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 threatened/endangered wildlife may be found on the Refuge:

• Southern 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. Note that certain sections of the Wildlife Drive and trails will be closed during parts of hunting season; visit the Hunting Season Closures page for more information.

Contact Hunt Director Allen Johnston at 410-228-5018 for application forms, regulations, and any general questions.

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See hunting dates on Calendar of Events

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LEGAL TO TAKE

Species: White-tailed & Sika Deer

Season bag limits: State bag limits apply. Deer harvested during Refuge hunts except Youth Hunt will count toward the State's regional combined bag limit.
Youth: 1 white-tailed and 1 sika deer, either sex.
Archery: Sika deer: 1 antlered and 1 antlerless. White-tailed deer: 2 either sex, only one may be antlered.
Quota Muzzleloader Hunts (combined total): Sika deer: 1 antlered and 1 antlerless. White-tailed deer: 2 either sex, only one may be antlered.
Non-Quota Muzzleloader: 2 antlerless white-tailed deer
Quota and Non-Quota Shotgun (combined total): Sika deer: 1 antlered and 1 antlerless. White-tailed deer: 2 either sex, only one may be antlered.

Hunting Seasons:
Archery: September 29 - October 17, 2007; October 29 - November 17, 2007; January 12 - January 31, 2008; Area U closed to Archery on November 3, 2007
Quota Muzzleloader: October 19 and October 20, 2007
Non-Quota Muzzleloader: October 25 - October 27, 2007 (3 day white-tailed deer only), December 15, 2007
Youth Hunt: November 3, 2007; Area U and Area B1* closed to Archery
Quota Shotgun: November 26, 2007 and November 30, 2007
Non-Quota Shotgun: December 6 - December 8, 2007

PERMIT LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Each hunter must have the following in his/her possession and display them upon request of any FWS employee or DNR police:

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.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Archery Permit: Prior to September 22 permits can only be obtained through the mail by mailing a check or money order made payable to the Friends of Blackwater for the appropriate amount. The archery permit may be obtained after September 22 at the Refuge Visitor Center on Key Wallace Drive between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily or by mail until the last day of Archery on January 31, 2008. Area U and B1* will be closed to Archery during the Youth Hunt on November 3, 2007. All deer harvested will count toward the State's regional combined bag limits and must be checked in following Maryland State guidelines using the code 543.

Youth, Muzzleloader, and Shotgun Hunts: On July 7, permit applications will be mailed to all hunters who participated in any Refuge hunt within the past three years. Applications will also be available at the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center beginning July 9. All hunters must obtain a permit regardless of age. Permits are non-transferable. Applications will be received ONLY by mail, and not later than October 6 for Muzzleloader Hunt applications, October 22 for Youth Hunt applications, and November 10 for Shotgun Hunt applications. For Youth Hunt Only: In addition to obtaining permits by mail, permits also will be issued to walk-ins on the day of youth hunt at the check-in station.

Permit Application Fees
Archery Application: $20
Quota Muzzleloader: $10
Non-Quota Muzzleloader: $10
Quota Shotgun: $10
Non-Quota Shotgun: $20
Youth Fees: $5 for each type of hunt
First Year Youth Hunter: Free
Note: Golden Age/Senior passes or Golden Access/Access pass-holders fees are reduced by 2.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

