MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WILDLIFE & HERITAGE SERVICE

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Swanson Creek WMA

Chicken of the sea.

Swanson Creek Wildlife Management Area is located in Charles County, Maryland in Hughesville. This 70 acre WMA was purchased in 2025 and was funded through the Department of Natural Resource’s Program Open Space (POS).

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Habitat Description and Management

Swanson Creek WMA is managed by the Wildlife and Heritage Service. The mission of the Wildlife and Heritage Service is to conserve and enhance diverse wildlife populations and associated habitats while providing for public enjoyment of the State’s wildlife resources through hunting and other wildlife-dependent recreation.

The property includes marsh, forest, and water frontage on Swanson Creek, which flows into the Patuxent River. Characterized by dense forests, open terrain, and a tranquil tidal waterway, Swanson Creek WMA offers both ecological richness and recreational opportunities. The WMA provides critical habitat for all types of wildlife including white-tailed deer, fish, turtles, upland game, forest game, waterfowl, and migratory birds.


Regulations for all Users

Unless otherwise posted or with a permit issued by the Service, on lands and waters owned or controlled by the Wildlife and Heritage Service, it is UNLAWFUL to:

  • Catch, harass, hunt, intentionally disturb, kill, or pursue any wildlife on lands or waters posted as a “Wildlife Sanctuary” or a “Wildlife Refuge.”
  • Operate or possess a vehicle, except for licensed automobiles, boats, motorcycles, or trucks on roads, trails or waterways open to general traffic or specifically posted by the Service.
  • Operate any vehicle in an unsafe manner or cause damage to roads, trails, or other areas.
  • Operate any vehicle on lands or waters while under the influence of any intoxicants.
  • Park a vehicle, unless engaged in a legitimate recreational activity allowed on the property and in a designated parking area. Users must obey posted vehicle quotas and/or hours of operation.
  • Bait or feed wildlife or to hunt, shoot, kill, or attempt to hunt, shoot, or kill any game bird or mammal with the aid of bait.
  • Use or construct permanent blinds or tree stands, or leave temporary tree stands overnight.
  • Ignite, cause to be ignited, or maintain a fire, unless in a designated camping site.
  • Camp, unless in a designated camping site.
  • Trap furbearers (permits issued for certain properties).
  • Remove, disturb, damage, or destroy any portion of a mineral, plant, rock, tree, or nongame animal.
  • Release any animals or plants.
  • Conduct commercial activities.
  • Enter any area posted as “Restricted” or “Closed Against Entry.” The Service may remove and place in storage, at the owner’s expense, a vehicle that remains in a restricted area.
  • Operate, possess, or use combustibles, explosives, or fireworks.
  • Place a geocache.
  • Without a permit from the Office of Archeology, dig for relics and treasures, remove prehistoric or historic artifacts, or use metal detectors.
  • Deposit litter or refuse, including but not limited to animal carcasses, appliances, brush, debris, furniture, garbage, hazardous materials, tires, wastepaper, yard waste, or other litter.
  • Vandalize real property including any blind, building, crop, equipment, gate, habitat, plant, road, sign, trail, vehicle, vessel, or other public property.
  • Interfere with or hinder any Service employee from performing Service-related management activities.
  • Graze cattle, goats, horses, sheep, or other domestic animals.
  • Place decoys earlier than 1 hour before legal shooting hours, leave overnight, or remove later than 1 hour after legal shooting hours.
  • Target shoot, unless at a designated shooting range.

Visitor Information

Swanson Creek WMA is open 24 hours a day, year-round. Currently, vehicle access is restricted to hunters with a daily reservation.

  • Non-hunting users are permitted on the WMA year-round. No permit or reservation is needed. Read section above for Regulations for all Users.
  • Permitted activities include, but are not limited to:
    • Hunting (See restrictions in Hunting Regulations section below)
    • Hiking
    • Fishing
    • Biking on established trails
    • Bird Watching
  • Dogs are welcome but must be leashed from April 15th through August 15th to protect nesting wildlife.
  • Swimming is not advised.
  • Trails are unmanicured dirt, gravel, or grass that can be rough or muddy and may be unsuitable for some users. Users are not required to stay on trails.
  • Maryland’s WMAs are trash-free, no trash cans are provided. Take all trash with you.
  • The WMA has no public bathroom facilities, benches, or picnic tables, please plan accordingly.
  • ​WMAs are managed for wildlife and are home to biting insects and poison ivy. Long pants and bug repellant are recommended.

Contact Information and Directions

Phone: 301-743-5161
Address: 6250 Nana Drive, Hughesville, Maryland 20637
Email: [email protected].


Hunting Regulations

Public hunting on Swanson Creek WMA is permitted during legal hunting seasons. A free permit and reservation is required. Hunting is allowed for all legal game species in accordance with current hunting laws and regulations established by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. See the Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping for current regulations.

  • A Free Public Hunting Permit is required (available on MD Outdoors).
  • Daily reservations are required from September 1st through February 28th and during the Spring Turkey Season. Reservations are made through the Myrtle Grove Wildlife Office by calling 301-743-5161 during office hours.
  • A total of 4 reservations are available each day.
  • Parking is only permitted at the designated parking area. A gate code is required and will be given when a reservation is made.
  • Hunting is permitted Monday through Saturday, year-round. No hunting is allowed on Sundays.
  • Only archery equipment may be used when hunting deer. For all other species, all legal devices allowed in Charles County may be used in the established hunting seasons that allow them.
  • Trapping is allowed by permit only. Swanson Creek WMA is included in the Southern Region Public Lands Trapping Lottery. The online application can be found on the main Southern Region Public Hunting Lands webpage. Any spaces not filled in the lottery are available by inquiring through the Myrtle Grove Wildlife Office at 301-743-5161.
  • Hunting access is permitted day and night; however, overnight camping is not allowed.
  • Swanson Creek WMA does not have any designated waterfowl hunting sites. Hunting waterfowl from the tidal shoreline is not permitted at this time. Waterfowl hunting is permitted in the tidal marsh.
  • ​The Public Land deer and turkey Big Game Check-In code for Swanson Creek WMA is 660.

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