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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.​

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If you have any questions about the Maryland Mentored Hunt Program, please contact Torey Vayer at torey.vayer@maryland.gov.

Stocked Pheasant Hunts- November 18-19, 2023

2023 Stocked Pheasant Hunt Lottery Results​

​​To easily find if your DNRid is on the list, hold down the Ctrl or Command key on your keyboard then press the letter F and you should get a search box. Type in your DNRid in the box and hit search. It should search the page for your identification number and highlight it.

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 18 and 19, 2023.

Check back for application information, dates, locations and other resources as they become available.

FAQ

• 2023 Stocked Pheasant Hunt Lottery Results – Will be posted by October 27, 2023


• ​ 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.
  
  
• When does the lottery open and close?
  The 2023 Stocked Pheasant Hunt Lottery will be open to receive applications July 1, 2023 through October 6, 2023.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• What are the hours of the hunt?
  This hunt follows all regulations for small game hunting​,​ including shooting hours.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• How will I be notified if I am selected?
  Selected applicants will be listed on this webpage by their DNRId by October 27, 2023.
  Lottery winners will receive an email no later than November 3 with hunt details.​
  


• ​ 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.
  
  
• How to Apply for the Stocked Pheasant Hunts:
  In order to apply to participate in the stocked pheasant hunts, taking place on November 18-19, 2023, 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 “2023 Pheasant Hunt Lottery Entry.”
  • At the top of the page, select “Add item to cart.”
  • At top of page, select “Proceed to checkout.”
  • One 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 6, 2023. After that date, a random drawing will be held and selected applicants will be listed on this webpage by their DNRId by October 27, 2023​.

Resources

• General Hunting Regulations
• Small Game Hunting Regulations
• Small Game Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Management Areas

Upcoming Events​