Credit: USFWS
Hunting Check In
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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:
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:
- Valid Maryland State hunting license and stamps, including
any necessary bonus stamps
- Photo identification
- 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.
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