Credit: USFWS Hunting Check In

Waterfowl Hunting at Blackwater

Blackwater Refuge is one of over 540 national wildlife refuges in the United States. The primary objective of a national wildlife refuge is to provide habitat for the conservation and protection of wildlife. The harvest of surplus animals is one tool used to manage wildlife populations. Carefully managed hunts maintain wildlife populations at a level compatible with the environment, provide wholesome recreational opportunities, and permit the use of a valuable, renewable resource.

Hunting on a national wildlife refuge is a privilege and your behavior while participating on a Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge hunt may affect future hunting on refuges. The Refuge provides habitat for several endangered and threatened species. Federal and State laws prohibit any activity that might harm endangered or threatened plants and animals. We believe that these hunts can be conducted without harming any endangered species and have taken certain precautions to make it so. The following protected wildlife may be found on the Refuge:

• Southern American bald eagle
• Delmarva fox squirrel
  (can be mistaken for a gray squirrel)

REMEMBER! Your hunt permit authorizes you to take specified game only. Harming or needlessly disturbing any other wildlife, including any birds, mammals, turtles, frogs, lizards and even poisonous snakes, is a violation of Refuge regulations and is cause for prosecution.

Hunting at Blackwater is on a first come, first serve basis. There is no standby. Typically Blackwater hosts a month of archery, two days of muzzleloader (usually early season), one day for youth hunt, and four days of shotgun. Species hunted are white-tailed deer and sika deer.

When hunting on the Refuge, each hunter must have the following in his/her possession and display them to any FWS employee or DNR police member as requested:

1. Valid Maryland State hunting license and stamps, including any necessary bonus stamps
2. Photo identification
3. Valid Archery, Youth, Muzzleloader, or Shotgun Hunt permit

Read the 2008-2009 Deer Hunt Fact Sheet (PDF file 10KB)

Read the Hunt Regulations (PDF file 20KB)

Contact Allen Johnston at 410-228-5018 for questions and information about Refuge hunts. If you're interested in learning about Duck Stamps, visit our Duck Stamps page for more information.