
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.
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.
864999
1103814
563326
2499456
2732337
90162
744577
2728166
2645164
810513
511679
1218843
975348
307846
2280187
2554867
2601135
2405308
1188154
2643993
2812841
2536484
2751820
2600068
212791
2531364
107128
2513248
2630333
752154
2810440
503101
2634293
2731010
583738
2480985
2735918
2180187
162172
2281530
67999
2665372
2717054
2639369
2297351
655965
2121820
144989
2711750
2722553
2378654
2531109
2711737
2720044
1007058
2720022
586571
1126755
2531107
1950391
2724025
2298143
2388469
2286213
926726
2740926
2371489
2074889
2657847
810319
4913
1096987
2598439
2382263
2305115
2642035
2294659
2181599
2816541
534929
2207155
2601649
2634377
280872
2640465
2621001
733993
2185403
2382748
2552188
2306372
2509928
732389
2801817
1155978
2509581
275252
2813719
2506464
80851
2634348
2650059
2151173
2603189
2388250
650538
705149
2350087
1006053
200280
2615635
2797098
2022415
2384960
2405207
2624541
901346
2534839
179031
2084001
105131
2526043
2549688
2112489
2816752
2652317
2051085
2722630
530813
2098559
331226
816865
208925
982499
2350630
2294673
353792
528024
2275513
38046
2062605
2807650
2387385
1990376
767415
2377797
2520991
2397062
2385476
2638356
2193524
2806754
361080
2673752
89684
202098
2213980
709536
581091
1210525
2727811
2443147
2365623
2817648
562526
2805513
2059258
963481
801077
2306282
2817216
2815907
2203477
2304722
2426356
2619087
749150
2617174
2557177
2815709
2809153
2198191
2635051
2502499
2370011
2085068
2619762
2499083
2552367
2272810
2814014
2509226
2547377
2408529
2187385
2292053
1990051
2724850
2385882
2814962
2712023
2519572
2180399
2817774
368919
2760653
2725086
1413705
2812663
2649406
2551418
2199360
796156
2506836
33842
340932
801698
2724876
2634835
2609246
621978
2531814
2813861
456712
2573153
2273333
2707700
206272
2529531
2653745
2526058
2388809
2811870
2802019
370030
328862
2384797
2818227
2202626
2651850
80608
584852
2526036
2377308
2180289
2513378
2810480
2644220
2735290
2397059
2641607
2378823
2799164
2817969
2619281
2306731
2195933
2640056
2523148
2058759
2806714
2394744
2817410
1994025
2527037
527555
809740
474283
2709619
2708668
2390072
2806436
138207
2635374
415342
2283655
2538509
2717623
2187436
2720300
2802221
2800812
2563953
795348
1193847
2615176
2203378
2541914
2547353
1973972
2733949
2377054
2371762
1024917
2653204
2206734
2211370
2673819
65883
508476
2812581
810004
2187761
551928
1141257
2627581
2362509
2187267
2155384
2362511
2362507
2704336
2370955
971653
176323
2405884
698209
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
Upcoming Events
Patuxent Research Refuge Mentored Deer Hunt
Application Deadline: October 20, 2023 Notification (if accepted): October 25, 2023 Mandatory Orientation: November 12, 2023 Hunt Dates: December 2, 2023 Location: Patuxent Research Refuge and surrounding areas
Apply Here |
The Patuxent Research Refuge 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. No experience is necessary to participate in this event including Hunter Education or a current hunting license. Space is limited and participants will be selected via random lottery. |
First Shot Mentored Deer Hunt
Application Deadline: September 4, 2023 Acceptance Notification: September 11, 2023 Mandatory Orientation Date: October 15, 2023 (Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge) Hunt Dates: October 27, 28, or 29, 2023 Location: Dorchester County, MD (Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding properties) Registration Close |
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. No experience is necessary to participate in this event including Hunter Education or a current hunting license. All participants will be required to attend the mandatory orientation. Space is limited and participants will be selected via random lottery. |