The Mentored Hunt Program aims to teach first-time hunters and lapsed hunters a new set of skills, whether it be hunting techniques or how to hunt specific species.
The program pairs skilled veteran hunters with first-time or lapsed hunters (mentees) and walks them through a series of technical lectures that cover a range of topics including firearm safety, hunting tips and hunting techniques and strategies, as well as providing range time to help the mentee begin their journey into hunting.
Throughout the program, staff and members from the partnering agencies and organizations all contribute their collective resources and knowledge to make the program as encompassing as possible.
From the moment the mentee is selected into the program, they are paired with a mentor. From there, the mentor and mentee can take the opportunity to meet in person, text, call or email each other (whichever they prefer) to talk about any questions or concerns the mentee may have.
The goal of the program, and the job of the mentor and all the partners, is to guide the mentee on their journey into hunting and make sure the mentee becomes as prepared as possible when they leave the program.
Why do we need a program like this?
Isn’t hunting an American tradition that is passed down from generation to generation? A recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife survey showed that fewer than 5% of Americans, 16 years of age and older, actually hunt. This is alarming because it is less than half of what it was 50 years ago and is not showing any signs of reversing direction on its own. Over half of the current hunters in the United States are over 45 years old, with 38% of those being over 55 years old. Many hunters hang up their boots as they begin to age, which leaves a major deficit. Conservation agencies depend on money generated from license fees and excise taxes on firearms and ammunition to manage wildlife, all wildlife, not just game species. Hunters spend approximately $26 billion dollars a year, with a large portion of that being distributed to state wildlife agencies. A decline in hunters means a decline in dollars from hunters, which leads to a decline in funding. All of which spells trouble for hunting and other conservation and management activities.
It is imperative that the trend be reversed and agencies must find new ways to bring attention and new hunters to the sport. It is time to adjust how and who we market to as conservation agencies because, just as the United States becomes more diverse, so must hunting. The female population is grossly under-represented with only 10% of all hunters being women. 97% of all hunters are white and the majority have a median household income of $40,000-$100,000. It is glaringly obvious that a massive portion of our population is untapped and we hope programs like the Mentored Hunt Program will help to introduce people from all walks of life to hunting as a means of gathering food and, ultimately, a lifestyle. We are surrounded by sustainable local food sources that many folks do not think about; wild game is the ultimate field to table food source.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has teamed up with the
International Hunter Education Association to bring a more comprehensive and streamlined solution to introducing new hunters to mentors throughout the state via their
learnhunting.org website.
If you have any questions about the Maryland Mentored Hunt Program, please contact Torey Vayer at
torey.vayer@maryland.gov.
Stocked Pheasant Hunts- November 23-24, 2024
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will be offering “do-it-yourself” hunts for stocked pheasants. Apprentice license holders, junior license holders, new hunters and hunters who have previously held a Maryland hunting license, but have let it lapse are eligible to apply. The pheasant hunts will take place on public lands across the state on November 23 and 24, 2024.
Check back for application information, dates, locations and other resources as they become available.
FAQ
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2024 Stocked Pheasant Hunt Lottery Results
All winners will receive an email (sent to the email address in their COMPASS account) by noon on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. If you were selected and have not received your email by this time and date, please check your Spam folder and if not found then contact
christopher.markin@maryland.gov.
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Who may apply?
Any youth (junior) hunter, apprentice hunter or lapsed hunter. A lapsed hunter is one who has held a MD hunting license in the past, but has not purchased a hunting license for any three of the last five years.
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When does the lottery open and close?
The 2024 Stocked Pheasant Hunt Lottery will be open to receive applications July 1, 2024 through October 6, 2024.
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Is this a guided hunt?
No, this is a “do-it-yourself” hunt. All participants will supply their own gear and firearms and be expected to have the necessary hunting license.
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Can I bring a parent or friend?
Friends, family or mentors may accompany the selected participant, but only the individual chosen in the lottery is able to carry and use a firearm.
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What are the hours of the hunt?
This hunt follows all regulations for
small game hunting, including shooting hours.
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Am I allowed to bring a dog?
In most cases yes, but rules may vary based on location. If selected, please check the rules and regulations for your specific site.