1. Check-In/Check-Out Procedures: Only participants possessing authorized permits will be allowed to enter the hunt areas.
   Archery: Check-in and check-out is not required. Deer harvested on Blackwater NWR must be checked in following Maryland State guidelines using the code 543, and will be counted toward the State's regional combined bag limits.
   Youth: Hunters must be at least 10 years old but less than 16 years old to participate and accompanied by a licensed or exempt-from-licensed, unarmed adult, 21 or older. Check-in is required at the designated Refuge check station (see map). The check station will open at 5:00 a.m. A valid hunt permit, proper hunting license, and personal identification will be required at check-in. The accompanying adult must remain with the youth at all times in the field. All deer killed must be properly tagged and presented for examination at the Refuge check station on the day of the kill and will not be counted toward the State's regional combined bag limit.
   Quota Muzzleloader & Shotgun Hunts: Check-in is required at the designated Refuge check station (see map) for the October 19 and 20 Quota Muzzleloader Hunts and November 26 and November 30 Quota Shotgun Hunts. The check station will open at 5:00 a.m. A valid hunt permit, proper hunting license and bonus stamps, and personal identification will be required at check-in. All deer harvested must be properly tagged and presented for examination at the Refuge check station on the day killed and will be counted toward the State's regional combined bag limits.
   Non-Quota Muzzleloader & Non-Quota Shotgun Hunts: Check-in and check-out is not required. However, all deer harvested will count toward the State's regional combined bag limits and must be checked in following Maryland State guidelines using code 543. The Hunt coordinator will be available 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Refuge check station.



2. Wheelchair Bound Hunters: Hunters, including archery hunters, wishing to qualify for disabled permits in Area B1* and Q2* must be permanently wheelchair bound and may be accompanied by a Refuge permitted assistant who may also hunt.



3. Weapons:
   Archery: Bows and arrows according to State of Maryland regulations. Cross bows may only be used during the January 12-January 31, 2008 Archery Hunt unless a state issued cross bow permit is possessed.
   Youth Hunt: Shotguns only, with slugs and/or No. 1 buckshot or larger.
   Muzzleloader Hunt: Muzzleloading rifles and muzzleloading shotguns only, according to State of Maryland regulations.
   Shotgun Hunt: Shotguns only, with slugs and/or No. 1 buckshot or larger.



4. Access: Motorized vehicles are authorized for access only on Area B1* and Q2*, designated roads, and parking areas indicated on hunt maps. All other access is limited to walk-in or bicycles. Access by boat is prohibited. Access by ATVs except Area B1* and Q2* is prohibited.



5. Scouting: No check-in or check-out is required for scouting, and participants may proceed directly to their chosen hunting areas to scout. Firearms or other weapons are not allowed on the Refuge when scouting. Scouting will only be permitted by hunters with a permit on September 28, October 14, October 28, November 18, 2007, and January 11, 2008. Staff will be available at the Refuge Visitor Center from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. for information. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult/guardian age 21 or older.



6. Hunter Orange: A minimum of 400 square inches of solid-colored daylight fluorescent orange clothing must be worn on the head, chest, and back of all hunters during the Refuge's Youth, Muzzleloader, and Shotgun Hunts.



7. Tree Stands: The use of a tree stand that elevates the hunter a minimum of 8 feet above the ground is mandatory for hunting Area B2. Temporary, removable, ladder, fixed, and climbing-type tree stands are permitted and encouraged in all other areas. Tree stands must not damage the tree. Screw in steps, spikes, nails, or other objects that are driven into the tree to gain access to tree stands are prohibited. Strap-on steps are permitted. Hunting from a permanently constructed tree stand is prohibited. Tree stands may be left in the hunting area at the hunter's discretion. The Refuge will not be held responsible for damage, theft, or other hunter occupancy. Tree stands must be removed the last day of the Refuge hunting season. Tree stands can be pre-installed during the scouting days for use during the selected hunts.



8. Other Regulations:
   
   • Pets are prohibited.
   • Only designated game species may be taken and other wildlife may not be molested in any manner.
   • Camping is not permitted.
   • Only contained fire cooking devices are permitted, and these are restricted to designated parking areas.
   • Commercialization (guiding) is not permitted.
   • Baiting is not permitted.
   • Only participants possessing authorized permits will be allowed to enter the hunt areas.
   • Use of alcohol beverages while hunting is prohibited.
   • Driving deer is permitted only on December 7, 8, and 9.
   • Park in designated areas only.
   • Area access and hunter participation can be revoked at discretion of the Refuge.
   • Shooting from and across a roadway where vehicle traffic is allowed, is prohibited.
   • Loaded weapons are prohibited in parking areas or roadways where vehicle traffic is allowed.
   • Check box on application form if interested in receiving information on future turkey hunts or waterfowl hunts.