here.
- Reservations are made through the Gwynnbrook Wildlife Office at 410-356-9272.
- Hunters must park in designated parking areas. Some parking areas are available only for hunters and require a gate code. This code is provided with the Free Public Hunting Permit.
- Hunters may enter the park no earlier than 1.5 hours before sunrise and must be out no later than 1.5 hours after sunset.
- No scouting is allowed in each zone until it is open for hunting.
- Established trails are open year round for public use.
- Hunters must contact Natural Resources Police at 410-260-8888 before tracking a wounded deer after hours, off State Park property, or outside of the designated hunting area.