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How will I be notified if I am selected?
Selected applicants will be listed on this webpage by their DNRId by October 28, 2024.
Lottery winners will receive an email no later than November 1 with hunt details.
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Who may I contact if I have additional questions?
You may contact Chris Markin at
Christopher.Markin@Maryland.gov for any additional questions or concerns.
Please do not reach out with selection questions prior to the listing of winners on October 28. -
How to Apply for the Stocked Pheasant Hunts:
In order to apply to participate in the stocked pheasant hunts, taking place on November 23-24, 2024, you will need to log in to your
Compass account and enter the lottery. If you do not have a Compass account, you will need to create one. There is no charge to create an account and there is no charge to apply for the pheasant hunt lottery or participate in the stocked pheasant hunts.
You will be able to select a first, second and third choice for the area you want to hunt, but you will only be able to select one day. You will not be able to apply to hunt both days since space is limited at each of the areas. The entire Wildlife Management Area (WMA), or state forest, will not be open to pheasant hunting, but we will provide you with a map showing the general area where the pheasants are stocked and the area(s) where you can hunt. Each area will be clearly signed the day of the hunt.
Once you have logged into Compass, please follow these steps to complete your application to enter the lottery for the stocked pheasant hunts:
- Log in to Compass with existing account or create a new account
- Select “Purchase New License.”
- Select “Hunting.”
- Select “2024 Pheasant Hunt Lottery Entry.”
- At the top of the page, select “Add item to cart.”
- At top of page, select “Proceed to checkout.”
- On next page, select “Checkout.”
- Answer pheasant hunt survey questions.
- Select “Checkout” at the end of the survey.
- Print receipt.
Selection Procedure
Participants will be selected at random from all eligible applicants. In order to be eligible, you must be a
youth (junior) hunter,
apprentice hunter or a lapsed hunter. A lapsed hunter is one who has held a MD hunting license in the past, but has not purchased a hunting license for any three of the last five years. The deadline to apply to participate in the stocked pheasant hunts is October 7, 2024. After that date, a random drawing will be held and selected applicants will be listed on this webpage by their DNRId by October 28, 2024.
Resources
Mentored Hunt Events
First Shot Mentored Deer Hunt
When: 2025 Date TBD
Where: Dorchester County, MD (Blackwater NWR and surrounding areas)
Who: New hunters (ages 18 and older)
Stay tuned for updates. | The First Shot Mentored Deer Hunt is intended to introduce first time adult hunters (18 and older) that do not otherwise have the skill set or knowledge to hunt deer on their own and would like to learn and hunt with skilled veteran hunters. Space is limited and participants will be selected via random lottery. Selected participants will be paired with an experienced hunter to learn pre-hunt skills and culminating in the hunt. Selected participants will be required to attend a mandatory orientation(TBD) prior to the hunt. More details can be found on the application. |
Patuxent Mentored Deer Hunt
When: 2025 Date TBD
Where: Laurel, MD (Patuxent Research Refuge and surrounding areas)
Who: New hunters (ages 18 and older)
Stay tuned for updates. | The Patuxent Mentored Deer Hunt is intended to introduce first time adult hunters (18 and older) that do not otherwise have the skill set or knowledge to hunt deer on their own and would like to learn and hunt with skilled veteran hunters. Space is limited and participants will be selected via random lottery. Selected participants will be paired with an experienced hunter to learn pre-hunt skills and culminating in the hunt. Selected participants will be required to attend a mandatory orientation (TBD) prior to the hunt. More details can be found on the application. |
Youth/Veteran Mentored Waterfowl Hunt
When: TBD 2026
Where: Various locations throughout the state.
Who: Youth hunters (ages 16 and under) and Military veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) of any age, and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training).
Stay tuned for updates. | The Youth and Veteran Hunt Day Waterfowl Event is intended to give youth and military veteran hunters an opportunity to hunt waterfowl on the special opportunity day offered by the Department of Natural Resources on TBD. For this event, only military veterans and youth hunters ages 11-16 years old will be eligible. Youth hunters, as well as any military veteran hunter that chooses, will be given the opportunity to hunt under the guidance of experienced mentors. Space is limited and participants will be selected via random lottery.
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